At Least Rob Rausch Has His Fridge Knife

Rob Rausch might have shot to fame for playing a perfect game of The Traitors in the cool, moody Scottish Highlands. But these days, he’s relishing the warmth of an Alabama spring — Zooming in from outside, shirtless, snake tattoos a-blazing. “As you can see, I’m enjoying the sun right now,” he says. “The cold depresses me, so just being out in the warmth, grabbing myself a Sonic Berry Citrus Refresher — couldn’t be happier.”

There’s been plenty of buzz around the 27-year-old since his victorious run on the Peacock competition series in February. As he asks in a playful spot about Sonic’s fruity, green-tea-infused Refreshers, “How are you not sick of me yet? I’m sick of me.”

The ad (which features a surprise appearance by Traitors Season 3 winner Dylan Efron) actually filmed in Rob’s home state of Alabama, which he calls a “gracious” move. “I was in a buddy’s wedding recently down in Gulf Shores, and it was the most fun I’ve had in six months,” Rob says. “It just made me realize, Man, this is what’s really important. Just spending time with people you love and enjoying the relationships that you have. Like, all this other stuff really does not matter.”

The fan-favorite Traitor has been open about his ambivalence surrounding the opportunities that accompany his new (and adoring) limelight. Fans have rallied, for example, for Rob to parlay his snake-wrangling physicality into a Dancing With the Stars run — a suggestion Dylan seems to hint at in the ad.

Rob doesn’t say if he’d be down for the job, but says he and Dylan — a DWTS Season 34 alum — did talk about it. “He said it was really fun,” Rob says. “It was a cool experience.” He also weighs in on rumors that his Traitors castmate Maura Higgins might be up for The Bachelorette, sharing: “Whatever makes her happy.”

Regardless of what Rob’s next move may be, he’s currently savoring some much-needed downtime. Below, he opens up about his latest hyper-fixations, crying over New Girl, and why he thinks everyone should have a fridge knife. (I’ll let him explain.)

The Fast Follow With Rob Rausch

What’s the weirdest internet rabbit hole you’ve gone down recently?

You know Zara Larsson? I had been hearing her music, and I saw this video about how she revived her career based on this dolphin meme. And then I went on a three-hour deep dive. I don’t know why — I get really hyper-fixated on things sometimes, and I just learn everything I can about it. And I was so interested in how she was able to completely bring her entire career back. It started with that, and then she did the thing with PinkPantheress and everything.

What’s your nichest, most underground fave TV show or movie?

The Big Lez Show. It was a show made by a guy in [Australia] who animated and voice-acted it himself. He might have had a few people who helped him, but it was all on YouTube. It was about Sasquatches who terrorized this guy named Lez and made him do drugs and stuff. It was a weird show, but it was really funny.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve cried at in a movie or TV show?

One time I was on a flight, and I was a little wine-drunk, and I was watching New Girl, the episode where Cece tells Schmidt that she’s pregnant, and I cried. It was so sweet. I just shed a tear, and I was like, This is just a beautiful moment.

What’s your most reread book?

I’ve read a few books twice — Greenlights, The Hobbit, and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

What song or artist is the soundtrack to your life?

Dominic Fike. He’s been one of my top artists forever.

What’s in your fridge right now?

I actually have a standby Sonic Refresher. They’re so yummy and delicious. And then I have Celsius, and some eggs. I have eggs for breakfast. You ever drink an egg?

I haven’t.

Best way to do it.

What’s a topic you could give a PowerPoint presentation on with a moment’s notice?

Reptiles, amphibians, definitely. Probably motorcycles — how to wheelie a motorcycle. Maybe woodworking, how to start a fire with flint.

What’s the weirdest or most surprising hobby you’ve ever picked up?

Oh, gosh, I have so many hobbies. Maybe Rubik’s Cube, ceramics, and sewing.

What’s the most specific gift you’ve ever received?

I’ve never been gifted a knife and not smiled ear to ear. My dad did give me a really good knife for Christmas.

What’s something you’ve tried to evangelize your friends on?

Everybody should have a fridge knife. It’s a large — typically a bowie — knife that you put on top of your fridge.

Is that for, like, intruders?

I mean, it’s there. And you probably will never use it. But I can’t tell you how many times I’m like, Man, I just want to hold my fridge knife. I’m gonna go hold my knife a little bit, swing it around a couple times, put it back on the fridge.

It makes me feel safe, you know? Once you get used to having a knife on top of the fridge, you’re like, OK, well, at least I have my fridge knife. You watch a scary movie, you’re like, Well, I have my fridge knife. It’s just a sense of security you can’t match.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.