This morning on the highly-promoted sit-down interview with GMA’s Robin Roberts, former ‘Bachelor’ lead Colton Underwood, revealed that he was gay and that he has finally come to terms with it.
The ex-football star shared: “Obviously this year’s been a lot for a lot of people, and it’s probably made a lot of people look themselves in the mirror and figure out who they are and what they’ve been running from or what they’ve been putting off in their lives. For me, I’ve ran from myself for a long time and I’ve hated myself for a long time, and I’m gay. I came to terms with that that earlier this year and have been processing it. The next step in all of this was sort of letting people know. I’m still nervous, but it’s been a journey for sure. I’m like the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. That means the world to me.”
Underwood expressed he went through a very dark time to be able to reveal his truth: “I got into a place in my personal life that was dark and bad. I can list a bunch of different things, but they’d all be excuses. I think overall the reason why now is because I got to a place where I didn’t think I was ever going to share this. I would rather have died than say ‘I’m gay,’ and I think that was sort of my wake up call. There was a moment in L.A. that I woke up and I didn’t think I was going to wake up,” he said. “I didn’t have the intentions of waking up, and I did. And I think for me that was my wake up call, that, ‘This is your life. Take back control.’ I think looking back even beyond that is… even just suicidal thoughts and driving my car close to a cliff, like, ‘Oh, if this goes off the cliff, it’s not that big of a deal.’ I don’t feel that anymore.”’
As to the questions or anger that ‘Bachelor Nation’ are going to have that Underwood misled the female contestants on his season, or he duped the audience, Colton said: “I thought a lot about this…Do I regret being ‘The Bachelor?’ And handling it the way that I did?’ I do think I could have handled it better, I’ll say that. I just wish I wouldn’t have dragged people into my own mess of figuring out who I was. I genuinely mean that, but also at the same time I can say ‘I’m sorry’ to all of those women, I can also say ‘thank you,’ because without them and without the ‘Bachelor’ franchise, I don’t know if this would have ever come out.”
Colton was highly-promoted during his season as the “Virgin Bachelor”. He acknowledged he was indeed a virgin at that time, but it was because he was gay, but just “didn’t know how to handle it”. Underwood also shared he was thankful to God that he was cast on the reality-competition as one of its season’s leads because he thought that would make him straight. He told Roberts in his talk with God, ‘Finally, you’re letting me be straight. Finally, you’re giving me a wife, a fiancée, and then I’m going to have the kids, then I’m going to have the house, and then I’m going to have all this.’

Photo: JPI
As to his contentious break-up with ‘Bachelor’ contestant, Cassie Randolph, where she had at one time had a restraining order put on Underwood and later revoked it, he admitted: “I would like to say sorry for how things ended. I messed up, I made a lot of bad choices.” But told Robin Roberts, he indeed loved Cassie, sharing, “That only made it harder and more confusing for me. if I’m being very honest, I loved everything about her. And it’s hard for me to articulate exactly what my emotions were, and going through that relationship with her was, because I obviously had an internal fight going on. I would just say that I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry for any pain and emotional stress I caused. I wish it wouldn’t have happened the way it did. I wish that I would have been courageous enough to fix myself before I broke anybody else.”
Underwood shared that his upbringing in the Catholic church and being in the world of high school, college, and pro sports contributed to why he never came out previously, citing,: ” learned in the Bible that gay is a sin. I had made mistakes in my sports and in my athletic career, and when you make mistakes, ‘that play was gay’ or that was a bad… gay was always affiliated with a connotation of negativity, and I think there’s a lot of things when I look back, like, ‘No wonder I held it in.’”
So, were you surprised that Colton revealed he was gay? How do you feel about the journey he expressed in his interview on GMA to speak his truth? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I havent been watching, so Neil has gone to the Victor Newman School For Revenge Seekers…lol
In my humblest of opinions, it’s the best part of the show. Kristoff St. John is turning in the best work he has ever done. Love revenge-seeking Neil.
he does seem more interesting now
I like the actors but this Winters family story just does not hold interest to me. This ongoing dark turn of Neil, though I understand and welcomed at first, seems wrong for me, as for many years Neil was Mr. Nice Guy. I am sad Y&R has lost Malcolm, Dru, and Olivia. Neil seems cast adrift since their departures and demises. Shoestring family, relationships and repeats of the original love quadrangle plot over the years have not been all that “and a bag of chips.”
I know what you mean, Iakovos. This storyline is incredible ….how can the writers expect us to believe this drivel? How stupid Neil and Gwen are? She is the worst giving advice. She doesn’t want to lose him? At this point they will both go to jail. Are they expecting a reward for holding Hilary, who cannot make any decisions on her own, prisoner? There is no other word to describe what is being done to her. Therein lies the crime…and, there will be hell to pay. Even if Hilary tells the truth, that Neil saved her, he had no… Read more »
The first thing Devon and Hillary need to do is get out of this story with Neil and out from underneath his thumb. Chuck needs to give them their own story.
