‘Bachelor’ scandal
A shocking incident leads to the shut-down of US reality show ‘Bachelor in Paradise’
JUST TWO DAYS INTO FILMING the new series of US reality-tv show Bachelor in Paradise, production was stopped and contestants isolated from each other. By June 13, “We were put on lockdown,” a cast member tells WHO. Sources confirm filming in Sayulita, Mexico, was suspended after a producer raised concerns about an alleged sexual encounter between contestant Demario Jackson, 30, and a female castmate, both of whom had reportedly been drinking heavily all day. The conduct “may have occurred without the proper consent being given,” says a show source.
As of press time no legal action had been taken, and neither cast member had spoken out about what happened ( WHO has declined to name the alleged victim). “The safety of the cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us,” says the show’s host, Chris Harrison. “An investigation was started immediately ... once that’s done, a clear, concise decision can be made about where we go from here.”
The cast, some of whom had quit work to join the game of romantic musical chairs in which those unable to couple up are sent home, say producers “could have seen she was drinking too much and stopped it.” But a former show producer says he isn’t surprised about this incident: “It’s par for the course that there is a drunken hook-up that went too far— that certainly goes on all the time.” Of the reason why, he notes, “Bachelor in Paradise is like spring break or summer camp. No-one’s forcing you to drink, but it’s a party vibe.”
Several show sources have said they believe Jackson did nothing wrong, and Harrison cautions against a rush to judgement. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he says. “It is my sincere hope that we can come to a quick resolution on this and get back to work very soon.”
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