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| What Happened to Niyyah Hayes on The Traitors: New Blood? Her Life After the Show. |
Niyyah Hayes has been building a career in mental health while pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a doctor, even after her time on Netflix’s The Traitors: New Blood came to an abrupt end. The 29-year-old contestant made a strong impression with her psychology background, measured approach to alliances and ability to read social situations. However, her efforts to stay under the radar could not protect her from the game's most dangerous players.
Since leaving the competition, Hayes has continued working towards a doctorate in clinical psychology, with her professional journey taking her to Indianapolis, Indiana, where she has returned to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Her life outside reality television is rather different from the suspicious conversations and strategic manoeuvres that defined her time on the show.
Hayes became a memorable presence on The Traitors: New Blood because she understood that surviving the game required more than simply accusing people of being dishonest. She initially hoped to become a Traitor herself, believing her personality and psychological knowledge would make her well suited to deception. Describing herself as a Type A individual who could sometimes present as Type B, she appeared confident in her ability to manage different personalities and maintain control of a situation. Unfortunately, the show's selection process had other plans for her.
Instead of receiving the role she wanted, Hayes joined the Faithful and put her academic background to practical use. She focused on building relationships, observing behaviour and identifying suspicious patterns without making herself the centre of every discussion. Her willingness to express her views respectfully helped her earn the trust of other contestants, while her social connections gave her a useful position within the group. In a game where everyone seems to have a theory about everyone else, staying calm can be a valuable skill.
However, Hayes' balanced approach also made her a potential threat. The longer she remained in the competition, the greater the possibility that she could recognise the wrong person at the right time. Her game ended in episode six, when Joe Vanella took the opportunity to target her during a challenge that required a contestant to be murdered in plain sight by giving them an apple. It was an unexpectedly ordinary object to become such a decisive part of a high-stakes game, proving that even a piece of fruit can carry considerably more danger than its nutritional value suggests.
Hayes' departure marked the end of her run on the series, but it did not interrupt the ambitions she had been pursuing long before Netflix came calling. In fact, her professional life has involved years of study, practical experience and work supporting people through difficult circumstances. Reality television might have introduced her to a wider audience, but becoming a doctor has remained the more important long-term goal.
Hayes' interest in medicine began when she was still a child. During her third-grade school years, at around eight or nine years old, she reportedly told others that she wanted to become a doctor when she grew up. Rather than allowing that ambition to become another childhood dream forgotten somewhere between school and adulthood, she continued working towards it through higher education and professional training.
Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Hayes attended Florida Southern College, where she completed dual bachelor's degrees in Criminology and Psychology, graduating in 2019. Her university experience extended beyond lectures and examinations, as she also held several campus positions.
These included Student Development Officer, Southern Ambassador, Student Development Office Assistant, Resident Advisor and Student Development Manager. The roles gave her opportunities to develop communication, organisational and leadership skills while gaining practical experience in an educational environment.
During the final months of her undergraduate studies, Hayes also worked as an investigations intern at the District 10 Public Defender's Office between January and May 2019. The experience added another dimension to her background, bringing together her interest in psychology and her understanding of the systems surrounding people involved in legal proceedings. It also provided a useful foundation for the work she would pursue after completing her first degrees.
Hayes subsequently enrolled at the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Master's degree in Social Work in 2021. Alongside her studies, she gained experience with the Federal Public Defender's Office, working in its Social Work and Investigations unit from August 2019 to March 2020. She also served as a Greek Graduate Coordinator of Residence Life and Education between May 2019 and May 2021. Managing several commitments at once clearly became a recurring feature of her professional life.
Her connection with the US Department of Veterans Affairs began in August 2020, when she entered its Mental Health Intensive Case Management programme as a trainee. The position allowed her to gain experience supporting people with mental health needs, helping her build the practical skills required for a career in clinical services. She continued developing within the organisation after her initial training, eventually moving into a full-time role.
From June 2021 to May 2023, Hayes worked as a Patient-Aligned Care Team Social Worker in the Primary Care Clinic at the Orlando VA. The role involved supporting patients as part of a wider healthcare team, bringing her social work training into a medical setting. She also passed her social work licensure examination in November 2023, another important step in establishing herself professionally.
