The situation surrounding Bachelor In Paradise seems to be getting worse by the minute and could put the entire franchise in jeopardy before it’s all put to rest. Production on the latest season of the reality show was suspended after complaints by two producers on the show regarding “allegations of misconduct” between Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson. The incident in question is still up in the air, but a statement by Olympios alleges that she is the victim of sexual assault and does not remember anything about the night of the alleged incident.
Olympios has retained legal representation from Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer and her statement follows efforts from the show to handle the situation, including a statement from host Chris Harrison that noted that the investigation was in Warner Bros. hands. It’s a situation that seems to be snowballing and now we can add Jackson refuting Olympios’ claims in an exclusive statement to E! News:
“It’s unfortunate that my character and family name has been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations,” the 30-year-old said in a statement via his publicist, Eve Sarkisyan-Nunn. “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.”
While the future of Bachelor In Paradise is likely sealed at this point, the gravity of the allegations could certainly put the entire franchise at risk with ABC. While there have always been questions about the practices on the show, with plenty of former contestants defending it and the actions of producers, this type of situation and the rumors that are following it are beyond the norm.
Bachelor In Paradise was set to premiere on August 8th.
(Via E News and Rolling Stone)