Updated June 14, 12:30 p.m. PT: Corinne Olympios has released a statement about the halting of production on her season of Bachelor in Paradise, and in it, she confirmed our worst fears: What happened on set was something terrible and damaging.
"I am a victim and have spent the last week trying to make sense of what happened on June 4. Although I have little memory of that night, something bad obviously took place, which I understand is why production on the show has now been suspended and a producer on the show has filed a complaint against the production," Olympios' statement read.
She continued, "As a woman, this is my worst nightmare and it has now become my reality. 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."
If Olympios doesn't even remember the night in question, it basically confirms early rumors that the sexual encounter she had was not consensual. A woman who is blacked out drunk cannot consent, period.
Olympios' lawyer is top Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer, a ferocious litigator who has represented countless stars through scandal.
DeMario Jackson, the other BIP star implicated in the event on set, has already maintained his innocence, and claimed that the footage shot by the producers who stood by and watched Olympios' alleged assault take place will clear his name.
The whole situation is ugly and heartbreaking, and its repercussions are sure to ripple through Bachelor Nation for some time. In the meantime, our hearts are with Olympios, who is in the midst of an experience no woman should have to endure.
Updated June 14, 8:15 a.m. PT: DeMario Jackson has broken his silence — except not really.
For the first time since Bachelor in Paradise production was shut down over allegations of sexual misconduct, Jackson was spotted by paparazzi on his way out of a Starbucks in Los Angeles and asked about the constantly developing rumors surrounding the show.
His reply? "No comment," he told reporters. He did add, "I have nothing to say. You know, Corinne's an awesome girl and that's all I have to say. Love you all, thank you for the support."
A source close to Jackson told Entertainment Tonight that footage will tell a different story than the headlines have.
"He's definitely said a few times that based on his conversations with other cast mates who were there that they never felt like it was to the level it's being portrayed," the insider said. "DeMario feels the footage [from the show] will back up his side."
Updated June 13, 7:50 a.m. PT: The King of Bachelor Nation himself, Chris Harrison, has finally spoken out about the rumors surrounding Bachelor in Paradise, and he's honestly putting our minds a little more at ease, considering how disturbing some of those rumors have been.
"By now, no doubt, you have heard that we have suspended production on this season’s Bachelor in Paradise," Harrison's statement began. "I can confirm to you that this is sadly the case. Out of respect to all involved, there’s only so much I can and will say at this time. Normally with a situation like this I would not say anything until the incident is fully resolved, but with all the rumors and misinformation being put out there, I don’t find that to be possible anymore."
Harrison continued, "Let me start by saying the safety and care of the cast and crew of our show is of the utmost importance to us. It is with this thought in mind that we made the decision to suspend filming. An investigation into the situation was started immediately. Warner Bros. is handling the details of that investigation. They’re moving quickly to gather all the facts, and once that’s done, a clear, concise decision can be made about where we go from here."
Harrison also briefly addressed press reports about the incident, specifically saying at least some of what's in the headlines is misinformation. "There are a lot of competing details in the various press accounts of the incident," he said. "And there’s a lot of misinformation out there too. We urge everyone to be patient until the investigation is complete."
He concluded, "I know in this day and age we want — and even expect — immediate answers, but in this case, it’s just not possible. So again, I urge you to please be patient and respect the privacy of the parties involved. I will keep you as informed and up to date as I possibly can. We’re sorry for any inconvenience and disappointment this may have caused the cast, the crew and our loyal fans. It is my sincere hope that we can come to a quick resolution on this and get back to work very soon."
Now we just hope that Harrison isn't sugarcoating this situation.
Updated June 12, 10:00 a.m. PT: New reports are coming out about Bachelor in Paradise and rumors that the season has been canceled following "sexual misconduct" on the set.
People magazine reports that two separate sources, including an anonymous contestant from Season 4, have said producers filmed DeMario Jackson in a sexual encounter with Corinne Olympios while she was allegedly too drunk to consent. "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," a production source told the site.
A cast member from the show claimed that two other contestants saw the incident happen and said that cast members are upset producers didn't stop filming or intervene. "People are pissed, and not just at DeMario. We’re pissed that this whole thing happened," the unnamed contestant told People. "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."
Multiple sources have said that Warner Bros. is investigating the alleged incident. People reached out to Mexican police, who were not aware of any incident on set.