Her next move took her to the University of Indianapolis, where she began pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. The programme represents another stage in her long-term ambition to become a doctor, although earning a doctorate requires years of academic study and practical training rather than simply adding another qualification to an already impressive CV. If she completes the programme according to her anticipated timeline, she could reach that milestone in 2028.
For now, Hayes continues to combine her studies with professional experience. Since September 2026, she has been back at the VA, working as a Primary Care Mental Health Integration Doctoral Trainee at the Blue Clinic of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. The position connects her doctoral training with real-world healthcare experience, allowing her to continue developing the skills needed for her chosen field.
Her career path also explains why her appearance on The Traitors: New Blood was an interesting change of pace. Instead of spending her days examining patient needs or working alongside healthcare professionals, she found herself analysing conversations, evaluating alliances and deciding whom to trust. The settings could hardly be more different, although understanding people is useful in both. The obvious distinction is that a mistaken judgement in a reality competition can end your game, while professional healthcare demands a much more careful and considered approach.
Despite her demanding career, Hayes appears determined to make room for life outside work and study. Over the past several years, she has lived in four different cities, giving her opportunities to experience new environments and maintain relationships beyond her professional responsibilities. Her approach to personal well-being includes spending time alone, socialising with friends, leaning on family members during difficult periods and making time for activities that have nothing to do with her next academic deadline.
Her family seems to be an important source of support, with Hayes appearing particularly close to her mother. She also enjoys travelling with friends, attending concerts and music festivals, and taking part in different adventures. That balance matters when working in a field that can be emotionally demanding. Even the most determined person needs a break occasionally, and treating every free hour as another opportunity to be productive is a remarkably efficient way to become exhausted.
Travel has given Hayes plenty of opportunities to step away from her professional commitments. In April 2023, she visited London, England, before travelling to Boston in July, the Dominican Republic in September and Las Vegas in October. Her 2024 trips included Winter Park in Colorado in March, New York in July and Mexico in October, with the latter apparently involving a cruise.
In October 2025, Hayes explored Roatán, Honduras, while her more recent travels took her to Toronto, Canada, in October 2026. During her visit, she tackled the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower, an experience that involves walking along an exposed ledge high above the city while secured by safety equipment. It is hardly the sort of activity that appeals to everyone, particularly those who prefer their sightseeing with both feet firmly planted on a pavement. Hayes, however, appeared willing to take on the challenge.
Her interest in adventure sits alongside a softer side, particularly when it comes to animals. Hayes previously had two cats named Fred and George Weasley, after the mischievous twin brothers from the Harry Potter franchise. Sadly, George died in October 2024 after spending 13 years with her. Losing a pet after so many years together can leave a considerable gap in everyday life, and the name of her surviving memories of their time together reflects the affection she had for them.
There is something refreshing about Hayes' story beyond the reality television headlines. Her appearance on The Traitors: New Blood offered viewers a glimpse of someone who could analyse people, build relationships and adapt to an unfamiliar environment, but her life away from the programme shows a more substantial kind of determination. She has pursued multiple qualifications, worked in demanding professional settings and continued towards a doctorate while making room for travel, friendships and family.
That is considerably more complicated than simply being good at a game of suspicion. Her career also highlights the importance of practical experience, especially in mental health, where academic knowledge must be matched by patience and an understanding of people's needs. Of course, no contestant's television performance tells us everything about their character, and it would be unfair to treat reality television as a complete picture of someone's life. Still, Hayes has plenty of achievements beyond the screen, and her next professional chapter may prove more rewarding than any competition.
So, where is Niyyah Hayes now? She is continuing her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the University of Indianapolis while working with the VA in Indianapolis, keeping her childhood ambition firmly in sight. Although her time on The Traitors: New Blood ended in episode six, her professional journey is still progressing, with 2028 representing a potential milestone if she completes her doctorate on schedule.
For viewers who enjoyed watching her navigate the competition, her story offers a reminder that contestants have lives, goals and ambitions long after the cameras stop rolling. What did you think of Hayes' strategy on the show, and were you surprised by how her journey ended? Share your thoughts on her gameplay and tell us whether you would have trusted her in the castle.