Entertainment

Who's Who on Season 2 of Netflix's 'The Circle'

Who's a catfish this season? Is Lance Bass REALLY one of the contestants??

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

The Circle is back! THE CIRCLE IS BACK! Netflix’s weirdest and best reality show has finally returned, giving us the perfect quarantine analog to spend what is hopefully the last few months of the pandemic watching. Season 2 of the endlessly entertaining social media competition kicked off this week with its first four episodes (the show will be dropping multiple episodes every Wednesday for the next couple of weeks, so mark your calendars), and things are already off to a dramatic start. We’ve had a few backs stabbed, a few tentative alliances formed, and the addition of one very, very famous ’90s boy band member to kick things into gear. Here is a master list of all the cast members on the show so far, which of them have been blocked from The Circle already, and which of them are playing as sneaky, sneaky catfish.

Mild spoilers for the first four episodes follow. 

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

“Emily,” a.k.a. Jack

Jack, who is playing the game pretending to be his sorority girl friend Emily, is relying on strategy and manipulation to get ahead, and so far has done pretty well for himself by remaining a neutral player and general supporter of all the women in the Circle. No one in any of the “girls only” group chats has sussed him out yet, thinking they’re telling their deepest darkest secrets to sweet, angelic Emily, lover of hot tubs, boozy brunches, and the New York Giants (which weirded out “Trevor”). If Jack goes down in Circle history as a villain, he won’t be mad.

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

“Trevor,” a.k.a. Deleesa

Deleesa is going into The Circle not only pretending to be her husband Trevor, but also pretending he’s a single father, banking on the DILF energy to get the girls on his side, and his more approachable exterior to bro out with the guys. “Trevor” already has a romance blooming with another contestant, which has kept Deleesa safe through two rounds of eliminations.

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

Terilisha

Math teacher Terilisha has plotted out the perfect strategy to go far in The Circle, cutthroat and savvy, and already has her eye on “Trevor,” whose vibe just seems off. She was the first top influencer in the Circle, which led to a bit of a flame war with Savannah, dividing alliances after the first blocking.

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

“River,” a.k.a. Lee

58-year-old author Lee is a veteran catfish, having written a ton of books under a female pen name. In The Circle, he’s playing as “River,” a 20-something friend of his. Lee’s version of “River” is a gay man who recently went through heartbreak, which is sure to earn him plenty of sympathy points from both the girls and the guys. Lee’s a little shaky with the hashtags but his poetry slam poem (yes, one of the challenges was a poetry slam) was pretty impressive.

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

Chloe

If Essex native Chloe looks familiar to you, that’s because she already competed on another Netflix reality show, Too Hot To Handle. She’s bringing her “BAAAAABES” catchphrase to The Circle this season, along with her patchy knowledge of ’90s boy bands and American-British historical relations. Her straightforwardness is a fun foil among the roundabout Americans: She’s annoyed by Emily’s indecisiveness about picking sides and already has a budding romance with Trevor, which would be great news for Chloe except for the fact that Trevor is married… and also not Trevor at all. She’ll be proper gutted when she figures that one out.

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

Courtney

While Courtney is using his real name and identity on The Circle, he’s keeping his job as an Internet mini-celebrity and pop-culture aficionado a secret, pretending to be a nobody barista instead to keep the other players from paying too much attention to him. Four episodes in, he’s amassed a veritable conspiracy wall of factoids he’s picked up about the other players. Courtney might be one to watch out for, especially since he’s the first player to be granted access to the “Inner Circle” in episode 4’s big cliffhanger ending.

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

“Lance Bass” a.k.a. Lisa

The first new person to join after the initial blocking, the *NSYNC boyband member is actually being played by Lisa-who is genuinely Lance’s personal assistant, so if any of the contestants try to catch “Lance” out with any trick questions, Lisa is probably going to know. I don’t think any of the players really believe it’s the real Lance Bass behind that profile, but it might be a good idea to keep even a fake boy band member on your side.

Blocked:

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

Bryant

Oh, Bryant. It’s always the genuine ones who end up getting booted first!! The breathwork instructor came with the intention to spread love and make friends (#LoyalLads), which is never a good idea if you’re a contestant on a reality show. Though the Circle crew thought he was a sweet guy, especially hitting their soft spots when a game revealed that he had raised $10,000 to get a friend off the street, he just wasn’t a game player.

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix

Savannah

Savannah, a research scientist, self-titled #DataDaddy, and source of chaos, took a risk by revealing her Influencer spat with Terilisha over who to save in the first blocking-choosing to to go bat for “Trevor,” having connected as the daughter of a single parent, over the #GirlGang-to the other players too early, allowing Terilisha to do some damage control and win enough of the other contestants to her side.

Emma Stefansky is a staff entertainment writer at Thrillist. Follow her on Twitter @stefabsky.

Entertainment

Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2023 in Australia

And what it means to be in the year of the Rabbit.

where to celebrate lunar new year australia

Starting with the new moon on Sunday, January 22, this Lunar New Year ushers in the year of the Rabbit. We’ve put together a guide on celebrating the Lunar New Year in Australia.

What is special about the year of the Rabbit?

As you might know, each year has an animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac, which is based on the moon and has a 12-year cycle. This year, we celebrate the year of the rabbit, known to be the luckiest out of all twelve animals. It symbolises mercy, elegance, and beauty.

What celebrations are taking place and how can I get involved?

There are plenty of festivals happening all around the country which you can get involved with. Here they are per state.

New South Wales

Darling Harbour Fireworks
When: Every year, Sydney puts on a fireworks show, and this year, you can catch it on January 28 and February 4 at 9 pm in Darling Harbour.

Dragon Boat Races
When: Witness three days of dragon boat races and entertainment on Cockle Bay to usher in the Lunar New Year. The races will commence on January 27 and finish on January 29.

Lion Dances
When: Catch a traditional Lion Dance moving to the beat of a vigorous drum bringing good luck and fortune for the Lunar New Year. The dance performances will happen across Darling Harbour on Saturday, January 21, Sunday, January 22, and Sunday, February 4 and 5, around 6 pm and 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at Cirrus Dining
When: Barangaroo’s waterfront seafood restaurant, Cirrus, is celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with a special feast menu. Cirrus’ LNY menu is $128pp with optional wine pairing and is available from Saturday, January 21, to Sunday, February 5.

Auntie Philter
When: Hello Auntie’s owner and executive chef, Cuong Nguyen will be dishing out some of the most classic Vietnamese street foods with his mum, Linda. All of Philter’s favourites will be on offer, as well as Raspberry Pash Beer Slushies and other cocktails being served at the Philter Brewing rooftop bar on Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, January 29.

Victoria

Lunar New Year Festival
When: Ring in the Lunar New Year with food, music, arts, and more on Sunday, January 22, from 10 am to 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at the National Gallery of Victoria
When: Celebrate the year of the rabbit at the National Gallery of Victoria’s festival of art, food, and art-making activities for everyone from 10 am-5 pm.

Queensland

BriAsia Festival
When: From February 1-19, Brisbane will come alive with performances, including lion dances and martial arts displays. There will be street food, workshops, comedy and more.

South Australia

Chinatown Adelaide Street Party
When: Adelaide is set to hose a fun-filled day celebrating the Chinese New Year on Saturday, January 28, from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Western Australia

Crown Perth
When: Across January and February, Crown Perth hosts free live entertainment, including colourful lion dances, roving mascots, and drumming performances. The restaurants will also throw banquets and menus dedicated to the Lunar New Year.

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