Why These Bachelor Nation Stars Called Out Colton Underwood

When Colton Underwood came out as gay, it was as though a huge weight had finally been lifted off his shoulders. Per People, the former Bachelor revealed his true self during an emotional interview on "Good Morning America," tearfully confirming he's the "happiest and healthiest" he has ever been. Underwood explained, "I've ran from myself for a long time. I've hated myself for a long time, and I'm gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it." He subsequently thanked fans, friends, family-members, former teammates "and even my pastor" for their support in the wake of the announcement, in a statement to "GMA."

However, in a follow-up chat with Us Weekly, the prolific reality star, who's featured on "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette," and "Bachelor in Paradise" as well as fronting his own Netflix show, "Coming Out Colton," revealed that not everybody had been so understanding. When asked whether he still keeps up with "The Bachelor," Underwood revealed, "I don't watch the show. I mean, the only person that I really talked to is Chris [Harrison]. Chris and I stay in touch." He went on to claim that only Harrison had made contact following his public coming out moment. As such, "Unfortunately, I don't have really any relationships in the franchise anymore."

Now, several members of Bachelor Nation are fighting back against Underwood's explosive claims.

According to Screen Rant, Ben Higgins clarified during an episode of his podcast "Almost Famous" that he personally knows "of multiple people that did [reach out], including myself, including friends of mine that reached out to him." Likewise, Higgins sent Colton Underwood an advice book instructing him on how to navigate his Christian faith while also being an openly gay man. As a result, Higgins wondered whether Underwood was lying in an attempt "to make everyone else look bad." 

Elsewhere, Nick Viall, speaking on his own podcast "The Viall Files," also claimed his fellow "Bachelor" alum was pointedly twisting the truth. He even produced a text which Viall sent to Underwood around the time of the "GMA" interview. The reality star wrote "Congrats, bud. Hope you're in a happier place" along with a heart emoji. Viall claimed that Underwood immediately replied to thank him and confirm he was, indeed, feeling much better. Viall called the Netflix star a liar as a result. 

It's worth noting this isn't the first time Colton Underwood has been accused of bending the truth. According to Page Six, former Bachelorette Tayshia Adams fought back against comments he'd made about their fantasy suites date on her podcast, "Bachelor Happy Hour," arguing that Underwood was making her out to be some sort of charity case by claiming he felt bad for her. Likewise, in relation to his claims about sleeping in his sweatpants and sweatshirt, Adams clarified, "He actually slept in boxers that night because it was so hot in Portugal."

Although the response to Underwood coming out was mostly positive, there were certain sections of Bachelor Nation who questioned whether he'd done it to distract from allegations from his former girlfriend, Cassie Randolph, in relation to stalking and harassment. As The Wrap reported at the time, long-time "Bachelor" fans took issue with Underwood being gifted his own show following the shocking accusations, which even led Randolph to obtain a restraining order against him.