The Bachelor star Colton Underwood thought he was gay because he was bullied in high school
Colton Underwood (Instagram)
The Bachelor star Colton Underwood, who is straight, has said that homophobic bullying at school made him question whether he might be gay.
The reality television star, who is currently recovering from COVID-19, told People about the bullying he endured throughout his childhood and adolescence.
When he was in grade school, children started to call him “fatso, four eyes and four lips”.
The Bachelor star Colton Underwood faced rumours that he was gay in high school.
“I was a little heavy, and that, combined with being socially awkward, led to a really hard time. I didn’t believe in myself. And I was super insecure,” he said.
When he was in high school, the former footballer faced rumours that he was secretly gay. Rumours circulated because of his decision to abstain from sex.
I thought, ‘Maybe I am gay.’ The captain of the football team should be having sex and drinking, right? But I wasn’t.
“It was one of those things where you hear something so often, you start believing it,” he said.
“I thought, ‘Maybe I am gay.’ The captain of the football team should be having sex and drinking, right? But I wasn’t.”
He said he questioned his sexual orientation as far back as grade school and even searched “am I gay?” online.
“I didn’t know who I was, and I come from an athletic family, so it was always, ‘Move on, you’re good.’ So that threw me off. In high school, when I was struggling with my sexuality, I’m not going to talk to my parents about it. So I internalised it.”
The former footballer is currently recovering after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Underwood later realised that he was straight but continued to face rumours that he was secretly gay during his time on The Bachelor.
Speaking of his girlfriend Cassie Randolph, who he met on the reality television series, Underwood said he had found someone he really wants to be with.
“I want my life to be with Cassie. I know who I am. And that’s really all that matters.”
Queer Eye star Karamo Brown previously came under fire for speculating on Twitter that Underwood was gay.
Underwood, who is gearing up to release an autobiography called The First Time, is currently recovering after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
