'Bachelor in Paradise' Probably Canceled After 'Allegations of Misconduct' (UPDATES)
Something happened on the set of "Bachelor in Paradise" involving Corinne Olympios of "The Bachelor" and DeMario Jackson of "The Bachelorette," and that something has led to the 2017 show being suspended for now, and potentially canceled entirely.
Season 4 of the Bachelor Nation spinoff is still scheduled to premiere August 8 on ABC, as of this moment, but the cast members have been sent home from the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico filming location while producers and the network investigate what happened.
Here's the statement the show issued over the weekend:
"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."
E! News was the first to report the news that production had been suspended "indefinitely." Another source told them that the situation was quite serious and that the production isn't just suspended, that it's totally done for this season and possibly forever.
However, Entertainment Weekly was told by a network source that the show has not been canceled. They are just going with "suspended" at the moment, while acknowledging that all of the cast members were sent home.
On Twitter, Amy Kaufman of the L.A. Times has been tweeting about what she was told by a source in regard to why the show has been canceled:
I just spoke to a source who says he knows why "Bachelor in Paradise" was just cancelled. Here we go:
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
On the first day of production, Sunday, DeMario and Corinne got extremely drunk, per my source.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
Corinne came up to DeMario at the bar and kissed him. They proceeded to the pool, where they got naked.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
From this point forward, things turned into "soft core porn." They did not have sex. But it was very raunchy.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
The following day, Monday, a producer who witnessed this hook-up did not show up to work.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
According to my source, this producer went on to sue the production for misconduct over what she witnessed between DeMario and Corinne.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
DeMario and Corinne were both shown footage of their hookup during their interviews in the days following their rendezvous.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
I will report more as I have it.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
My source was told a producer filed a "third party complaint," to clarify my above comment.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) June 11, 2017
TMZ has a report from people who spoke with DeMario, sharing his side of what happened. It apparently started with the producers telling Corinne and DeMario that one of the "storylines" this season would involve the two "villain" characters hooking up. (So anyone who still doesn't understand that, yes, the producers pre-script hookup storylines, here's your proof.)
Here's what happened next, per DeMario to sources to TMZ:
"We're told the 2 met at the bar and the alcohol was flowing. DeMario says Corinne jumped in his lap and started making out with him. We're told there was lots of 'intense rubbing.'
DeMario says Corinne then suggested they retreat to the pool, with the cameras rolling. They took off their clothes, started making out and 'rubbing, touching and fingering.' He says she put her genitals in his face and he began licking, but we're told this allegation is a big point of contention and others disagree with his account. He says he was not able to engage in intercourse because of the alcohol.
DeMario says the next day everything was fine and he and Corrine were actually getting along well, but on Tuesday they were called in by the Executive Producer and told one of the show producers had seen the film and was 'uncomfortable' with what was shot.
The producer has filed a formal complaint with Warner Bros. Warner brass immediately suspended production, launched an investigation and released DeMario and Corrine. Two days later Warner Bros. released the entire cast while they investigated alleged 'misconduct.'"
TMZ later updated with details on the field producer's allegations:
"'Bachelor in Paradise' was shut down because a field producer filed a complaint that Corinne Olympios seemed so drunk the first day of filming she had no ability to consent to DeMario Jackson's sexual moves in a swimming pool, and producers nonetheless let it play out on film.
The producer in question believes Corinne may have been sexually assaulted, although we know DeMario claims the encounter was not only consensual ... she was the instigator."
A source close to the show added to 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."
One of the show's cast members told People the incident was witnessed by two other stars, and several contestants are reportedly upset that the producers didn't step in beforehand:
"People are pissed, and not just at DeMario. We're pissed that this whole thing happened. They could have seen that she was drinking too much and that he was taking advantage. They could have stopped this before it got this far. But they decided to let it go, and let it happen, and see what happened? So, I'm angry at the show, and everyone else is too."
TMZ later updated with Team Corinne's side of things, with Corinne saying she was in a blackout state when she and DeMario got sexual. While he recalls every detail, she says she remembers nothing.
"We're told the day after the swimming pool incident she claims fellow cast members began telling her stories of what went down with DeMario. She says several cast members told her they had voiced concern to people on the production crew that she was in no position to consent to sexual activity, but the crew did not heed their warnings.
Production sources insist other cast members did not complain to anyone that Corinne was too drunk to form an intent to have sexual contact with DeMario.
Corinne has told her friends she has a boyfriend and wouldn't have done what she did -- especially with cameras rolling -- to jeopardize that relationship.
As we reported, sources familiar with the footage say she appeared 'fully engaged.' Corrine doesn't fully blame DeMario because he too was drunk. She blames producers and has lawyered up."
You have to wonder what Corinne was doing on "Bachelor in Paradise" if she had a boyfriend, but that's beside the point. The point is that she was allegedly too drunk to consent. But if DeMario was drunk too, wouldn't he also have been too drunk to consent? Where is the line on who was too drunk?
It's not like "Bachelor in Paradise" is a stranger to drunken hookups -- that's kind of the basis of the show -- but maybe this is the consent lesson the whole franchise needed.
Stay tuned for more details.
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