Colton Underwood , the lead of the 23rd season of "The Bachelor ," came out as gay on Wednesday.- In a 2019 interview, comedian
Billy Eichner told Underwood he might be "the first gay Bachelor." - At the time, Eichner was joking, but Underwood seemed uncomfortable with the comment.
Two years before "Bachelor" lead Colton Underwood came out as gay in an interview on "Good Morning America," comedian Billy Eichner predicted the
During the first group date in Underwood's season, Eichner was called in as a
"I'm gay. I know that's a shock, Colton," Eichner joked. "That, I think, you should look into. Maybe you're the first gay Bachelor and we don't even know."
Underwood responded with stammering and uncomfortable laughter, to which Eichner said, "Put that in your promo. See you later" - ABC actually did.
Underwood came out during an interview that aired on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday. He explained he'd known he's gay since he was 6 years old, but he said he had been coming to terms with it for the past year.
He also broke up with his girlfriend, Cassie Randolph, last year. She later filed for a restraining order against him, alleging he had stalked her, in September 2020. She dropped it in November.
Underwood's admission makes him the first lead from "The Bachelor" or "Bachelorette" to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
-Good Morning America (@GMA) April 14, 2021
Since the interview, celebrities have been tweeting in support of Underwood, including Andy Cohen, Kalen Allen, and Bachelor Nation members Onyeka Ehie and Nicole Lopez-Alvar.
"Happy for @colton for speaking his truth. We support you," Ehie wrote.
-Andy Cohen (@Andy) April 14, 2021
-Kalen Allen (@TheKalenAllen) April 14, 2021
-Onyeka Ehie (@onyekaehie) April 14, 2021
-Nicole Lopez-Alvar (@nicolelovar) April 14, 2021
On Wednesday, Eichner had the moment brought to his attention with a tweet accompanying the clip that read, "This *did* age well." Eichner added: "I'm happy for @colton. If you're gay, be gay! I've been gay forever & I love it!"
-billy eichner (@billyeichner) April 14, 2021