Another day, another Bachelor in Paradise update. But this time around, the news is coming directly from a major person involved in the allegations that shut down the filming of the reality series — DeMario Jackson. TMZ asked Jackson about the Bachelor in Paradise allegations against him on June 13 and filmed the exchange. Although he didn't say much more than, "No comment," the former Bachelor contestant did note that he is not upset with the other party of the alleged event.
Update: On Wednesday, June 14, Corinne Olympios' rep released a statement about the Bachelor In Paradise allegations to Bustle:
“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. 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.”
Update #2: On the evening of Wednesday, June 14, Jackson released a statement about Olympios' allegations to E! News:
"It's unfortunate that my character and family name has been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations. I will be taking swift and appropriate legal action until my name is cleared and, per the advice of legal counsel, will be seeking all available remedies entitled to me under the laws."
Update #3: On June 20, an ABC spokesperson provided the following statement to Bustle:
“We appreciate the swift and complete investigation by Warner Bros. into allegations of misconduct on the set of ‘Bachelor in Paradise.’ Given their results, the series will resume production, and will air this summer on ABC.”
Warner Bros.' statement to Bustle read,
"As we previously stated, we recently became aware of allegations regarding an incident on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We take all such allegations seriously. The safety, security and well-being of the cast and crew is our number one concern, and we suspended filming so that the allegations could be investigated immediately and thoroughly. Our internal investigation, conducted with the assistance of an outside law firm, has now been completed. Out of respect for the privacy interests of those involved, we do not intend to release the videotape of the incident. We can say, however, that the tape does not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member. Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy. Production on this season of Bachelor in Paradise will be resuming, and we plan to implement certain changes to the show’s policies and procedures to enhance and further ensure the safety and security of all participants.”
Update #4: On Tuesday, Corinne Olympios' lawyer Martin Singer released a statement to Bustle that read,
“It needs to be made crystal clear that production of 'Bachelor in Paradise' was shut down because of multiple complaints received from 'BIP' producers and crew members on the set. It was not shut down due to any complaint filed by Corinne against anyone. It comes as no surprise that Warner Bros., as a result of its own internal Investigation, would state that no wrong doing had occurred. Our own investigation will continue based on multiple new witnesses coming forward revealing what they saw and heard.”
Earlier: Warner Bros. announced on June 11 that, due to "allegations of misconduct," the company was suspending production on Bachelor in Paradise. Several news sources, including TMZ and PEOPLE, then reported that these allegations involved a seemingly non-consensual sexual encounter between Jackson and a female contestant in the Bachelor in Paradise pool. Sources allegedly close to Jackson told TMZ that he has continued to say the rumored sexual encounter was consensual and that he's reportedly asking for the video footage of it to be released since it will prove his innocence. (The New York Post obtained alleged text messages from Jackson that seem to corroborate this, but Jackson has made no comment on the veracity of them.)
TMZ had previously reported that alleged sources close to the female contestant said that she is allegedly claiming that she was too intoxicated and doesn't remember the reported encounter. And that, while she doesn't completely blame Jackson, she is allegedly upset with producers for not stopping the incident. Bustle has reached out to both contestants for comment, but has yet to receive a response. Warner Bros. declined to comment on the new allegations, but, at the time of the original production shutdown, gave the following statement:
"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.”
TMZ found Jackson in West Hollywood and asked him about his relationship with the other contestant. When asked, "Are you upset that she's saying that she didn't give you consent?," Jackson replied, "No, no. I'm all good." When TMZ pressed again, asking, "Are you upset with [her] at all?," he seemed to indicate that he wasn't. Jackson also said that he's not afraid of how these allegations are impacting his reputation in the media.
With so much information unknown and unconfirmed at this point, the focus shouldn't really be about whether or not Jackson is upset. Instead, the focus should be more about discovering what really happened with sensitivity. Still, while TMZ's interview with him doesn't provide much more insight, it did show that Jackson's not going to be contributing to the rumors that are flying around right now.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated from its original version.
