(ABC)
For those awaiting the premiere of Bachelor in Paradise this coming August 2017, they may have to keep waiting. Recently, production was shut down over an alleged situation of sexual misconduct and TMZ reports that the incident occurred between contestant DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios. We were told Warner Bros. has launched a full investigation, but fans want to know what exactly happened. So far, TMZ reportedly has Jackson’s side of the story, which is that on the first day of production, he and Olympios were supposedly told by producers that one of the story lines would be the two of them getting together since they are considered villains in the franchise. TMZ says they were told Olympios and Jackson started drinking at the bar and Olympios jumped on his lap. They were said to be making out with a lot of “intense rubbing.” TMZ states that Jackson recalls Olympios suggesting they head into the pool, taking off their clothes, “rubbing, touching and fingering.” According to the media site, Jackson said that Olympios put her genitals in his face and he “began licking”. Unfortunately, there are reported to be others who disagree with Jackson’s account of what happened, though Jackson says the next day everything was normal. 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.
In an official statement to People, Warner Bros. said:
We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We have suspended production and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action.
Commenting on the situation, a source “close to the show” also told People:
It’s an incredibly difficult and complicated situation, primarily involving two contestants. The show absolutely values the primacy of consent, and this instance it appears as though conduct allegedly occurred without the proper consent having been given. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, and a lot of people who need a chance to tell their stories fully, and the producers and the authorities will make sure they are given every opportunity to do so. Most of all, everyone wants to ensure the safety and well-being, both mentally and physically, of all parties involved.
As for DeMario Jackson, he was recently kicked off of Rachel Lindsay’s season of The Bachelorette when a girl showed up, who was supposedly his girlfriend. The situation became uncomfortable and Lindsay was not satisfied with Jackson’s “explanations”. It appeared that he never broke off the relationship he had prior to the show, but he tried to defend himself. Unfortunately, his major mistake was when he first saw his “ex”, he said, “Who’s that?” His fellow contestants were not very happy about the dishonesty they felt that Jackson displayed.
There are rumors that filming is over and the show could be cancelled, but fans are hoping this is not the case. As for right now, season 4 filming of BIP is suspended “idefinitely”, according to E! News. BIP4 is still set to premiere August 8, 2017, but Bachelor guru Reality Steve has tweeted the following statements:
From I’ve been told, the show has been cancelled. They’re done. Everyone’s being sent home.
Unfortunately, members of the cast were photographed at the airport, leaving to go home, so they are definitely not in “Paradise” anymore … The cast members who were on board this season prior to the incident, include Raven Gates, Corinne Olympios, Amanda Stanton, DeMario Jackson, Alexis Waters, Derek Peth, Lacey Mark, Kristina Schulman, Nick “St. Nick” Benvenutti, Danielle Maltby, Taylor Nolan, Robby Hayes, Ben Zorn, Jasmine Goode, Alex Woytkiw, and Vinny Ventiera.