Refinery 29
Colton Underwood’s arrival may have two truths. Listen to both
GOOD MORNING AMERICA – New bachelor Colton Underwood will be introduced on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, broadcast on Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Television Network. GMA18 (Photo by Paula Lobo / Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) COLTON UNDERWOOD In a Good Morning America interview on Wednesday, former bachelor’s leader Colton Underwood revealed that he is gay to host Robin Roberts, and talked about his struggles to get into the come to terms with his sexuality while growing up in a conservative, Catholic community. During the interview, Underwood publicly apologized to Cassie Randolph, his ex-girlfriend and former Bachelor contestant. The couple split back in May 2020, but their amicable divorce eventually turned sour. In September 2020, Randolph was granted a restraining order, after which the public learned that Underwood had sent Randolph and her family “ disturbing ” text messages that showed up uninvited at her and her parents’ homes, and that he even had a tracking device on her car. The restraining order was withdrawn a month later, after Underwood and Randolph reached a ‘private agreement’. While it’s good that Underwood can now live authentically, fans of the franchise have taken to Twitter to point out that he’s getting a good old-fashioned Bachelor edit in this situation – and his past behavior is in danger of being swept under the rug. Shortly after the interview aired, for example, executive producers of The Bachelor publicly expressed support for Underwood in a statement saying, “We are so inspired by Colton Underwood’s courage to embrace and emulate 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. Underwood’s apology seemed genuine, and he may continue to show that he has changed. But by now giving Underwood a glowing bow of salvation, it could signal to Randolph and other people who may have witnessed similar events that their experiences are unimportant. were.[Underwood] and his struggle with his sexuality will be the culmination, as opposed to an examination of the character that leads to the mistreatment of others, ”Veronique Valliere, PsyD, a psychologist who consults perpetrators and victims of sexual assault, tells Refinery29. The Bachelor executives’ statement is also notable for the fact that the famous straight dating show didn’t really do its part in supporting (or even representing) members of the queer community. They may say they celebrate Underwood’s journey, but there has been virtually no LGBTQIA + representation on the ABC show, with the exception of a handful of bisexual women. The bachelor who seizes the opportunity Underwood has given them to be “allies” is empty and ultimately disappointing. Underwood’s inner struggles and turmoil were undoubtedly painful for him to go through, and wreaked havoc on him – he even opened up to Roberts about experiencing suicidal thoughts. But his actions also led to his ex-partner fearing for her safety, which is unforgivable. “The phrase ‘hurt people hurt people’ comes to mind,” tweeted Bachelor fan Brett S. Vergara, and while the context sheds light on the situation, it does not excuse, alter or even minimize that causing pain and pain through those actions. . I hope Cassie feels supported by her loved ones today. Dr. Valliere points out that we tend to treat situations like these when: / or: Underwood may either be a victim of his own oppressive upbringing and our unaccepted culture; or he may be a villain for his actions in the But he can be both. “He has to deal with his anxiety and come to peace with himself and his sexuality,” says Dr. Valliere, “but he also has to deal with the part of himself that felt the right to hurt someone else. If you experience domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support. Do you like what you see? How about what more R29 goodness, here Colton’s big “GMA” interview including an apology Bachelorette star opens up about eating disorder More “bachelorette” spin-offs could be coming