Find out Why Production on ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Was Initially Shut Down
After a whirlwind of events and shocking sexual misconduct allegations, Bachelor in Paradise faced the very real possibility of being shut down. But tonight, the Bachelor and Bachelorette spinoff is set to make its return to TV with the Season 4 premiere and the trailer promised to address exactly what went on behind the scenes.
The incident happened between franchise villains Corinnne Olympios and DeMario Jackson and DeMario is set to return to paradise this week to finally address the situation in front of Bachelor Nation. We’ve pieced together a comprehensive timeline — keep reading below to find out what happened and what to expect from this week’s episode!
Everything went down on the first day of filming.
Corinne (from Nick Viall’s season of The Bachelor) and DeMario (from Rachel Lindsay’s season of The Bachelorette) arrived in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico along with the rest of their fellow castmates, and the partying started as soon as everyone settled in. Corinne and DeMario immediately hit it off and they started making out after a couple of drinks, according to TMZ. They decided to move to the pool, where there was “rubbing, touching and fingering” and they allegedly engaged in oral sex.
MORE: ‘Bachelorette’ Contestant DeMario Jackson Didn’t Even Apply to Be on the Show!
The following day, a producer — who was not on set at the time of their hookup — reviewed the footage and felt that Corinne seemed too intoxicated to consent to sexual contact. That producer filed a complaint with Warner Bros. and the production company swiftly released a statement regarding the matter.
“We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico,” the network said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
Corinne released a statement.
The 24-year-old claimed that she had “little memory” of what happened that night in a statement, and she referred to herself as a victim.”As a woman, this is my worst nightmare and it has now become my reality,” she wrote in a statement obtained by TMZ. “As I pursue the details and facts surrounding that night and the immediate days after, I have retained a group of professionals to ensure that what happened on June 4 comes to light and I can continue my life, including hiring an attorney to obtain justice and seeking therapy to begin dealing with the physical and emotional trauma stemming from that evening.”
DeMario maintained his innocence.
Throughout the week-and-half-long investigation, he repeatedly said that he felt confident that the video footage would exonerate him — and it did. Corinne appeared to be “fully engaged” and “lucid” during their pool hookup, according to TMZ.
ABC immediately resumed filming.
“We appreciate the swift and complete investigation by Warner Bros. into allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise,” a network spokesperson revealed in a statement obtained by Life & Style. “Given their results, the series will resume production, and will air this summer on ABC.”
The trailer teased footage of DeMario and Corinne’s hookup.
“This is 30 minutes into paradise and Corinne and DeMario are already having a blast hanging out with each other in the pool,” a cast member narrated in the teaser clip. Then cameras quickly cut to a scene where producers pull DeMario and Corinne off the set and abruptly stop recording. Watch the full trailer below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmFKUBbqcyc
MORE: Corinne Turns Down Invite to Return to ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Shocking No One!
DeMario reflected on the ordeal before the season premiere.
“I’ve waited on this day for [two] months and [three] days because I want you all to see the truth with your own eyes and then form an opinion about the ‘situation,'” he wrote on Instagram. “Shout out to my family, friends and cast mates (who have become family). You have all showered me with so much love, support and I am extremely honored and humbled to have you all in my life.” Be sure to catch the Season 4 premiere of Bachelor in Paradise, airing Monday, Aug. at 8 p.m. on ABC.
DeMario breaks down in tears onstage.
In the teaser clip for this week’s episodes, he sits down with host Chris Harrison and he can’t help but get emotional when talking about what it was like for him to be accused of such horrible things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kemG0PyCYwU
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