Maia Gouveia

Maia Gouveia is a Faithful in The Traitors (UK)/Series 3.

Profile[]

Retrieved from BBC:

Age: 25
Occupation: Full-time Mum
Location: Essex

Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I binge watched the last series when it aired, and I was so invested. I always thought to myself, I could do it better. I literally was thinking you guys aren't lying properly, you're not lying correctly, there are too many emotions going on, this is money. So yeah, one was that I felt like I could do it better. Second one was the money. My daughter is going to nursery soon and that's expensive. It's like having a mortgage, so that was also a motivator.

I am also a very competitive person in general. Growing up, I was a natural liar. And then I stopped lying, because my family said it was getting really bad. I would always blame my sisters. So, I went the opposite way and I got really, really blunt instead. And it was blunt on the borderline of being rude. So, I’ve had to learn how to assess what's good to say, what's not good to say. Now I'm kind of excited to be able to lie again, if I’m being honest! I'm excited to be able to twist some stories and make up things and that will be kind of fun.

What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I think I'm a very happy, positive, bubbly person. And I get along with most people that I meet. I feel like I'd be able to really make some good connections and good friends with everyone. I also say everything that is on my mind.

I also used to do cheerleading so I'm good when it comes to the Missions, I know I'll be able to run around, even though I'm not a gym person at all. I don't mind getting stuck in. I'm a good team player, I'm all about making teams and forming groups.

What did you think of the previous series?
I was really, really heavily invested last year. I felt like everyone was too emotional. They were getting rid of people that they didn't like, and I was thinking, guys, it's okay to not get along with people. I think that's why I’ll be better because even though I might not 100% gravitate towards you, if you're getting money in for the Missions then you’ve got to stay. We've got to be focused on trying to get the prize pot as high as we possibly can, so we get the full 120 grand.

Was there anyone’s game plan you admired?
Harry, he was the one who made me want to get on the show. Harry reminded me of me, because he's very friendly. He didn't do too much, which I liked because you don't have to be the centre of attention, which was great. Everyone underestimated him, and I feel like a lot of people underestimate me as well. I feel like I've never been the brightest person, but I've always been creative and personable, and that's what it felt like with Harry. With him as well, even though we don't speak all proper and fancy, we are very personable and people gravitate towards us naturally, and they just end up believing what we say. Harry was just the perfect Traitor.

Do you have a game plan?
My game plan is to act dumb, but not too dumb. If you’re too dumb they're wondering what's the purpose of you being here! I can't just sit on that Round Table and not have an opinion. I have to twist everything to make it seem like I'm really, really upset. And I've done that a lot in my life. So, acting dumb, but also, I think being good at the Missions. I'm going to try my hardest in the Missions because people need to see that you're a team player, and that you're actually trying.

When you’re playing games with family and friends are you competitive?
I am definitely competitive. But I like the fact that we don’t take it too seriously, have a little game and then if we lose, we lose. If we win, we win. But I do want to win!

Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I'm not the most athletic person. I don't go to the gym, I think especially after having a baby the athleticism is out the window. I can't even touch my toes anymore, but I try my best at everything. I will try so hard and make sure that everyone is happy and make sure that everyone is getting involved. I am a good leader because I'm very good at assigning roles. I'm very good at seeing your strengths and putting you in the right positions, making sure people are motivated and that you don't get too upset if things don't go your way.

If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I would love to be a Traitor. It's better to be a Traitor than to be a Faithful because I don't think I can deal with every night thinking am I going to die tonight? I don't want to split the money. I want the money to be mine. Normally I'm not selfish when it comes to these things but when it comes to providing for my family, nothing will come between that. Not one thing. Being a Traitor, that would be my dream.

Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?
Definitely. I think because I'm always smiling you can't really tell the difference. So, these eyes might be sinister, but you might not know.

If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
As far as I possibly can go.

If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I think, first of all, I would try and sniff out who the Traitors are. I would try and be pleasant with everyone, get in each group and see who's moving a little bit different from day one. When you meet them on that train, you can see who people naturally are. And then when they find out who the Traitor is, everyone starts switching up, maybe a bit more talkative, or quieter. I think that's why I'll be analysing people so much. I don't think Traitors will want to get rid of people that are good at earning them money, so, I would need to be as good as I possibly can be in those games to earn as much money for the team as well.

How good are you at spotting a liar?
I always know when someone is lying. And body language, body language is so strong. if you're uncomfortable, even little things like your knees might not be pointing towards me, you'd be pointing toward the door if you're uncomfortable. If you’re not looking at me in the eye when you're telling me that lie, then I'm like, where are you looking? Where's your brain right now? If you don't respond quick enough and I feel like I asked the right questions, I'll just keep on going until I find out if that story is true or not.

If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I can’t be too questioning, can't be too conniving. I don't want to blend too much into the background. I feel like there's always a hierarchy. There are always the really popular people and then there are the people just below. That’s where I'm trying to be; just the one right below, not too quiet, just in the middle. Kind of like a Mollie because Mollie did just really slide right into the end. I don't even think she even had a game plan. I think she was just authentically being herself because she's just a sweet girl. I think that's my plan for a Faithful is to just blend in, but also be friendly and try to befriend the popular people.

If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I would put down a deposit for a house. My plan, just in general with life is that I kind of want to disappear off the face of the earth. I want to live in the countryside, I want to have a very quiet life. And then if I have anything left over, I’ve got a lot of debts to sort out, and then I would go on a nice little holiday. I've always wanted to go to Bali, because of Eat, Pray, Love.^[1]

Gameplay[]

Game History[]

Episode	1	1-2	2	3	4
Traitors' Decision	N.A.	Survived	Survived	N.A.	Murdered
Shield Wins	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	Lost	N.A.
Banishment Vote	No Vote	Anna	Elen	Freddie	N.A.
Voted With Group?		No	Yes	No
Votes Received		-	-	Francesca