Colton Underwood who competed as The Bachelor in 2019, and The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise before that, came out as gay in an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America Wednesday (April 14).
“For me, I’ve run from myself for a long time. I’ve hated myself for a long time. I’m gay and I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it. The next step in all of this was sort of letting people know. It’s been a journey for sure. I’m emotional, but I’m emotional in such a happy and positive way. I’m like the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life and that means the world to me.”
Colton knew he was gay from a young age
Colton said he had known the truth of his sexuality since a young age, knowing he “just felt different” from the age of 6, when he couldn’t process it. He knew he was “more emotional” than the other boys in his class. It took until high school for him to realize he “was more attracted to the boys and the men” than he was the opposite sex.
Also, he believed The Bachelor would solve all his problems. That he would come out of the experience with a wife and family.
Does he regret being the Bachelor?
As far as the women he had relationships with, including Cassie Randolph the woman he ended up from The Bachelor, he does have regrets.
“I thought a lot about this. Do I regret being The Bachelor and do I regret handling it the way that I did? I do. I do think I could’ve handled it better. I just wish I wouldn’t have dragged people into my own mess of figuring out who I was. I genuinely mean that, but also at the same time, I could sit here and say ‘I’m sorry’ to all of those women, but I can also say ‘thank you,’ because without them, and without The Bachelor franchise, I don’t know if this would have ever came out,” he said.
Coming out as gay has strengthened his relationship with God, said Colton, who was raised in the Catholic church.
“I used to pray for Him to change me and … [now] I can actually have faith and go into church and be present and not have it be conditional on this.”
Suicidal thoughts led Colton to reckon with his sexuality
Colton said he went through a “dark and bad” time before feeling like he could reveal this about himself and his “wake up call” was feeling like he “would’ve rather died” than say he’s gay. “There was a moment in L.A. that I woke up and I didn’t think I was gonna wake up. I didn’t have the intentions of waking up. And I did,” he recalled. The dark times led him to “take back control” of his life.
The dark and bad times also included stalking his ex-girlfriend Cassie after they broke up, but GMA didn’t dwell on that period of his life at all. The stalking frightened Cassie so much, that she filed a restraining order against him.
Colton hasn’t found that “emotional connection” with another man yet
Meanwhile, Colton is currently still unattached, saying that he is looking forward to finding a partner. “I’ve never allowed myself” to have a relationship with a man. “And It’s never been sort of in my cards to let myself get there, and I want to more than anything. I’m looking for someone who can push me and challenge me in all the great ways.”
The Bachelor producers released 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,”
The news isn’t surprising. Colton’s big shtick was being a virgin, for no particular reason other than “waiting for the right” partner. Something seemed off about his story, as if he were hiding something. He seemed very obsessed with Cassie. Stalking her was both scary and disturbing. Now that he’s come to terms with his life, he can deal with the underlying issues that led to bad behavior.
Good luck to him.
