‘The Bachelor’ spoilers find that Colton Underwood made a huge announcement today. The man who once had 30 women try leech therapy, kick the crap out each other in a Vietnamese martial arts ring and learn to be pirates in order to win his heart- and virginity, has come out as gay.
The former NFL player’s pre-taped Good Morning America sit-down interview with out and proud Robin Roberts was an emotional one, but in true Bachelor Nation spirit, Colton is being rallied around and supported by his fellow alumni
‘The Bachelor’: Bachelor Nation Reacts to Colton Underwood Coming Out As Gay
Onyeka Ehie, who was one of the ladies on Colton’s season 23 tweeted almost immediately in support of Colton: “Happy for @coltonunderwood for speaking his truth. We support you. Just a reminder that homophobic comments will not accepted or tolerated today or any day. You’ve been warned.”
Demi Burnett was also a season 23 competitor and since came out as queer, leading to the Bachelor franchise’s first gay storyline. She and then girlfriend Kristian Haggerty’s love story was a central storyline on season 6 of Bachelor in Paradise.
Demi tweeted after Colton’s interview aired on GMA, “Welcome to the community brother.” She then added a rainbow emoji.
Longtime host, Chris Harrison reached out to Colton via Instagram, writing, “Very proud of you today @coltonunderwood. Happy to see you stand up and openly live your truth. You have my love and support my friend.”
Bekah Martinez who was on the season of The Bachelor prior to Colton’s posted a clip of Colton’s interview and wrote, “I’m really happy for him that he can finally live his truth!!” She also appreciated that Colton issued an apology to his ex-girlfriend after their messy split.
Colton found love (but no engagement) with Cassie Randolph at the end of a messy season 23. However, the end of Colton and Cassie’s relationship was even messier with Cassie force to take out a restraining order against Colton who was allegedly harassing and stalking the 25 year old woman.
While the order was later dropped. 29-year-old Colton admitted to making “a lot of bad choices” following the split and apologized for “how things ended.” He did, however, stress that the relationship was genuine.
While Colton’s Bachelor journey didn’t turn out as anyone would have predicted, he said he was both grateful for the experience and regretful.
“I do think I could have handled it better, I’ll say that,” he admitted while sitting down with Roberts. “I just wish I wouldn’t have dragged people into my own mess of figuring out who I was. I genuinely mean that. … At the same time, I can sit here and say I’m sorry to all of those women, I can also say thank you. Without them and without the Bachelor franchise, I don’t know if this would have ever came out.”
For their part, the producers of the Bachelor hold no grudges. They wrote in a statement, “We are so inspired by Colton Underwood’s courage to embrace and pursue his authentic self. As firm believers in the power of love, we celebrate Colton’s journey in the LGBTQIA+ community every step of the way.”
Congratulations on your freedom, Colton. Now get started on the next chapter of that book of yours.
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