Good. I’m tired of seeing her just lay still in bed. This is a story I look forward to based upon the characters and their relationships and positions in GC. Can’t wait to see it move forward.
I’m happy she’s back, I love her as an actor. I was never a fan of Hevon…Too bad they destroyed what she had with Neil.
I thought she had chemistry with Cane.
She’s too damn young for Neil and too damn good for Duh-Yawn.
Hilary had no chemistry with Cane whatsoever. She was out for revenge back then. She is not to young for Neil but she doesn’t have chemistry with Neil. I’m assuming you mean Devon so far he is the only one she really has chemistry with.
I don’t really like to see Hilary with either Devon or Neil. Firstly, Neil (and the writers) needs to come to grips with the fact that he is a middle-aged grandfather and should get chasing young women out of his head. Secondly, Devon still looks twelve to me. Mishael’s talents as a woman and as an actress are wasted with either of these character. Let her loose. Recast Billy with a young guy who has great looks, personality; a good heart, and give him to Hilary…..or Joe; what a waste of a perfectly gorgeous, sexy man.
hey CeeCee 🙂
I can’t help it, but- everytime I see Neil I see a lecherous dirty old man.
he makes me cringe, yucky guy, eeewww ..
For the first time in 24 years, I’m REALLY enjoying Neil in a story line. He’s been such a goody two shoes and that never really suited him. Revenge seeking Neil is EVERYTHING.
@su. Well, Su? Neil is OK for someone his own age. But with Hilary? Or Gwen? Yucky is right!! TPTB need to have Neil act his age. His children are grown. He has grandkids. He has a little son with Leslie….let it go, Neil. It is time to settle into the other half of his life; not start anew by starting a family. Why can’t the writers get that? It’s the same with Cricket and Paul. Gimme me a break. Some of these characters are older than my parents. I can’t even imagine them starting over at their age by… Read more »
@Carolina. Hi, I am not arguing revenge here. As human beings we must have all experienced a twinge of it one time or other….whether we pursue it or not is another story. I know I could never hurt another living thing. My contention is coupling Neil with women half his age. The writers should give that up and settle him down. There are many, many of us who could care less about Neil, but there he is taking up air time which should be devoted to interesting characters, not a stale character such as he. I feel force-fed by everything… Read more »
First of all most of the older actors on the Y&R have a 15 – 20 year age difference between them and their partners ie Victor & Nikki (15 yrs), Phyllis & Jack (20 yrs). Older men marry younger women all the time. There is no problem with age difference Nikki, Phyllis, Chrisitne and Hilary are all mature women.
I’m very happy that Mishael is back to work! I’ve loved the character of Hilary, even when she’s been devious! It’s time to see her back on, ASAP!
Hilary will not remember anything.
From a head injury she will suffer memory loss and Neil will be on the edge until she remember most likely this coming spring .. WISI ..((lol ..
You are probably right, su. I was thinking the same thing…..which means we have to witness a long-term tormented Neil where Hilary may remember her ordeal, implicating Neil, at any time. Ugh!!
She’s a superstar – the best cast addition to Y&R in forever.
She could have laid at the bottom of the gorge and let the high tide take her away for all I care! Oh and with Summer tied to her ankle!
I think it’s a shame that the writer’s used a fairly good character and turned him into a serial killer.
Are you talking about Neil, Sheaila? He’s not a serial killer. The serial killer is dead, isn’t he?
I like Hillary. I like Cane. Quite honestly, the story should’ve been that when Hillary came to town, she was genuinely interested in Cane. Hillary and Cane should’ve slept together, and been an item — causing all kinds of trouble for Lilly and Cane’s relationship. It’s a shame, too, because Cane and Hillary are much better than their boring story lines. I have no idea why neither one of these characters isn’t mixing it up with the other more elite residents of Genoa City. I hope Hillary wakes up and thinks Cane is her husband — NOT Devon, NOT Neil.
Neil taking Hilary was the lamest story ever– if had taken her on purpose in order to set up Devon for her murder that I could have believed. But this whole business of her falling off a cliff, Neil saving her and then taking her in order to nurse her back to health himself, so she could wake up and tell everyone he didn’t push her off the cliff made no sense. Glad she is coming back and then can end this story and Neil can end up in Fairview with Patty, because he is losing touch with reality if… Read more »
If Neil had made himself known as Hilary’s rescuer, then everyone would know he followed her and Devon to the Virgin Islands. However, I agree with you, Mary. This story did not have to be so convoluted. Yes, Mishael needed the time to have her baby and convalesce. It could have been so much simpler if the bride and groom had just stayed away on their honeymoon for the duration, instead of creating this stupid story the writers consider drama. No one would have missed either of them. They bring nothing to the stage. These characters, including Neil, are just… Read more »
But that is what was so lame about it, big deal he followed them to the island, he revealed the so called affair– if Hilary hadn’t fallen, then everyone would have known he had been there anyway— Neil used to be such a level headed guy, for him to automatically assume he be arrested for harming Hilary if had just come forward right away didn’t make sense. This was as you said a convoluted way to fill time while the actress was away, but it was neither compelling or entertaining to watch– if Neil had kidnapped Hilary, then set Devon… Read more »
@Mar SF.
