Reality star Colton Underwood made headlines yesterday when he came out as gay in a sit down interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.
“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,” he said.
Underwood’s coming out was immediately followed by news that he’ll be appearing in an unscripted Netflix series chronicling his coming out journey. Gus Kenworthy will also appear in the series “acting as a guide, of sorts, for Underwood,” Variety reports.
But the reaction to all of this has been mixed, to say the least. While many people have been celebrating the news…
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“Coming out” can be a terrifying, uncomfortable, and traumatizing experience because we still live in a world where we are made to fear the consequences of living freely. Let that sink in. So happy for @colton Underwood. His courage will undoubtably save lives today. ?? https://t.co/gAaYldPD9a
— dan levy (@danjlevy) April 14, 2021
Others are reminding people of Underwood’s past mistreatment of women, particularly his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Randolph…
Colton coming out doesn’t erase the fact that he stalked and terrorized his previous girlfriend #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/KwM7RSOczi
— BachShitCray (@Bach_ShitCray) April 14, 2021
A little backstory: Underwood and Randolph met while filming The Bachelor. Their relationship was short-lived, however, and ended with Randolph filing for a restraining order against the former NFL player last year.
The Wrap reports:
The two dated for more than a year after that, but eventually parted ways. In September, Randolph was granted a restraining order against Underwood, accusing Underwood of “harassing” her, planting a tracking device under her car, and going on “obsessive” walks near her parents’ home. The documents in the case also said that Underwood was spotted in an alley outside Randolph’s bedroom window and that she was “fearful for her safety.”
Check out some of the mixed reactions people are having to Colton’s coming out news…
I'm glad that Colton Underwood finally feels comfortable coming out, but I'm not about to forget he harassed and stalked his ex-girlfriend and she had to take out a restraining order against him.
Him being gay doesn't negate his history of abusing women.
— ella dawson is writing on patreon (@brosandprose) April 14, 2021
Good for Colton Underwood for coming out to the world and being his true self. That’s good Wednesday morning stuff right there. Live your truth my friends whatever you feel that truth is there is literally no right or wrong answer. We’re all just guessing
— Germán (@purdyflaco) April 14, 2021
the LGBTQIA+ community does not and should not claim colton underwood !
— jo makes videos (@jmakesvideos2) April 15, 2021
I stand with Colton Underwood, thank you for speaking up, thank you for coming out we are all here to support you, there is a community here with us all! you got my follow! .@colton
— Trans Lives Matter! *Activist* "Ada " (@AllTransLivesM1) April 14, 2021
Colton Underwood: *stalks, threatens, puts a tracking device on his ex’s car*
Gay men: haha muscles hey daddy ?
— Nico Correia (@notn1co) April 14, 2021
Well, despite all the thirsting, we are glad to have Colton Underwood – proud of him
— mac (@LeftistTwix) April 14, 2021
Colton Underwood is a manipulative, abusive stalker. He also follows Morgan Wallen on Instagram. And he’s SO BORING. Glad he’s able to accept who he is but I also don’t care because he sucks and it’s annoying seeing so many gays thirst over him since he’s white and has abs.
— Andy Herren (@AndyHerren) April 14, 2021
Glad Colton finally felt free to share his story. A very public example of how LGBTQ+ Christians live with intense guilt, self-hatred, suppression, and forced heteronormativity because of church culture. #TheBachelor #GMA #coltonunderwood pic.twitter.com/AjT7MrdCx0
— Bachelor Total Landscaping (@FinalRose2night) April 14, 2021
Good for Colton Underwood for coming out – but I see the media is just going to pretend that restraining order for stalking his ex and putting a tracking device on her car never happened, huh? A hard, emotionally fraught time is never an excuse for abuse or stalking.
— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) April 14, 2021
Colton Underwood is a very gay name so good for him
— an overall terrible person (@catmancatman864) April 14, 2021
And then there are those talking his upcoming Netflix series. Reactions to that have been, shall we say, a little more unified…
Sorry Netflix but I’m really not interested in watching Gus Kenworthy explain poppers to Colton Underwood
— Eric (@eric__hahn) April 14, 2021
Sneak peak of Colton Underwood and Gus Kenworthy’s show pic.twitter.com/45ReDKw9dc
— Liam Gareau (@liamgareau) April 14, 2021
Colton Underwood is literally trying to pull a Kevin Spacey and like…why is @netflix awarding him with a show???
— james (@whosjameswalsh) April 15, 2021
Omg first look at Colton Underwood’s reality Netflix show pic.twitter.com/EjeOiEye0i
— h0ezil (@h0ezil) April 14, 2021
I for one, am very excited for Colton Underwood’s Netflix show.
For too long I have wanted to learn the correct pronunciation of “yass”, how to stay hydrated on ketamine, and how to avoid overdosing on GHB.— Dev (@devonreally) April 15, 2021
Kevin Spacey seeing Colton Underwood getting a "But I'm gay" redemption arc, complete with a new Netflix show. pic.twitter.com/XCTVSfJZZx
— A.J Raven (@tempest071990) April 15, 2021
Colton Underwood getting a Netflix show about learning to be gay from Gus Kenworthy is homophobia.
