Reality television legend “Boston” Rob Mariano is proving that true friendship extends beyond the game when he opened up about supporting fellow competitor Dylan Efron through his “Dancing With The Stars” adventure. The bond between these two reality stars, forged during their time on “The Traitors,” has blossomed into a genuine friendship.
The “Survivor” icon’s protective instincts kicked in early when he witnessed Efron’s Week 1 performance on the ABC competition series. The construction worker turned reality star didn’t hold back his honest assessment of the song selection, telling Page Six, “After the first one, I was like, ‘We got to talk about the song choices because that ‘Milkshake’ … [I] was not coming to the yard.”
Despite his candid critique, Mariano’s intentions remain firmly rooted in helping his friend succeed. The four-time Survivor competitor has been actively coaching Efron on the nuances of reality television performance, sharing wisdom gained from over two decades in the business. “I think he’s like really embracing it,” Mariano noted about Efron’s attitude toward the competition. “Dylan’s a great dude and he just, you know, I think he’s taking it and learning, you know, as he goes and he’s doing great.”
The Massachusetts native stressed the importance of playing to both judges and audiences, explaining his strategic advice to Efron. “I cut him down. I said, ‘Listen, bro. The show’s not over ’til it’s over. Even after the dance, you look at the judges, make sure you smile. I want to see some fist pumps like this show’s still going,'” Mariano shared during his “Virtual Reali-Tea” appearance.
Strategic Friendship Built on Competition
Their connection goes beyond typical reality show alliances, built on what Mariano describes as “a shared sense of adventure and competition.” The pair discovered their chemistry during “The Traitors,” where strategic gameplay and social dynamics create intense bonds between contestants. “I mean, it just kind of like, we just vibe based on, you know, like, like we both have a shared sense of adventure and competition,” Mariano explained.
Mariano’s competitive nature has made him an ideal mentor for Efron’s “Dancing With The Stars” journey. When asked about potentially joining “DWTS” himself, Mariano’s ambitious instincts emerged: “I mean, see, that’s the thing about me is I’m so competitive by nature. If I do it, I’ll wanna win.”
Recent dinners with Efron’s professional partner, Daniella Karagach, and her husband, Pasha, have given Mariano insight into the ballroom world. “We had dinner, uh, the other night in LA with Dylan’s partner, Daniella,” Mariano shared. “And she’s like, don’t worry, I’ll get you.” Despite Karagach’s encouragement that she could teach him to dance, Mariano remains skeptical about his own potential on the show, admitting he has “not one ounce” of rhythm.
The strategic mind that made Mariano a reality TV legend is now focused on helping Efron navigate the competition. “I love the way he’s doing. He’s on top now,” Mariano observed about his friend’s progress. “We talked strategy the other day, like there, oh, there are a few. There’s strategy, definitely look at, he’s on, it’s a tough season there, right? There’s a lot of good dancers.”
Looking Ahead: Friendship Beyond Competition
While Mariano continues supporting Efron from the sidelines, their friendship has sparked speculation about future collaborations. The duo reportedly has an unscripted project in development, suggesting their partnership extends well beyond their reality television origins. When discussing watching Efron rehearse, Mariano admitted the difficulty of what his friend faces daily: “I was in the rehearsal with them and I was watching it and I was like, this would be impossible for me.”
Efron joined “Dancing With The Stars” to fulfill his mother’s dream of seeing a family member compete on the show, originally intended for his famous brother Zac. This personal motivation has only strengthened Mariano’s commitment to seeing his friend succeed.
As Week 6 approaches and competition intensifies, Mariano’s mind remains focused on keeping Efron in contention. “I told him just stay in the top half,” the Boston native revealed, applying survival game theory to ballroom competition. He recognizes the challenge ahead: “Right now that he’s at the top, everybody’s gonna be gunning for him.”
