Cassie Randolph (L) and Colton Underwood (R) attend the MTV Movie and TV Awards at Barker Hangar on 15 June 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)
Gay Bachelor star and former NFL player Colton Underwood has denied ever ‘physically abusing’ his ex-girlfriend Cassie Randolph.
The reality TV star came out as gay in April during an appearance on Good Morning America, where he opened up about how his Catholic upbringing pushed him into the closet. In a recent interview with Variety, Underwood, who appeared on season 23 of Bachelor, opened up about the media coverage surrounding his break-up with ex-girlfriend Cassie Randolph – who he met on the show.
The couple announced in May 2020 that they ended their relationship, and three months later, Randolph accused Underwood of stalking and harassing her and filed for a restraining order.
Colton Underwood told Variety that he couldn’t go into detail about the events surrounding the couple’s breakup due to a joint agreement. But he said he wanted to clear the air around the situation because he had seen the word “abuse” next to his name in media coverage.
“I did not physically touch or physically abuse Cassie in any way, shape or form,” Underwood said. “I never want people to think that I’m coming out to change the narrative, or to brush over and not take responsibility for my actions, and now that I have this gay life that I don’t have to address my past as a straight man.”
He added: “Controlling situations to try to grasp at any part of the straight fantasy that I was trying to live out was so wrong.”
Underwood admitted that he was in “such a dark place” after Randolph broke up with him. He said this was because he knew that his last straight relationship was over, and he would have to face the reality that he is a gay man.
Colton Underwood apologised for his behaviour towards Randolph and her family, but he wouldn’t go into further detail “out of respect” for Randolph. He said he wanted the Variety interview to be the “last time” he addressed her because “it’s not fair for her to have her name in articles” every time he talks.
“I’m sorry, and I want her to know that I hope she has the best, most beautiful life,” Underwood said.
The former NFL player also told Variety he was “getting blackmailed” during his “rock bottom and spiral” after someone saw him at a spa known for catering to cay clientele. The unidentified person threatened to “out” Underwood to the press, and the horrific incident led to him making his sexuality such a public affair on Good Morning America.