As soon as news surfaced that production was suspended on Bachelor In Paradise, the rumors began swirling and they haven't stopped since. Jokes and blame spread just as quickly, and there's a trend in some of the more upsetting responses to the scandal. Some Twitter users are slut-shaming and blaming Corinne Olympios in light of the production shutdown. That reaction to this situation is completely unacceptable, especially when you consider the gravity of the allegations at hand.
Update: In a video posted by TMZ, DeMario Jackson says "no comment" in response to numerous questions about the alleged incident. Asked if he's upset about reports alleging that Olympios claims she did not give consent, Jackson responded, "No, no. I'm all good."
Update #2: 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 #3: 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 #4: 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 #5: 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: While it's currently unclear exactly what happened, and nothing has been confirmed by ABC or Warner Bros. (the studio that produces the series), sources close to Olympios claimed to TMZ that Olympios allegedly did not consent to sexual relations with DeMario Jackson, which reported occurred during filming. Meanwhile, sources close to Jackson told TMZ that he reportedly did hook up with Olympios, but the sources implied that she allegedly was consenting and claim that she "put her genitals in his face." (Jackson and Olympios have not responded to Bustle's request for comment, nor have they commented on the situation publicly.)
Warner Bros. has not confirmed any facts or details about the production shutdown or the reasons behind it, other than the fact that they're investigating misconduct and the show has stopped filming. Their full statement to Bustle reads:
"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."
Additionally, there are conflicting reports and claims going around, which means it's even more vital to avoid jumping to conclusions. But what's equally as important is to avoid placing blame on Olympios at this time. If the allegations that Olympios was blackout drunk during a sexual encounter are true, that would make her a victim. And either way, she deserves to be treated with respect and sensitivity.
Just type her name into Twitter, and you'll see responses like the ones below, implying that her actions on Nick Viall's season — i.e. her openness discussing sex and her interest in pursuing a physical relationship — make the alleged BiP incident her fault. Olympios was subject to public slut-shaming during her time on Bachelor, and now it's happening again.
Olympios embraced her sexuality during her time on Season 21 of The Bachelor, but that doesn't mean she automatically consents to all physical encounters. To be clear: Loving sex and speaking openly about being skilled at it doesn't make someone immune to becoming a victim of sexual assault. Olympios being vocal on the show about her "platinum vagine" does not take away her right to agency over her body.
But it gets worse. Suggesting that her sexual behavior excuses her from potential sympathy isn't all that Olympios has to weather at this time. Some fans blame Olympios for ending the popular series (the future of which is still unclear). Suggesting that she ruined BiP is not only unfair and entirely missing the point of the allegations in the first place, it's just cruel.
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, which makes the topic of sexual assault an extremely widespread and important one. It's also important to remember that when someone is severely under the influence of alcohol, they may not have the capacity to consent. And don't even think about suggesting that it's someone's fault for drinking in the first place. Someone's consumption of alcohol is not a valid reason for that person to lose the rights to his or her own body.
It's worth repeating that it's unclear what exactly happened between Olympios and Jackson. But the point is that slut-shaming and blaming Olympios is wrong, full stop. She doesn't "deserve" this violation, if the allegations are in fact true. Yes, she was a Bachelor "villain" and she continues to be in the spotlight. But while that may make her someone who loves the limelight, that doesn't make her an "attention wh*re" — or any kind of "wh*re," period.
