Colton Underwood was not only a virgin when he was chosen as ABC’s lead on The Bachelor, but he had no clue if he liked men or women at that time. He now credits his appearance on “The Bachelor” for helping him to realize he liked women, because he ultimately fell in love with Cassie Randolph for that, he said.
“[The show taught me] that I’m straight and I’m very, very attracted to Cassie [Randolph] and women — but it would have been OK if it would have been the other way too,” Underwood told “Entertainment Tonight.” “I think that’s the biggest message I have for people.”
The 28-year-old former football player said exposing his virginity on “The Bachelorette” kicked off speculation about his sexuality.
“Even now, I still battle gay rumors when I’m with Cassie, but that’s how it was for me as a young kid in grade school and high school,” he said. “I can deal with them now.”
“I’m so grateful for the franchise for helping me grow, but I continue to have moments of self-reflection to realize, ‘Hey, maybe this is why I am the way I am,'” he said.
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His new book, “The First Time: Finding Myself and Looking for Love on Reality TV” was released on Tuesday, stating in an Instagram post, he wrote that the book is about him being a “mix of contradictions.”
“I hope that this book can resonate or help even just one person that is struggle or going through a rough time in their life,” he wrote. “Thank you all so much for going on this ride with me.”
