I’m hearing a lot of buzz about this year’s Bachelor, even Daniel Radcliffe is a fan. When I asked on Twitter if I should be watching it, barely anyone responded. So I’m skipping it for now. I understand if you like and watch it. Apparently Bachelor Colton Underwood was at a charity event for his cystic fibrosis charity when he was grabbed by someone there. He left and issued a statement about it on his Instagram stories.
Bachelor Colton Underwood made an early exit from a charity event after he was allegedly touched inappropriately.
The reality star, 27, said on Instagram that he was attempting to take photos with fans at an event for his Legacy Foundation on Wednesday when a personal line was crossed.
“I’m sorry if you didn’t get a picture at the event last night, but at one point during the event I was grabbed and touched inappropriately while people were throwing cameras in my face,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “I am the type of person who would have stood in line for hours to make sure anyone who supported the event got a picture, but once that happened I had to do what was best for me as a human being.”
ABC did not return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The incident, which was first reported by TMZ, occurred at his foundation’s Garden Party at Mavericks Beach Club in San Diego.
The event was slated to run from 6-9 p.m., and all proceeds from the $25 tickets went to the Legacy Foundation. The former NFL player launched the charity in 2015 to aid people living with cystic fibrosis.
“I didn’t sign up to be a piece of meat or a zoo animal. I hope we run into each other at another event or on the street and I can take the time to say hello,” he continued. “Thank you again for coming to support Legacy and the fight against CF.”
That sounds awful and so violating. I hope someone goes over the camera footage to see who grabbed him and that they’re held accountable. This reminds me of that terrible “reporter” who was going around assaulting celebrities. His name was Vitalii Sediuk and he assaulted Will Smith, Kim Kardashian, Brad Pitt and Gigi Hadid, among others. He did this over the course of several years to so many celebrities and has only served one night in jail from what I can find. I guess I’m saying that it only takes one crazy person to assault or grab a celebrity and that for all the upsides it must be so scary to put yourself out there.
Photos credit: WENN and via Instagram
Okay….that is horrible and yeah, I would have bounced as well.
Also, there’s a new season of The Bachelor on?
I feel bad for him. I hope he keeps talking, specifically to men, about how he felt violated and disrespected. Women have been putting up with this sh*t forever.
Agree. I really like that he talked about how it made him feel to be treated like that. Maybe people will listen if a man says it…
Ask Terry Crews how well that’s going. 🙁 Hopefully the response to his statement is better.
I don’t watch these shows or know who he is, but I feel terrible for him that he was assaulted. I’m glad he’s speaking out and being clear about how it made him feel.
Jesus, this isn’t a difficult concept. Do not put hands on someone unless they invite you to do so. Do not touch a stranger in an intimate area, ever, no matter how famous they are, how attractive you find them, or whatever “signals” you think they are sending. Respect a person’s bodily autonomy at all times and in all situations.
What is wrong with people?
Why is he wearing a Virginity Rocks t-shirt? Is he one of those “born-again virgins”? I haven’t watched The Bachelor since … wow, Ben Higgins’ season, so I have no idea what’s going on!
He’s a virgin! And they mention it ad nauseum in the show, unfortunately. It’s kind of gross.
They go on and on and on about that virginity as if it were some kind of crown jewel! I can’t stand it!
I am sorry that happened to Colton, and I’m glad he spoke up about it. I’m liking this new era of awareness.
Regarding the show… He’s a nice, stand-up man (imo), but not a terribly charismatic or interesting lead. He’s not a great conversationalist and sometimes comes off as wooden. And, people have been saying that his lack of sexual experience comes through in the show, i.e., he goes for the women he is most attracted to (like a beautiful Instagram model who has the depth of a puddle) rather than the women with substance who have their sh*t together.
He’s definitely not very charismatic,but I can’t remember the last bachelor who was.
Very true! Rachel was my favorite.
The fact that the woman dressed as a sloth didn’t make it past the first night should say everything. Who turns down the opportunity to engage with that sort of moxie?? Even if you didn’t immediately hit off, keep her around for a bit for the personality!
According to other contestants, Hannah G is actually super funny and great to be around with, they‘re just completely erasing any sign of her having a personality in the editing room.
Caelynn on the other hand seems to be a snake.
We were going to watch the bachelor,and about 2 minutes in said no,can’t do this again.We got bored and started watching it a couple days ago,my husband even got a little interested.We watched the first two episodes and I’ve fallen asleep during the third twice now,but Colton,to me seems really nice and sincere.It may be one of the better seasons in a while.
Most women don’t sign up for it either.
Word now is that the actress who left Brooklyn Ninety-Nine was grabbed by one of the men in front of everyone, and when she complained, she was fired.
Are you talking about Chelsea peretti? I haven’t heard anything like that? Any source or are you just trolling or something
B99???
Are you sure???
Pretty sure that person is a troll. Chelsea peretti is the only person to leave B99 and she left on good terms and will probably be back in a reacurring role. She never accused anybody of anything
I feel like that is… not true, given the cast.
I can’t see how that’s true, when interviewed about it, she said it was a mutual decision that had been in the works for a while, and the door is always open for her to come back for an appearance.
