The pressure for Netflix to pull the plug on freshly out reality star Colton Underwood’s new docuseries is mounting.
Last week, it was reported that Underwood was in the middle of shooting a series about coming out as gay and that Kenworthy is “acting as a guide” to him. Almost immediately, a backlash ensued.
Many people were upset that the former Bachelor star was being rewarded for coming out with the Netflix show given his not-so-distant-history of alleged abuse against his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Randolph. (Read all about that here.)
Now, an anonymously-created change.org petition calling on Netflix to cancel the series has received over 25,000 signatures and counting.
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The petition reads:
Colton is a former bachelor lead who stalked his final pick, Cassie Randolph. He placed a tracker on her car, sent her and her friends anonymous threatening texts, and was even seen standing outside her window extremely late in the night, resulting in her brother attempting to de-escalate the situation. Cassie is a victim of Colton’s abuse, and he does not deserve a platform in any way. Regardless of his sexuality, Colton should not be given a platform as a result of his abusive, manipulative, and dangerous behavior.
Randolph hasn’t said much about the situation other than a short post to her Instagram story in which told fans, “Thank you, everyone, for all the kind comments and messages.” Sources close to her say she still hasn’t “had time to navigate how she feels about it yet.”
And then there’s Gus Kenworthy, who has found himself the target of negative criticism, something he’s definitely not used to, for his involvement with the series.
I hope @guskenworthy pulls out.
— ?revor’s a Fag (@trevorjkuhn) April 15, 2021
“Gus Kenworthy to Be Colton Underwood’s 'Gay Guide' in New Netflix Show”
Me:
— Moognific? (@Moognific) April 15, 2021
ok but like… is it too late for @guskenworthy to back out of this Netflix show? Or for @netflix simply to cancel it? ? I can’t say I’m surprised Netflix is being tone deaf, but I always had respect for Gus Kenworthy until now ?
— slayyyter stan ???? (@alonelyho) April 15, 2021
Wasn't bothered by Gus Kenworthy. He seemed nice enough. Actually, I'm always quite buzzed by out and proud gay sports stars.
Now, after that Netflix news? I'm like: pic.twitter.com/MNGIQa90dm
— Stewart Who? (@DJstewartwho) April 14, 2021
Former *NSYNC member Lance Bass shared his two cents about the whole thing during an appearance on “The Ben & Ashley I. Almost Famous” podcast, saying, “[Colton’s] definitely gonna get a lot of backlash from the community at first. Not the majority, but there is a small percentage of the community that’s just gonna not like the fact that he came out this way, that he’s monetizing the experience.”
He then urged Underwood to “sit back, listen and learn,” adding, “That’s all you need to do right now, is just listen to the community, listen to everyone around you. Educate yourself, and then you’ll naturally find where you belong in this community.”
So far, neither Netflix, Underwood, nor Kenworthy have commented on the backlash.
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
cuteguy
This is ridiculous. Let Colton have his show. He’s breaking barriers and all these bitter queens are hating him for it. I hope Netflix keeps his show
Hdtex
“…. breaking barriers:???
BWAHAHA BWAHAHA BWAHAHA BWAHAHA BWAHAHA BWAHAHA!!!
He’s a loser attention whpre not some warrior of civil rights
MissTerri
Betcha how many people who are complaining end up watching it?
Catholicslutbox
I wouldn’t be surprised if they finished production before he officially came out.
D_Bro
How is he breaking barriers? By signing a reality deal before he officially came out? By using his “coming out” as a career opportunity?
He is really setting us back by giving the right wing nuts what they perceive as an example of the “choice” that he made in order to get ahead.
Cam
Interesting how the the accounts coming in here to defend him are using anti-LGBTQ pejoratives to attack people on this board.
Moritz
Why should anyone care if he makes any money off his coming out? Who cares! Think about all the young gays and even straights who may tune in and actually learn something. Doesn’t sound like much of a crime to me. I guess the vocal minority always seems to get the last word. Personally, I think that they actually represent no one but their petty little selves.
Hdtex
B@tch pleez. He’s a self-serving, serial abuser. Not very bright, not very interesting.
MissTerri
Let us know when you actually have “news” to report here. Otherwise, it’s just clickbait.
Hdtex
…and you clicked Cletus.
mailliw110
Not only did you “click”…..you commented!
skyboy63
I am there for it. Let him have his redemption .
Hdtex
Stop making stupid people famous.
wade.l
That’s the American dream moron. Just look at the president you had for 4 years.
cuteguy
If we live in a society where Kylie Jenner can become an almost billionaire off of her fake lips, why can’t a gay guy get a break?
winemaker
At least Colton Underwood’s handsome and well educated . In California caitlin jenner wants to be governor and as for klylie jenner, birds of a feather, two ugly and talentless freaks under the impression people really give a S**T
Vince
If something doesn’t include everyone or isn’t absolutely perfect you’ll always have a few very vocal queens that have absolutely no life other then sitting around bitching about everything. Hopefully Netflix doesn’t fall for it.
James26
OMG guys, “ssri enthusiast” and “Moognific” tweeted something about Colton Underwood! This is totally a news story!
dhmonarch89
So- will people turn on Richard Maddox when he comes out as part of a media blitz for the gay superhero character/film he’s rumored to be doing??? That would be the same kind of opportunism- hiding until timing gives him/studio the most money. Something tells me Maddox will get praise and every GLAAD award there is.
