ABC/Paul Hebert
In June 2017, just a couple days into filming season 4 of Bachelor in Paradise, allegations of sexual misconduct claimed by a couple producers forced production to shut down and soon, an investigation was launched. TMZ was the first to report that an incident occurred between contestants DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios. A couple members of production reportedly felt uncomfortable by a sexual encounter in a pool and E! News reported that the producer who filed the complaint did not witness the alleged incident. A source told E!, “that the producer was not present when the encounter occurred, has not viewed footage of the encounter, and only heard about it second or third hand.” Reality Steve then identified this producer as Shelby Adams, who he reports to be a very good friend of Corinne Olympios, as she was her producer on Nick Viall’s season of The Bachelor. Reality Steve also said that:
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.
When TMZ first spoke with DeMario Jackson about the incident, he said that on the first day of production, he and Olympios were allegedly told by producers that one of the story lines this season would be the two of them hitting it off together since they are both villains from their time with the franchise. TMZ stated that Jackson recalled Olympios suggesting they head into the pool, where they took off their clothes, continuing with “rubbing, touching and fingering.” Jackson said that Olympios put her genitals in his face and so, he “began licking”. He also 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. Just before the first rose ceremony, Olympios and Jackson were each pulled away by production and Olympios appeared surprised. The cast and crew were left confused and production was immediately suspended.
Many of the cast members jumped to the defense of Jackson. For example, Jasmine Goode told Radar Online:
The day of the incident under investigation, Corinne did not display any change in behavior from what was observed by the cast on her season of The Bachelor. Corinne forced herself on three male cast members, when they were unable to consent, in addition to engaging with DeMario. After the incident everything seemed fine. There was no mention about being hurt. However, when producers tried to cut her off from drinking, she got upset and said, ‘Watch, watch what I’m gonna do.’
Cast member Raven Gates backed up Goode in a statement via Facebook, writing that:
I stand 100% with my friend Jasmine Goode. As an eyewitness myself, a friend of Corinne’s, and as a woman I would have stepped in if she needed me … I am SICK to my stomach for the pain DeMario is going through. I love Corinne but she was VERY COHERENT that day. After this incident she proceeded to make out with 3 other men, straddling them, and jumping on them. I witnessed this myself. Along with her saying that her boyfriend was going to be mad at her.
As for what Olympios had to say about the incident at the time that news broke in regards to the scandal, she told E! News:
I am a victim and have spent the last week trying to make sense of what happened the night of 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.
Corinne Olympios actually had a boyfriend outside the show when she started filming Bachelor in Paradise and she allegedly said she didn’t want to hurt her relationship with him. Reality Steve revealed that his sources said the following about what took place during the incident:
DeMario and Corinne knew other people were watching and neither were the least bit fazed by it. I was even told they were drawing attention to themselves … I was told they did not have intercourse, but there were plenty of other sex acts happening. 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.
Olympios’ boyfriend is a man named Jordan Gielchinsky, who appeared to support Olympios during the scandal.
Warner Bros. reported that a full investigation was carried out and that it found no evidence of misconduct on either contestant’s part.