I can't explain why, but it is.— Tweetsabouttv (@Tweetsabouttv1) April 15, 2021
I’ve been out for 7 years and have never stalked an ex where’s my reality show???https://t.co/g8pLE8xeq7
— Jesse Thee Slade ? (@Jesse_bslade) April 14, 2021
And then there’s this:
Gentle reminder that you can welcome Colton Underwood into the LGBTQIA+ community warmly and also hold him accountable for the trauma and abuse he inflicted on Cassie!!
— definitely not Mia Monica? (@miamorx3c) April 14, 2021
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
Kieran
The ugly haters can go to hell. We welcome Colton with open arms.
KyleMichelSullivan
Agreed.
mz.sam
Oh hell yes. WeHo welcomes you.
Ken A.
I totally agree. If he was that scary, why’d she drop the restraining order? People just like to hate for the sake of hating.
James26
The fact that the gf got a restraining order does not mean that any of her allegations are true. These orders are handed out based on an affidavit and almost always without the accused even being there to contest the allegations or to present his side. If he had been charged and convicted of stalking, that would be different.
So basically, this is just another Queerty story that is based on hyping a few tweets.
woodroad34
He did admit to it…as part of his excuse. He used his self-homophobia as a reason for his stalking.
mz.sam
Way too many haters in Twitter-sphere spewing idle venom as usual. Moreover, as reported with many media outlets Colton’s beard gf ultimately withdrew her restraining orders when they decided to quietly separate amicably.
JCalvinius
Sweetie, a restraining order isn’t a “few hyped tweets”.
Thirst all ya want and overlook all ya want but the boy is going to need more than a “reality” show to work through his very evident issues.
Float down your Egyptian river but try to remember the asps.
Fahd
Just hope the whole Colton Underwood coming-out saga isn’t talked out before the reality series about the Mutt-and-Jeff pairing of Underwood and Kenworthy even premieres.
Donston
Of course, the first two posts are from posters (one poster?) who don’t comment much of anything beyond fem-shaming and praising “masculine” white dudes (and this guy barely passes for “masculine”). Anyways, even if you take away the restraining order and the accusations of stalking and tracking, which is pretty difficult to ignore, there’s still a lot of manipulation, calculation and indulging of privilege. While his “coming out” felt as much like a cash grab and about self-promotion as any recent outing. I don’t wish the dude ill-will. And it’s cool when anyone can be themselves or whatever. But he deserves most of the shade he’s gotten.
ShiningSex
He’s boring and NO ONE is shocked. We could see this coming a mile away.
It’s just sad that he conned the women on The Bachelor. He knew then. Come on. He just didn’t accept himself. Move on.
whatsaywhat
“Conned the women” – FFS it’s trash TV not real life (although have all sort of blurred into the same thing so forget it)
Jim
Gays can be media whores too. Who would have thought!
woodroad34
Well, I hope Colton likes rescuing dogs…Gus and Colton make a pretty couple…for at least a couple of months until bed death.
dre23222
So he gets a coming out party for GMA because he Caucasian? Oh ok I get it. A lot of us been out for a while and endured the same thoughts as him but didn’t get a segment on a show to broadcast it. Let alone an unscripted series. Just let you know that when you gay, feel privileged and Caucasian you don’t care about anyone but yourself.
Kieran
Maybe its because you’re a talentless nobody that you didn’t get your own show?
whatsaywhat
Imagine a “Bachelor” with a bunch of mediocre looking woke whingers moaning on and on and on about how sexist, racist and problematic it all is.
Sounds fun.
JRamonMc
If anyone reads these comments from other gay men, then you know exactly why no one wants to come out.
tjack47
I wholeheartedly agree.
Kieran
How do we know these are actually gay men? They are probably homophobes trolling gay websites trying to make gays look bad.
KyleMichelSullivan
No kidding. It puts a whole ‘nother layer on the process…
Kangol2
Puh-lease. Quite a few people who come out receive praise and little shade on this site. The difference is, they aren’t “faux-straight” stalkers who lied repeatedly about being gay, even publishing a book about their supposed hetero life, and then came out with a TV deal in tow. Yawn. The guy is manipulative and creepy, but hey, if you find him hot, just own up to it. As for him coming out, good for him.
Tombear
He is attractive and well educated. He is quite a catch if he wants a partner.
dhmonarch89
I don’t care one way or another- I’ve never heard of this guy before… but if you come out as part of TV deal, it sort of diminishes the argument that it’s such a deeply personal event….
dhmonarch89
kind of like what will happen with Richard Maddox and the Super Hero premier….
whatsaywhat
I am here for Colton’s “journey” & will watch whatever show Netflix makes about him (no matter how tawdry).
