Colton Underwood has come out as gay in an emotional interview.
The reality star rose to fame on the hit US dating show The Bachelor, which sees a bachelor go on dates with multiple women over a series of weeks – before proposing to one in the finale.
The 29-year-old appeared on the show in 2019, and announced his split from co-star Cassie Randolph last year.
Speaking on Good Morning America on Wednesday morning, Colton opened up about his sexuality, telling Robin Roberts: “This year’s been a lot for a lot of people and it’s probably made a lot of people look at themselves in the year and figure out who they are.”
“I’ve ran from myself for a long time, I’ve hated myself for a long time. I’m gay. I came to terms with that earlier this year, and the next step in all of this was sort of letting people know.”
JUST IN: Former “Bachelor” star @Colton Underwood speaks his truth and comes out to @robinroberts: “I’m gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it… I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life.” https://t.co/PoYJUAPBpA pic.twitter.com/isP7SptUu7
— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 14, 2021
“I’m still nervous, it’s been a journey for sure. I’m emotional, but I’m emotional in such a good, happy, positive way. I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. That means the world to me.”
“I got into a place with my personal life that was dark, and bad, and I can list a bunch of different things, but they’d all be excuses,” he explained.
“I think overall, the reason why now is because I got to a place where I didn’t think I was ever going to share this I don’t, I would have rather died than, say, I’m gay. I think that was sort of my wake-up call.”
Producers of The Bachelor franchise said 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.”
