As a funeral director, Whitney Greene, 38, is not used to being the centre of attention. “Funeral directors aren’t supposed to get recognition or applause because we’re there to be a pillar of strength for those who are grieving, to guide the way as people farewell their loved ones.”
But having just appeared in the second series of Three’s popular show The Traitors NZ, Whitney’s had to adjust to being centre stage.
“I was ecstatic to be cast on The Traitors because I love reality TV,” she admits. “I was also fortunate to have some acting experience to draw on because after leaving high school, I did a Diploma in Performing Arts at Hagley Theatre School.”
Life at home
Because acting can be a problematic path, prior to finding her calling in the funeral trade, Whitney worked in retail.
“I’d been exposed to death as a teenager through my uncle, who was a funeral director in Australia. In the back of my mind, I always knew that’s what I wanted to do. But you need life experience before you can do this work. It’s all about timing.”
Which is why, after moving from Christchurch to the Central Otago town of Cromwell two and a half years ago, Whitney felt ready when an opportunity presented itself.
“I’d just got divorced when I landed my dream job down there as a funeral director,” she explains. “It was a case of one door closing and another one opening.”
Talking to Whitney, it’s clear she’s delighted with her new life. “There is joy to be found being part of a person’s final send-off. I also love living in a small rural town. I couldn’t tell you the last time I stopped at a traffic light!”
Living in Cromwell also means Whitney is closer to her mum Pam.
“If I compare myself to where I was before to where I am now, I’m a different person. I certainly wouldn’t have been strong enough to go on reality TV before moving to Cromwell.”
Grateful for the many lessons life has taught her, Whitney knew she’d need a clever strategy if she was to survive on The Traitors.
“As a funeral director, my job is 70 percent listening, so that was one thing I tried to do. I also wanted to build trust with the other players, then in the evenings, I’d sit in my room and try to figure things out.”
Traitor Whitney reveals
But when the Traitors were chosen, with Whitney among them, the game went from being fun to overwhelming.
“I’d wake in the middle of the night with my mind racing. Who’s talking to whom? Who walked away after talking to me and where did they go? What did people say to me and who did they talk to next? My senses were on full alert the whole time.”
Even though Whitney found the Traitors experience exhausting, she loved finding out what she was capable of.
“Filming the Traitors’ scenes was a real highlight,” she tells. “To build rapport and know who was a Traitor and who was Faithful.”
Like many of her fellow players, Whitney prepared by watching previous seasons from around the world.
“I really thought about my game plan, my strengths and weaknesses, but I’m not good at confrontation and in the end, that was my downfall.”
When Whitney was banished in the fifth episode, she was amazed how deeply the mental challenges affected her physically.
“You can’t turn off the stress,” she tells. “When you watch the show at home and hear people say how hard it is, you can’t understand what they mean until you’re in there.”
A happy ending
Understandably, Whitney was worn out when she was finally released. “Being able to be myself again and not have to watch everything I said and did, I cried tears of relief on the way home when I let go of that big secret.”
Whitney is still pleased with how she coped in the pressure-cooker show.
“If I was to change anything, I’d remember to look inside the Traitors’ circle and not just outside because I considered every contestant except my fellow Traitors. But overall, I’m glad I was true to myself and played a truthful game.”
The Traitors NZ screens 7pm Mondays and Tuesdays on Three and ThreeNow.
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