Nightmare shakes up Bachelor in Paradise
Production suspended, probe launched after drinking culminates to alleged assault against contestant
In the span of a single week, the scandal surrounding what happened on the set of ABC reality series Bachelor in Paradise has spun into countless sordid tales and rampant rumours. Currently in its fourth season, the show follows 16 castoffs from previous seasons of The Bachelor and Bachelorette looking for love in the tropics (in this case, Sayulita, Mexico), while wearing too little and drinking too much.
Consider it a last chance at love ... for losers.
This season features franchise “villains," including Corinne Olympios, 25, and DeMario Jackson, 30. Both have been considered particularly chaotic personalities (in other words, built for great TV).
According to the L.A. Times, the two were informed by production that one of the “storylines” this season would be their coupling. In other words, they were encouraged by those making the show to spend time together and make TV magic.
On June 4, the first day of filming, Olympios and Jackson spent time together, drinking and flirting, culminating in a sexual encounter that led from the bar to the pool. Rumours abound but reports from TMZ suggest a producer suspected “misconduct” and reported the alleged sexual assault to Warner Bros. It’s unclear whether this producer witnessed the incident, watched footage or was reporting what she heard from another party. Her report led to an investigation. Whatever happened was caught on tape.
According to several sources that spoke to Vulture, the complaint alleges that Olympios appeared to be too drunk during filming to consent to Jackson’s attentions. Did the crew allow the moment to play out anyway, leading the producer to believe Olympios was sexually assaulted?
Other sources, via The Hollywood Reporter, have said Olympios appeared “lucid” the entire time.
Production was suspended a week later and contestants were sent home. As of now, no charges have been filed and the investigation by Warner Bros. remains internal, and will likely take one to two weeks.
Olympios has hired a top publicist and lawyer, and released the following statement: “I am a victim and have spent the last week trying to make sense of what happened on June 4. Although I have little memory of that night, something bad obviously took place, which I understand is why production on the show has now been suspended and a producer on the show has filed a complaint against the production. As a woman, this is my worst nightmare and it has now become my reality. As I pursue the details and facts surrounding that night and the immediate days after, I have retained a group of professionals to ensure that what happened on June 4, comes to light and I can continue my life, including hiring an attorney to obtain justice and seeking therapy to begin dealing with the physical and emotional trauma stemming from that evening.”
According to TMZ, Jackson was denying any wrongdoing on his part, and had been insisting the studio leak the tape to prove this. Shortly after Olympios released her statement, he made his own to E! News: “It’s unfortunate that my character and family name has been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations. I will be taking swift and appropriate legal action until my name is cleared and, per the advice of legal counsel, will be seeking all available remedies entitled to me under the laws.”
ABC has yet to confirm whether the current season will resume filming. With the cast having been sent home (told they “might” return), the scheduled airdate for the premiere, Aug. 8, is dubious. What that means for the series itself is up in the air. The death knell will be if advertisers choose to pull out, and that certainly isn’t unheard of when scandal comes calling on a TV series. And what it all means for The Bachelorette, which is currently airing on the network on Monday nights, is also unclear.
While this may all be a dark mark on the franchise itself, it’s hard to see the network choosing to depart with the long-running and very successful series. Besides, where would Chris Harrison go?
“As a woman, this is my worst nightmare and it has now become my reality.” — Corinne Olympios