“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,” Underwood stated. “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. I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. That means the world to me.”
The former star of ABC’s “The Bachelor” stated that he needs he had accepted his fact sooner.
“I’ve had sort of a range of responses and the underlying most common was ‘I wish you would have told me sooner’ and when I hear that I wish I would have had faith in my friends and family a little bit more,” Underwood stated. “The only reason I’m sitting down with you today is because I have the love and support of my friends and my family.
Underwood spoke about questioning his sexuality in his book, “The First Time: Finding Myself and Looking for Love on Reality TV.”
In it he said dating Randolph helped him realize he was straight.
“[The show taught me] that I’m straight and I’m very, very drawn to Cassie and girls — however it could have been OK if it could have been the opposite manner too,” Underwood told “Entertainment Tonight.” “I believe that is the most important message I’ve for individuals.”
Following his announcement Wednesday, GLAAD issued a statement in support of Colton.
“Every LGBTQ particular person’s journey to discovering and accepting their genuine self is completely different, and Colton Underwood’s resolution to share his fact with the general public reminds us that there isn’t a set timeline for popping out,” GLAAD’s Head of Talent, Anthony Allen Ramos said. “Given the massive and dependable fandom who know Colton from ‘The Bachelor,’ his popping out and dialogue of his religion will hopefully open eyes to the tens of millions of out and proud LGBTQ people who find themselves additionally individuals of religion.”