Devon going to trial for murder would have been a really compelling story, Mary. You are so right. Devon would have been convicted and then Hilary shows up alive and well, after remembering who she is. And, as a happy twist, she comes back with a baby…LOL.
I did not like Hilary for the longest time, Mister Media ( why the name? Are you a journalist? Lol.). But, you are right, I do appreciate her acting now. She has won me over. That re-enforces my wish to get her away from baby Devon and Gramps.
Ohhh gros Devon.. He and Hillary are yucky lol Worst mistake was giving Devon billions .. Katherine leaves Devon the remainder of her estate, amounting in $2.45 billion. That was written by done by Jean and Shelly, GH new head writers. Katherine last appearance September 4, 2013 Devon has absolutely no business background to even be able to create a man of intrigue and interest of him. his having 2.45 billion dollars is asinine. The biggest waste of an opportunity to give the Newmans and Abbotts a run for the golden ring by giving billions to immature lackluster Devon.. IF… Read more »
Hey, Su,
I do agree with you, my friend. I always felt the money should have gone to Mackenzie.
Huge mistake. Grievin’ Devon is not sofisticated enough to have this kind of money, nor is he suave enough for a woman like Hilary.
Katherine left billions to Devon because she was a good judge of character and he is her grandson. Katherine knows Devon is a good person just because he fell in love with his father’s wife doesn’t make him a bad person. He set up the money for Delia foundation and Michael has set up charities you must have missed those episodes. Devon also has a university degree in business again you must have missed those episodes or FF through them.
@Stacey. Yup….Devon must have graduated from the same University as Nick Newman, Victoria and Abby. I do not much appreciate your sarcasm, nor your derogatory and condescending tone, Stacey, with all due respect. I missed nothing! Devon has no experience in a multi billion dollar world,. I am sure that’s what Su meant. Some of us cannot tolerate how the writers expect us to buy everything they sell. It hurts to see another soap being buried….but I still come back for more because I love my soaps. I do not need you to tell me I must have missed episodes,… Read more »
Love Hilary!! Glad Mishael is back, she’s my favorite, also love Hilary & Devon.
I hope YR gives them a story away from Neil, the actors deserve it, and shine.
@Stacey.
Hi, Stacey.
I know that’s how it is on soaps. I ask why? I complain about Jack and Phyllis also. It bothers me to no end how these older actors are portrayed as young men just starting out in life. Watching Jack/Marco making out with Marissa, only 26, grossed me out. Yes, it does happen in real life, but it is not the norm. At least, Victor is no longer written as a sex crazed old man on Viagra. I haven’t seen him exchange oral fluids with any female in a while.
although im glad to see the winters clan specifically neil involved in a heavy frontburner story its unfortunate its at a cost of neils real characterization. neil is vanilla and a good guy, yes he is seeking revenge but even this is too much. pratt is guilty now of possibly turning neil into a one note villian like victor. nei l needs some lovin from either gwen or bring back leslie(who i loved him with)!!! neil will have to do some serious redeeming but like sharon i think that boat ahs sailed. neil will end up like sharon who the… Read more »
I suppose, Damien. But it seems no girl/woman ever lasts with Neil….every relationship is short lived since Dru. And, this is not the first time Devon hooked up with one of Neil’s women. All so much younger than him. For an instant, I thought he would hook up with Nikki. I would not have minded that. But, because Neil is do special, he must have a much younger woman on his arm. Ugh!
I agree with CeeCee in that no relationship or marriage, other than to Dru, has lasted with Neil, and the character deserves better. Never mind Victoria Rowell, who has been gone for eons and will apparently not be hired back. Recast the role and return Dru to Neil once and for all. Perhaps even Chuck Pratt (not a favourite head writer of mine) can produce a reasonable rationale for Dru’s long absence and reunite her with the love of her life. The new actress should be close to Kristoff’s age in order to make it believable, and let’s leave the… Read more »
Finally, someone who gets my point! Thank you, Sandy J. The writers have turned Neil into a stray alley-cat. Where did he go? And, why do said writers keep pitting him and Devon against each other with women whom either one is involved? This is probably the umpteenth time I have said it….settle Neil down with a ‘mature’ (lol) woman and enjoy his grandkids.