Netflix’s new reality competition series The Circle has taken off in a serious way and became an instant smash hit. Executive producer Tim Harcourt made a point to cast a very diverse bunch of characters, noting he wanted the show to be nothing like Real Housewives or Jersey Shore where the cast all fit into similar backgrounds. The Circle contestants are a medley of unique individuals from entirely different backgrounds, but it’s their varying personalities really make them compelling.
Thirteen contestants (plus Tammy!) participated in The Circle, and there’s no better way to analyze their identities than to assign them each a Meyers-Briggs personality type, so let’s dive into these zany contenders!
Alana: ESFP “The Performer”
Alana made it known within 1.2 seconds that she was a bathing suit and lingerie model, and feels natural as the center of attention. Alana matches the personality of an ESFP, which are usually popular and well-liked. Alana is gregarious, adventure-seeking, and an overall people-person, traits of a typical ESFP, known as “The Performer.”
These Performers can also be distracted too quickly, easily bored, and impulsive, which all describe Alana! Idealistic and good-natured, she had faith her competitors would believe she was who she said she was, but, unfortunately, revealing herself as a model led to her demise.
Karyn a.k.a. “Mercedeze”: ISFP “The Artist” & ISTJ “The Inspector”
Karyn is probably the most difficult personality to pin down. While she deceived the other contestants throughout the game by playing “Mercedeze, “she promised Chris during her exit that she was 100% Karyn in every other way. Karyn seems like an ISFP, which exhibits strong values and beliefs, a keen awareness of their environment, and a disdain for confrontation—all qualities of a true catfish!
By contrast, “Mercedeze” is much more feisty and confrontational—an ISTJ, “The Inspector.” Inspectors are focused on the present, observant, and organized, but can also be judgmental, insensitive, and blame others. “Mercedeze” tried to throw others under the bus to further hide her true identity! Fun fact: The real “Mercedeze” reached out to Karyn after the show, and the two are now friends!
Chris: ENFP “The Champion”
Chris is one of the season’s standout characters, an instant fan-favorite. ENFPs exhibit a great deal of empathy and warmth, much like Chris. They are communicative, caring, spontaneous, and highly creative—we saw Chris’ creative prowess shine during the cake decorating challenge!
While ENFPs have a plethora of positive traits, they can also be overly sensitive, tend to overthink things, and get easily stressed out. Chris wears his heart on his sleeve and reacted dramatically to a lot of the game’s revelations.
Shubham: INTP “The Thinker”
Shubham was clearly the brain from the very beginning and has quite an impressive resume: a UCLA graduate, a virtual reality designer, and he even ran for governor of California in 2018, with a platform to destroy social media! Shubham is an INTP, described as logical, objective, abstract thinkers who think before they act.
INTPs are labeled as “The Thinker” because they value intellect over emotion, and, once they trust someone, they can be loyal to a fault. Shubham admits to sacrificing his own game to Joey, his number one ally throughout the game.
Sammie: ESFJ “The Caregiver”
Sammie came in tough as nails, but, behind that titanium exterior, she’s a tender-hearted, sensitive soul who works with developmentally disabled children. The ESFJ archetype describes her perfectly, portrayed as “The Caregiver." ESFJs can be defined as dependable, loyal, considerate, and helpful. They can also be sensitive to criticism, which Sammie admits to during the ‘Rivals’ game in the penultimate episode.
Sammie mentioned she made most of her decisions in the game based on her instincts and snap judgments, which encapsulates the qualities of a true ESFJ.
Antonio: ESTJ “The Director”
As a successful athlete, Antonio has always felt in charge of his life, akin to an ESTJ, known as “The Director.” They both have strong morals and expect others to uphold similar principles and beliefs. Remember Antonio’s unnerved face when others admitted to peeing in the shower?
Antonio is hard-working, self-confident, and a strong leader, much like an ESTJ. These “Directors” can also be stubborn and argumentative, which Antonio began to show through his feud with Joey during his short stint on The Circle.
Seaburn a.k.a. “Rebecca”: INFP “The Mediator”
Seaburn entered The Circle as a catfish using his girlfriend Rebecca’s photos. He declared that playing as a woman would give him an upper hand and the ability to tap into emotions much more than a man would be able to. Seaburn insists he was genuinely himself the entire game, so both he and Rebecca would be INFPs. Known as “The Mediator,” INFPs are sensitive, loyal, and considerate of people’s feelings.
They can also tend to take things personally, be reserved and/or shy, and be difficult to get to know, which viewers saw firsthand as “Rebecca” had a hard time opening up at first.
Sean: ENFJ “The Commander”
Sean came into the game using her good friend’s photos, worried that her true identity as a larger woman wouldn’t benefit her gameplay. Unlike any of the other catfish this season, Sean decided to reveal her true self to the contestants halfway through her game, displaying a great amount of bravery and courage, which harmonize with the ENFJs role as “The Commander.”
ENTJ’s are also confident and trust their intuition and instincts. Sean explained that she only catfished at first because she knows how ruthless social media can be. But, in real life, she’s full of tenacity and pride, knowing she doesn’t need to hide behind someone else’s photos.
Joey: ESTP “The Persuader”
Bro-ey Joey! Love him or hate him, Joey definitely has a distinct personality. A straight-shooter with wonderful charisma and fiery energy makes Joey an ESTP, known as “The Persuader." ESTPs are adaptable, resourceful, action-oriented, and influential.
Joey was a top contender from the beginning, and every other contestant agreed. Joey was able to persuade and influence his opponent’s decisions while remaining jovial and seemingly harmless. Though incredibly authentic and personable, ESTPs can also be competitive, which suitably helped Joey win the game!
Alex a.k.a. “Adam”: INFJ “The Advocate” & ISRP “The Crafter”
Alex, better known in the game as “Adam," played a duplicitous game, so it’s hard to tell what Alex’s genuine personality type would be versus Adam’s in-game demeanor.
While Adam is extroverted and much more provocative than Alex IRL, Alex is more reserved and sensible. Real-life Alex fits the INFJ personality type, which values deep relationships (ex: his 11-year-long relationship with his wife) and is sensitive to the needs of others, known as “The Advocate." In contrast, the contrived-superstar Adam is an ISRP, which tend to be much more action-driven, self-confident, and have commitment issues, unlike married Alex.
Miranda: ENTP “The Debater”
Miranda had an uphill battle coming into the game later than the first eight contestants. Her bubbly demeanor helped her formed connections with others fast, making her an ENTP—otherwise called “The Debator."
Miranda definitely debated in The Circle, defending her identity to be true. She made a romantic connection with Joey and was ultimately eliminated halfway through. Though the pair aren’t officially dating, they still have plans to go out and they talk every day.
Bill: INTJ “The Architect”
Basic Bill remained under the radar throughout his time on The Circle. Reserved, quick-to-judge, and rational in his decision-making, Bill is an INTJ, sometimes called “The Architect.” He called out the OG contestants for their smarmy fakeness, claiming they were afraid to speak the truth.
Ed & Tammy: ENFJ “The Giver” & ISFJ “The Protector”
Ed and his mom made quite the impact on viewers, who got a first-look into two contestants playing as one. Ed, an ENFJ, is outgoing, encouraging, and organized, demonstrated by his methodical note-taking. ENFJ’s can also be approval-seeking and indecisive.
Conversely, Ed’s mama Tammy exemplifies traits of an ISFJ, a.k.a.“The Protector," which makes sense considering her role as a mother. ISFJs are sensitive, reliable, and have an eye for detail.