Meanwhile, some former BIP cast members have weighed in, including Robby Hayes and Chad Johnson. In retrospect, their comments about the incident are anything but comforting.
Robby Hayes reaction to BiP production shutdown
Robby Hayes reaction to BiP production shutdown
"What happens in paradise, stays in paradise. #NoComment #BIP4," Hayes wrote, showing a shocking disregard for the sensitive and traumatic nature of the sexual assault investigation that could be happening.
Johnson's reactions, however, appear to be much worse. On his Twitter, he made a couple of callous jokes and alluded to his own misconduct that got him removed from Season 3 of Bachelor in Paradise.
"I'm excited for The Bachelor in Pornadise," he wrote, adding, "TV Shows I've been on - 4... TV Shows I've messed up so bad that they had to stop filming - 0"
Chad Johnson reaction to BiP shutdown
Chad Johnson reaction to BiP shutdown
Chad Johnson reaction to BiP shutdown 2
Chad Johnson reaction to BiP shutdown 2
Our thoughts are with Olympios, and here's hoping the rest of Bachelor Nation can keep their mouths shut unless they have support to offer her.
Updated June 12, 2017, 5:20 a.m. PT: Following the unexpected reports of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise, which resulted in a full shutdown of production, new reports on the exact cause of the misconduct are now being revealed.
Entertainment Tonight has confirmed that Olympios and Jackson's alleged sexual misconduct on the BIP set led to a total shut down on filming. According to an ET source's recollection of the events leading to the shutdown, things were going as expected in the first days of filming. Arrivals went smoothly, filming went smoothly and so forth. The cast was, as the source says, "drinking all day, having a good time… the guys and girls were bopping around, talking to everyone, trying to make connections.'"
Then, during what sounds like a filmed mixer or meet-and-greet between the cast, the alleged incident occurred. The source revealed to ET that Jackson was in the pool when he was approached by Olympios. The two reportedly began chatting, then Olympios may have "hop[ped] onto [Jackson's] lap" at which time things got very sexy. Maybe a little too sexy.
Jackson and Olympios' actions reportedly made a BIP producer feel uncomfortable to the point that filming was halted and then the decision was made for filming to be postponed altogether. There is still no word at this time on whether Jackson or Olympios will face any serious repercussions for their actions or if filming will resume at a later date. ET's report indicates that Jackson reached out to Olympios via social media and the two may have reconciled about the incident. No other cast members are on record at this time about the incident.
Warner Bros. did release a statement about the BIP incident, which Us Weekly reports says, “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."
[A previous portion of this update to the story has been edited for sensitivity. It was written before the more specific details of the allegations of misconduct were learned and upon further reflection, it was insensitive given the severity of the allegations.]
Original story:
A concerning start to the week this Sunday as Bachelor in Paradise — spinoff of the Bachelor and Bachelorette franchises, where the “losers” from previous season hook up and cause drama on an island somewhere — has halted shooting of Season 4 due to “allegations of misconduct on the set,” according to a statement issued by Warner Bros. The show has a release date of Aug. 8, but all dates are subject to change with this stoppage.
More: Bachelor in Paradise Releases Full Cast List & Guys, DeMario Is Going
“We have suspended production,” the Warner Bros. statement continued. “We are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action.”
The cast members of this season were released just last week, and shooting had started after that at a resort in Sayulita, Mexico. So what could have happened? Rumors have started that the incident was between Corinne Olympios, the infamous villain from Nick Viall’s season, and DeMario Jackson, the infamous idiot who joined the cast of this season of the Bachelorette while he had a girlfriend.
More: The Bachelor's Amanda Stanton Is Officially Ditching Josh & Heading to Paradise
This detective work as to who was involved comes from Reality Steve, aka Steve Carbone, who regularly spoils reality shows on his blog. He tweeted a photo that was sent to him by a fan, who snapped the picture at the airport after meeting the whole cast.
The whole cast — except Olympios and Jackson.
More: Ben Higgins Basically Tells Haters to Back Off in the Most Polite Way Possible
It’s unlikely that anything but a proper, legal statement will be released by BIP, ABC, and/or Warner Bros., but it is concerning that two notorious cast members and villains would be involved so early into shooting. Here’s to hoping something is smoothed over for a fun season of nonstop sexual energy on a beach.
“We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico,” Warner Bros. told Us in a statement on Sunday. “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.”