Donston
Madden, not “Maddox”. I’m not sure if Richard will be legit publicly “out” any time soon. He has a fo’ real career and A-list potential and already has some big gigs lined up. For someone like him being “out” can cause more damage than it can be beneficial, at least in theory. And “queers” will want to see an A-lister actor be “out”. Though if he was to be out, there’d probably be some shade, it wouldn’t be anything comparable to this Colton situation.
Colton is a “reality star”, which are mostly low-hanging fruit. He also spent years on a reality show presenting himself as looking for hetero commitment and used that to get in the lime light and for money and attention. He used being a “straight virgin” as a gimmick to sell a book just last year. He had a restraining order against him and accusations of harassing and badgering and tracking from his female ex just last year. Stuff that he didn’t deny. While, if he knows what’s best, Richard won’t publicly present a same-sex relationship or “come out” while promoting a film. And even if he did the success of the movie won’t depend on that. Colton is automatically banking on his “coming out” to get him a new show and book deal. It’s very much different people and different circumstances. It’s not comparable. You’re assuming everyone’s issues with Colton is monolithic. There’s a handful of reasons he’s getting shade and pushback.
I’ve made my peace with this Colton mess. It’s time for everyone to move on. Even for the people that want him to fade, it’s not gonna happen if you keep bringing him up. While of course, “queer media” will keep using him for clicks.
HankHarris
Pick a better analogy.
PYGMan
and people thought Buttigieg didn’t represent gay men well enough. With this guy I don’t believe the persona at all. 30 year old virgins are scary, especially those with a history of restraining orders. Something is wrong in this guy’s head. When someone’s psychology turns them voluntarily into an “incel” then that person will find other unhealthy outlets. This is the guy who would probably drug rape you in college because he couldn’t deal with a normal human interaction. I won’t be tuning in to this, I am waiting for the Netlfix on Lil Nas X coming out. That would be a story I would enjoy watching and 1,000 times more real.
mdrguy1
Good. The sooner this guy is gone from our daily feeds, the better. So underserving of all the attention, and no, he’s not a trailblazer. He’s an opportunist trying to cash in. If he weren’t white, pretty and muscled, Netflix wouldn’t have given him the time of day. But of course, Queerty will fetishize him endlessly and help build him up into something he’s not: a role model and an object worthy of our lust. Gross.
D_Bro
If he came out and lived openly for a period of time BEFORE inking a deal about living as a gay man, then maybe it would be seen as more genuine. As it stands now, it looks like an opportunist who only came out because there was money/fame in it for him.
mastik8
Or you could just change the channel.
BLAKENOW
Jackass writing staff you are part of the bigger problem here. I highly doubt Netflix is being pressured I believe you guys are planning a cancel culture type of lame ass movement that isn’t gonna work they really don’t care and I bet you the majority of people that will be watching the show is women …Not the gay demographic….keep complaining trolls. Netflix doesn’t need your demo .. Women will watch this.
Cam
You’ve been on all the threads here repeating that FOX News line of “Cancel Culture”.
Sweetie, if there is a petition with over 25,000 signatures, then yes, Netflix is being pressured.
JPP
Welcome to the new authoritarianism where everyone is considered guilty until proven innocent. Some people are just fanatics with a few screws loose.
Donston
There isn’t really anything to “prove”. It’s not as if he has any charges against him or future court dates. While I believe the restraining order has been dropped. However, he never denied the stalking, badgering and tracking claims against him. There’s a video of him outside of his ex’s bedroom window in the middle of the night. And he pretty much verified the claims with his “there were things I did wrong” talk when briefly discussing Cassie (his ex) during his “coming out” interview. Yet, he clearly didn’t want to give details or go into things too much.
There’s nothing to “prove” on any other front either. He’s already said that he has been dealing with shame, internalized homophobia and hetero pressures since his teens, and he didn’t talk about dealing with any confusions/contradictions/fluidity. Thus confirming that he sought out being a “Bachelor” knowing his dimensions and struggles and lack of interests in women on any front. We can see that he spent years using being a “straight virgin” as a gimmick. We can see he spent years on TV using looking for hetero commitment as a way to get money and clout and attention. We can see that he put out a book just last year using his ‘Bachelor’ experience, his hetero relationship and being a “straight virgin” as the main selling points for that book. We can see that he chose to do a televised “coming out” interview to reveal his “gayness” to the world. While the new book deal and Netflix show were confirmed the same day that his “outing” interview aired.
All of the facts are what they are. And a lot of the criticism and pushback are not just from The Bachelor fans. There is nothing to “prove”. Whether you choose to give support him or “forgive and forget” or you don’t feel like he owes anyone anything or you want to wait and see how he evolves and what he says and does in the future, that is up to you. But people keep trying to alter the reality of the things that have happened.
Cam
Vague trolling comment.
Colton never denied the behavior. So nice try.
sobertoday17
Colton is very hot and a firm piece of meat. That said he was wrong to abuse his girlfriend. Netflix is setting a bad example by having Colton on their network.
vegastun
I watched the series but did so as someone who knew nothing about him or his past. Whilst he did address what happened and admitted his guilt in it, the more important thing is that he had a story and not one to dissimilar to many gay youth that are athletes. These youth also have a high suicide rate and if his story will impact on many gay youth struggling. So even if it saves one life, then the show was worth it. I do not excuse or like at all what he did, but personally I know growing up that if I had seen more things like this, then I would not have tried taking my life as a teen. Just as Gus’s story was important to gay athlete youth struggling, so is that of Colton. It’s a pity we still live in a society where this is needed, but it is as people are so judgemental and we are the worst in our own community for this. Also I hope that everyone passing judgement on him here, has never done anything wrong or stupid in their lives.