After news broke the news broke that The Bachelorette star Jed Wyatt had a girlfriend when he started filming the show, the singer-songwriter asked his fans to “focus on” his relationship with lead Hannah Brown and “spreading actual love.” Now, less than a week later, the reality star has gotten even more direct with his followers on Instagram. On Monday, July 8, the star took to the social media site just hours before the new episode aired to ask fans to stop the hate. Revealing that his family has faced attacks, he’s asking his followers and his haters alike to “understand” how their words can affect his “mental and physical health.”

In the statement, Jed, 25, seemingly addressed the drama by starting, “Hi ya’ll. Several of you have reached out with messages and questions. Please know I’m not able to answer right now, but as soon as I’m able to, I will.” On the subject of hate, he continued, “Until then, I ask that you please understand how much the actions being taken towards myself, my family, the men on the show, and above all, Hannah, are affecting all of our mental and physical health.”

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Hi ya’ll. Several of you have reached out with messages and questions. Please know I’m not able to answer right now, but as soon as I’m able to, I will. •Until then, I ask that you please understand how much the actions being taken towards myself, my family, the men on the show, and above all, Hannah, are affecting all of our mental and physical health. •It goes beyond what is said online. Threatening letters and phone calls have been sent to our homes. My parents and sister are being verbally attacked in public. I beg you to remember what seems like a harmless action is damaging to real people. •I want to thank all of you who have reached out or reserved judgement until I am able to speak openly and I can only ask for your patience and kindness until then.

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“It goes beyond what is said online,” he added. “Threatening letters and phone calls have been sent to our homes. My parents and sister are being verbally attacked in public. I beg you to remember what seems like a harmless action is damaging to real people. I want to thank all of you who have reached out or reserved judgement until I am able to speak openly and I can only ask for your patience and kindness until then.”

In the July 8 episode, Jed will introduce both Hannah and fans to his family as he takes them to Knoxville, Tennessee for hometowns. However, the episode has already stirred up some strong feelings among fans who’ve been following the behind-the-scenes scandal. Some wonder how much his family knew about his relationship with singer Haley Stevens and if they were aware that he was dating both her and Hannah at the same time. However, even those who disagree with the reality star’s actions agree that he and his family shouldn’t have to deal with threats.

“You are not a victim of this situation … but I don’t think your family and you deserve [to be] treated the way you are telling us in this post,” wrote one fan. “What you did was wrong. I hope there is a good explanation about it. But should you, your family and anyone around you be [attacked] and [bullied]? No! Mental health is a serious thing. You and your family are in my prayers, 🙏” added another. Even one of Jed’s competitors on the show, Garrett Powell, spoke up. “Love you, Jed,” he wrote. “Keep fighting, my man. You know the boys are all here for you!”