Donston
Some of the shade he’s getting is childish and embittered and counterproductive. While he shouldn’t have the be shunned forever for his past. Yet, there is plenty of valid criticisms as well. You’re going to get hate for admitting to recently stalking and tracking your ex. You’re gonna get some shade for using being a “straight virgin” to market yourself, get TV gigs and get book deals and now quickly using your “gay-ness” to do the same. You’re going to receive a good amount of shade from a large percentage of “queers” if you are perceived as having Conservative politics.
The fact that the only people vehemently hyping this dude are folks obsessed with defending, fitting in with and getting approval from “masculine”, decent looking white guys is telling. And almost none of y’all have any real argument beyond y’all think he’s “hot” or he’s “one of us”. Go back to the drawing board.
frankcar1965
Surprise surprise, I’m just shocked that he didn’t come out as Bi, Pan, Non-binary, Trans, Fluid etc. Instead of just plain gay. He’s making a lot of money being a nobody.
D_Bro
Well, obviously he must be a somebody. You’re bitching about him, are you? You took the time to read the article.
Me2
He does seem a bit contrived. So, I wouldn’t be shocked if all of this was a part of his original plan. Either way, I don’t find him interesting and fail to see what all the hype is about.
dhmonarch89
He just sounds like a complete opportunist.
BoomerMyles
He’s hot and pleasing to the eyes.
Gus is a hottie too.
I’ll watch for damn sure. I have a feeling even the critics here will watch at least 1 episode as a guilty pleasure.
cuteguy
Colton is beyond welcome, regardless of how he physically looks.
JromeGervais09
The evidence was very flimsy against Underwood for stalking. Her lawyer knew that she didn’t have evidence that was good. She withdrew her complaints and the restrictions on his whereabouts. I don’t think that punishing Colton does any of us any good in the gay community. Netflix came to Underwood with the proposal not the other way around. Give him a break. I’m proud of him after all he’s gone through since high school. I’m also proud of Gus Kenworthy to step to help take some of the heat off of Colton. I wrap my arms around him.
Cam
The lawyer didn’t withdraw anything. Colton stated he met with his ex and she agreed to withdraw the restraining order.
Why are you lying?
mz.sam
To hell with all these social media couch potatoes and Lazy Boy armchair Q-Anon trolls and critics. No one is ever in either Colton or Gus’s shoes for their motivations despite of their unqualified and toxic rants. I’m sending rightful congratulations, love and support these two brothers for their successes and forthcoming endeavors.
Iona Lexiss
WHO…CARES? Another narcissist another headline.
Doug
I agree. This guy’s coming out is in the headlines everywhere. Why is CU’s coming out so much more newsworthy than other actors who have come out?
butchqueen
What a bore. He’s SO vanilla. Not Dryers, and not even the house brand. He’s like the 3 gallon buckets of shitty ice cream meant for kid’s parties.
Den
You have to question the motivation of any “reality TV celebrity.” You also have to question their maturity, intellect and level of self-absorption.
He is certainly pleasant to look at, but that is not any gauge of his worth as a person, nor of how engaging yet another “reality series” will be (his looks and expected shirtless footage will only bring people to the first episode).
In any case it is always good to see people come out because it furthers the understanding that LGBT people are no different from anybody else. Some of us are exemplary, some of us are A$$h01#s, and most of us are somewhere in between.
nm4047
how to make vanilla even more vanilla, make an ‘unscripted’ show with Gus Kensworthy as a mentor. How much whiter can these 2 be?
Den
So you assume that white people only have “vanilla” sex? Or that their media personae indicate their kinks or lack of?
Pretty dull mind you’ve got there.
Last I looked sexual proclivities were not at all connected to complexion or any other easily seen external characteristic. And have no relationship at all to the baseless assumptions of an uninformed third party.
SPEEDOSWIMMER
BORING!
Dwight1265
I had to come out on my own. I didn’t have the support of Netflix. I’m so happy he’s finally accepted himself. Im sure the million dollar(s) deal will ease his transition and he can find help for any stress or mood disorder that ensues. It will be tough for him.
yup5hioop
If he’s really gay then I’ll buy the stalking thing – so desperate to survive – prove something – to own a wife – pathetic fairy tail mess. He can be a gay mess instead. Welcome. I’m pretty sure I’m shadowbanned on this gossip site anyways.
Invader7
He’s trying to extend his fading ” 15 minutes of fame ” . He’s not that relevant anymore and his ego can’t stand it. I bet one year from now he’ll retract the coming out angle and say he was ” confused ,pressured , bullied ” or some other BS excuse. And then go back to being a ” virgin ” or whatever excuse he falls back on !!!
sfmike64
TBH, who cares? He’s only famous because he was on some stupid reality shows, and he’s conventionally pretty? Bored.
Instead of wanting to have a Netflix documentary about you, Miss Thing, you should go get some therapy and figure out why you didn’t come out until you were 30. That’s probably a better use of your time and money and you MIGHT come out of it the other side (see what I did there?) less of a mess. Cause right now you’re a total mess.
And make amends to your ex girlfriend, who you stalked and treated pretty badly.