During an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America today, former football player and contestant on The Bachelor Colton Underwood spoke freely about something he had apparently been holding in for a long time: his sexual orientation. Earlier this year, after a lengthy period of introspection, Underwood realized that, despite what his appearance on The Bachelor may have implied, he is attracted to men.
“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,” Underwood said. “The next step in all of this was letting people know. I’m still nervous. It’s been a journey, for sure.”
“I’m emotional, but in such a good, happy, positive way,” he added. “I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life, and that means the world to me.”
When Roberts asked Underwood why he waited so long to publicly announce this realization, he said it was because he was in a very dark place, emotionally. “I think overall the reason why now is because I got to place where I didn’t think I was ever going to share this. I would have rather died than say I’m gay,” he said.
JUST IN: Former “Bachelor” star @Colton Underwood speaks his truth and comes out to @robinroberts: “I’m gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it… I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life.” https://t.co/PoYJUAPBpA pic.twitter.com/isP7SptUu7
— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 14, 2021
He went on to discuss having suicidal thoughts, explaining that “There was a moment in L.A. that I woke up and I didn’t think I was going to wake up.”
“I didn’t have the intentions of waking up, and I did,” he said. “And I think for me, that was my wake up call of like, this is your life — take back control. I think looking back even beyond that, even just suicidal thoughts and you know, 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.”
After the interview, the producers of The Bachelor released a statement praising Underwood for his honesty and bravery. “We are so inspired by Colton Underwood’s courage to embrace and pursue his authentic self,” they said. “As firm believers in the power of love, we celebrate Colton’s journey in the LGBTQIA+ community every step of the way.”
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