Former Bachelor star and professional football player Colton Underwood surprised many fans when he came out as gay during an interview on Good Morning America on April 14th.
Colton Underwood is a familiar face for fans of *The Bachelor* franchise.
Colton competed on the 14th season of The Bachelorette , where he made it to the final four, and was then the Bachelor himself on the 23rd season of the main franchise. In a new interview with Good Morning America , Colton has revealed that he is gay.
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“This year’s been a lot for a lot of people and it’s probably made a lot of people look at themselves in the year and figure out who they are,” Colton said.
“I’ve ran from myself for a long time, I’ve hated myself for a long time,” Colton went on.
“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,” Colton said. “I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. That means the world to me.”
Colton was asked how he felt about the women from the *Bachelor* franchise who may feel “misled.”
“I would understand why they would think that way,” Colton responded. ‘I do think I could have handled it better, I’ll say that,” he continued, adding that he was sorry for “dragging people into my own mess of figuring out who I was.”
Colton stated he felt “closer to God” after accepting himself.
“I used to wake up in the morning and pray for him to take the gay away. I used to pray for him to change me,” Colton went on, saying that his relationship with God is no longer “conditional.”
Colton explained that his family had a “range of responses” but most wish he had told them sooner.
“When I hear that, I wish I would have had faith in my friends and my family a little bit more,” Colton said. “The only reason I’m sitting down with you today is because I have the love and the support of my friends and my family.”
He also credited the Bachelor franchise with helping him come to terms with himself.
“Without *The Bachelor* franchise, I don’t know if this would have ever came out,” Colton continued.
Producers of the franchise released a statement following Colton’s announcement, saying, “We are so inspired by Colton Underwood’s courage to embrace and pursue his authentic self. As firm believers in the power of love, we celebrate Colton’s journey in the LGBTQIA+ community every step of the way.”
Fans have taken to social media to share their feelings on the news.
“Now that we know Colton Underwood is gay, we should ask The Bachelor Franchise to give him a 2nd chance at finding love with a cast of gay men looking for love. Thoughts?” one fan suggested .
There has been an outpouring of support.
“I’m so happy for Colton. Growing up in the south there’s constant pushes towards heterosexuality,” one fan shared . “Coming to terms with your sexuality isn’t easy when you’ve been taught to hate yourself.”
Many fans were happy to hear that Colton was comfortable sharing this news publicly.
“Colton Underwood coming out as gay is the highlight of 2021. I’m so happy for him,” one fan wrote .
Coming out is always incredibly difficult, and we congratulate Colton on this brave decision!