The people in charge of that show have talked about having a “no a-holes” policy, and the entire cast and crew were very supportive of Terry Crews, and really seem to care about each other. I just don’t see that being the case here.
So sorry folks! I got the wrong show. Someone told me it was the show Bull.
What happened was inexcusable, and the perpetrator should be ashamed.
But holy shit, that Instagram. I have to say there is no bigger turn off than performative virginity. It’s fine not to have sex, but if most of us don’t talk about f*cking in the public sphere, why would you think that shirt was appropriate?
agreed. these people that tout that characteristic about themselves are weird in my opinion, and clearly obsessed with sex. No one needs to know your status, not sure why people want to advertise it
I agree that this is one of the better seasons in a while. There are more WOC lasting into later rounds. And it’s “woker” about sexual assault than is typical for the bachelor (a low bar, the show is heteronormativity defined).
I’m rooting for Kirpa. She wore a bandaid on her face for an entire episode (this is radically insouciant for the bachelor) and she’s playing the game so well. She’s never goaded into anything and the only time she says something “dramatic” in her interview cutaways it’s sooo clearly faked its hilarious. And Colton clearly likes that she doesnt GAF and is in control.
Kirpa for bachelorette!
I just want Kirpa to stick around long enough so she can become the Bachelorette. I know Colton isn’t going to pick her – he’s going to pick one of the blondes or one of the pageant girls – but I want her to become Bachelorette and to do that she needs to make it into the top 4 or so. So I’m hoping that happens for her.
Despite his decision to be on the bachelor kinda like the guy and hate that ppl mock him for his virginity. I posted on the Courtney Cox article about losing my virginity late in the game so if he’s waiting for his right person (which I should have done) then more power to him. Also heard (some podcast)that he was with a long term girlfriend but they never had sex because she had a history of sexual abuse so she never felt comfortable with it and he respected that but they broke up and he ended up a 20 something virgin. Also for those in the back DONT TOUCH ANYONE INTIMATELY IF YOU DONT KNOW THEM!!!!
Yes JB, his ex is Aly Raisman.
Ana— I’m rooting for Kirpa to get whatever she wants, lol. I think what she wants is a man candy partner who worships her (and doesn’t have to be on her level intellectually)… i.e. Colton. But if she wants Bachelorette, more power to her. My bet’s on Cassie for next bachelorette.
You don’t want to be groped in public and I get that, but you are on a show with a bunch of women that are given alcohol freely that would take your virginity at the drop of a hat and not think twice about it. My side-eye is working overtime on this.
So… you’re basically saying he asked for that kind of treatment. WTF.
No, i dont think OP is saying that. More like why be on that type of show then?
He shouldn’t be sexually assaulted under any circumstances, but I do get OP’s critique of his performative outrage about all of the cameras and attention. Like, yeah, you aren’t a piece of meat, but you did sign up to be objectified on a public television series, and he’s made his sexuality a centerpiece of the show’s conversation by discussing his virginity ad nauseum. Nothing justifies touching people inappropriately, but as far as zoo animals go…that you absolutely signed up to do. Like, the show is literally a showcase of human mating rituals.
He is not a born again virgin, and not because he is saving himself, but a virgin by circumstance. It happens more than we think. You want it to have some real caring yet you haven’t met the right one. Then it gets late in the game and you are embarassed and now you start looking for someone really nice who will be really caring. Etc. Had a friend who was a virgin till she was 32.
I think it is more common today with people in their twenties as a generational thing. Plus so many still live at home. A simple lack of opportunity.
Anyway that is his story. Focused on his career, then dated a sexual abuse survivor so wasn’t going to push it there.
Time ticked. So he is owning it after having felt ashamed about it. Maybe we should celebrate that he hasn’t wanted to act like an ahole frat boy, but has wanted an experience of dignity and respect.
At this point now that filming has wrapped, I doubt he is a virgin anymore.
PS yes very boring season of Bachelor. I attribute it to Elan Gale leaving. I think he brought some heart or depth to the storylines that they create.
Well, he did sign up to be a zoo animal. But zoo animals aren’t to be inappropriately touched either.
I’m glad he bounced. Nobody should put up with that. I’m also glad that the guys are standing up and coming out about this. Yes, women have it much worse and have for eternity but it’s an epidemic that touches (groan, sorry) everyone.
Never had any interest in either version of this show, but cystic fibrosis research is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart (I’m a carrier and I’ve lost two very dear cousins to the disease). I’m going to have to Google this guy to see what his involvement is in CF.
Also, it’s good that he’s raising this issue. My feeling is, the more we talk about consent, the better. And any time there’s an opportunity for men to gain some empathy for the constant, soul-sucking sh!t that women go through on this front all the time, it’s good not to waste it.
I was so against him as the Bachelor and I’ve done a 180. He’s sincere and seems to really care about the girls on the show individually. I think he’s a good egg!
Well, good for him.
What is wrong with people?
No touchy, no hands-ies, no funny business period. Keep your paws to yourself that is basic manners.
John Lennon was shot point blank on the street a few feet from his own home. By a lunatic who had asked and gotten an autograph from Lennon hours before.
I have zero idea who this guy is/why he’s famous but he is correct that he is not a zoo animal to be pawed at for cheap thrills. No one should be treated like that. Do better people.