Colton Underwood, the 26-year-old virgin from Season 23 of The Bachelor, came out on Good Morning America on Wednesday morning. âIâve ran from myself for a long time, Iâve hated myself for a long time,â Colton nervously told Robin Roberts, âand Iâm gay.â
JUST IN: Former âBachelorâ star @Colton Underwood speaks his truth and comes out to @robinroberts: âIâm gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it⦠Iâm the happiest and healthiest Iâve ever been in my life.â https://t.co/PoYJUAPBpA pic.twitter.com/isP7SptUu7
— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 14, 2021
The news might have shocked Bachelor Nation, but it probably came as absolutely no surprise to Billy Eichner. The comedian seemingly predicted Underwoodâs sexuality just two episodes into Season 23. Eichner was brought in as âcamp counselorâ (and comic relief) during the 2019 sleepaway camp episode of Underwoodâs season. At one point, Eichner told Underwood, âMaybe youâre the first gay bachelor and we donât even know!â
The clip went viral shortly after GMA aired.
colton had more chemistry with billy eichner than any of the contestants on his season and this was foreshadowing at its finest #thebachelor pic.twitter.com/cuAc47aWfV
— clarise renaldi queen of genovia (@clairemarie_31) April 14, 2021
Looking back now, that entire segment from the show is prescient. At one point, as the women compete in teams to win a night of camping with Underwood, Eichner quips: âWhere is the red team going? Itâs like Colton trying to find a vagina!â
In a one-on-one chat, Eichner also tells Underwood that one-night stands are âfantastic,â gives him a reality check on bad sex, and makes fun of The Bachelorâs dating rituals. âHe just says whatâs on his mind and Iâm a big fan,â Underwood noted at the time.
You can watch the full segment below.
The executive producers of The Bachelor made a statement in support of Underwood on Wednesday morning. âWe are so inspired by Colton Underwoodâs courage to embrace and pursue his authentic self,â they said. âAs firm believers in the power of love, we celebrate Coltonâs journey in the LGBTQIA+ community every step of the way.â
GLAAD also released a statement in support of Underwood. âThere is no set timeline for coming out,â it said. âGiven the large and loyal fandom who know Colton from The Bachelor, his coming out and discussion of his faith will hopefully open eyes to the millions of out and proud LGBTQ people who are also people of faith.â
On the back of that, Eichner made another prediction…
Hereâs how Hollywood works: Coltonâs gonna get a GLAAD Award before I do
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) April 14, 2021
Letâs hope heâs wrong about that one.
Copyright 2021 KQED