Why Eddie Murphy's daughter Shayne didn't tell the comedy icon about 'Claim to Fame' stint

In a Cole-hearted move, “Claim to Fame” contestant Shayne was axed from ABC’s summer game show Monday, after being outed by someone she thought was an ally.

As cast member Gabriel pointed out in the episode, Shayne understood her housemates had connected the dots to her famous relative. Shayne is the fifth of Eddie Murphy’s 10 children, and his third with ex-wife and model Nicole Mitchell Murphy.

“So (Shayne’s) been flirting real, real good with Cole, and she has Cole wrapped around her finger!” Gabriel said of the influencer’s scheme. “She’s cuddling and snuggling with him, and Cole has definitely fallen for it.”

It’s not a bad strategy to stay in the game and still have a chance at the $100,000 awarded to the contestant who successfully conceals their identity for the entire season. It just didn’t work. While Cole admitted to finding Shayne “absolutely stunning,” it turns out he wasn’t wrapped so tightly around her digit. During Monday’s guessing ceremony, Cole identified Shayne’s celebrity relative (he wasn’t 100% sure he knew rival Karsyn’s connection.)

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Members of the cast expressed shock. “That was your girlfriend; that’s nuts!” Monay said.

“I’m surprised you didn’t get a slap in the face, dude,” Chris added.

But Shayne, 28, tells USA TODAY, “Cole and I were playing the game.” In an interview, she reveals why she wasn’t entirely surprised by her exit and what her famous father is like at home. (Edited for length and clarity.)

Question: Did you run your appearance on “Claim to Fame” by your dad?

Shayne Murphy: I didn’t. My dad is very trusting of the decisions that I make and very supportive. I didn’t know that I was going to even be on the show until, maybe, two days before we were scheduled to start filming. And I hadn’t told him about it until that point. So he was a little surprised, I’m sure, but he’s very supportive.

What was it like growing up with Eddie Murphy as your dad?

I know everyone knows him as this incredible entertainer, and he’s so talented at what he does. But that really just scratches the surface of who he is, because he’s really an incredible dad, the best dad in the world. He’s one of the kindest people I know. Obviously, one of the funniest, most generous. He is a person who’s very encouraging in terms of, like, “Do whatever you want to do. Go after your dreams.”

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Is there anything people might be surprised to know about him?

He likes to chill. He likes to be home with his kids and his guitar. He’s very good (at it), and he’s self-taught, too.

Turning to “Claim to Fame,” how confident were you when Cole was announced as guesser?

There was a brief moment before we voted (when) I was in the bathroom with Monay, and I was like, “Are we sure we should put Cole in? Maybe we should put Hugo in just in case.” But it felt like it was too late, and people were already starting to vote. So we just went with it. But I felt a little uneasy right before the guess-off. Something felt a little off.

Have you and Cole spoken since your elimination?

Yeah, the whole cast is in a group chat. There’s really no hard feelings. It was just a matter of time before somebody did it. So I can’t even be that mad. I feel like if a lot of other people were in that same exact position, it would have happened that same way. I was definitely a sure shot. So I think he just had to do what was best for his game at that point.

What is it like in the house? How did you spend your days?

It’s so much fun. I compare it to adult sleepaway camp but with high stakes. Because we’re just playing this intense game for money. You’re plotting and you’re playing the game, but you’re also getting to know people, because it’s also a very social game, and you don’t have your phone. So you really have to just connect with people.