(ABC/Paul Hebert)
DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios are at the center of an incident that has caused Bachelor In Paradise filming to be shut down “indefinitely”. TMZ reported Jackson’s side of the story, saying that on the first day of production, he and Olympios were told by producers that one of the story lines this season would be that the two of them would be getting together. The intrigue is that Olympios and Jackson are each considered villains in the franchise. TMZ stated they were told Olympios and Jackson started drinking at the bar and Olympios ended up jumping on his lap. They were said to be making out with a lot of “intense rubbing.” TMZ also reported that Jackson remembered Olympios suggesting they head into the pool, taking off their clothes, “rubbing, touching and fingering.” According to the media site, Jackson said Olympios put her genitals in his face and he “began licking”. Unfortunately, some others have a different account of what happened. Jackson said that he and Olympios were getting along well the next day, but then they were told by the Executive Producer that producers watched the footage and were “uncomfortable” with what they saw. As a result, a producer has filed a formal complaint with Warner Bros.
According to TMZ, Jackson wants footage of his encounter with Olympios released because he has nothing to hide. And, as for Olympios, witnesses told TMZ, “she was stumbling drunk, eyes closed, slurring badly and wearing her clothes inside out.” Olympios says she has no recollection of what happened with Jackson in the pool and she says she was too drunk to give Jackson consent. She also appears to blame producers for not stepping in. However, sources have told TMZ that, in the video footage, the sexual encounter appears totally consensual and Jackson does not seem to be the aggressor. Famed blogger Reality Steve’s take on the situation was:
Corinne was reportedly the aggressor in the situation, and both were equally drunk. Producers asked both DeMario and Corinne after the fact if their hookup was consensual, and both reportedly said yes. Corinne also made out with 4 other guys on the first day, some before and some after DeMario. They were Derek, Iggy, Nick, and Alex. On all the occasions, Corinne was the one who would go up to them aggressively and playfully and start making out with them. Was told that Corinne, although very intoxicated, was never at any point “black out drunk.” In response to reports that she had no idea what was happening or what she was doing, was told “that couldn’t be further from the truth.” I was told Corinne made numerous references after the hookups to how her boyfriend was going to be upset with her. After the hookups, DeMario and Corinne both filmed ITM’s, the hookup was discussed, and producers never brought this up as a situation that was inappropriate. Corinne and DeMario’s hook up was going to be a storyline on the show, just like any hook up on any season. It wasn’t until a rogue producer came forward to the show claiming that they saw the hook up as inappropriate and filed a complaint, did all hell break loose. I was told if the producer didn’t come forward with the complaint, everything would’ve continued as planned.
I’d say this adds another layer to the story
A show insider revealed to Radar Online that:
In the past during filming there has been sexual incidents – women touching penises, men pulling out their penis. Sex happened in front of people. With BIP even seasoned producers were complaining that they were exposed to nearly orgy-type sex. They were saying it’s a hostile work environment. Aside from drunk or not, producers complained about the fact they had to work in a such a sexually inappropriate environment … One who didn’t even complain admitted sometimes it feels like we’re working on a porn.
And, according to another insider, many cast and crew members are siding with Jackson. The insider told Radar:
DeMario has been described as a good guy, producers and execs like him. He knows what he signed up for and has been cooperative with producers. Everyone feels bad for him. She has been involved in multiple sexually provocative incidents sober, drunk and in between. She was scolded and reprimanded and warned. Her excuse that she was blackout drunk those involved with the show don’t believe.
The new season of Bachelor In Paradise is set to air in August 2017, but we’ll have to wait and see about the fate of the show. Blogger Reality Steve has stated that this season has been canceled, though this may upset fans. Steve’s take on the scheduling of the show is this:
It’s been canceled. There’s zero chance of it airing this summer. There hasn’t been any filming for a week, all the contestants are home, and due to time constraints (you know, they have a premiere date of August 8th), there’s just not a chance they’re bringing everyone back to film and will have everything ready to go by the 8th. And it’s not as easy to say, “Well, lets just push back the premiere date” when you’re working with major network television. Doesn’t work that way. “Bachelor in Paradise” for 2017 is done as we know it. What does it mean for the future? I don’t know.