Colton Underwood says The Bachelor was ‘self conversion therapy’

Words: Alastair James; pictures: Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Former The Bachelor star Colton Underwood has described his time on the US reality show as “self ‘conversion’ therapy”.

Colton, 30, who came out as gay last April and has since become engaged, was speaking on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on 8 March.

He also says of his life before coming out, “Instagram was my way to look without being caught.”

“I just love being gay now!”

Discussing reality TV stars, Colton reveals he saw one male star on Instagram “once or twice” when he was closeted. 

Asked about his journey with his faith, which was explored in the Netflix documentary series Coming Out Colton, which followed Colton as he came out to his family and friends and then publicly, Colton tells Cohen, “It’s a work in progress”. 

“All of the cover-ups and praying, and trying self-‘conversion’ therapy on myself by becoming The Bachelor, so I’ve pretty much tried everything to be straight, and it didn’t work and I would rather… I just love being gay now!” he continues.

Colton also shares his thoughts on how The Bachelor could improve, which he says comes down to “listening to its former leads and listening to its contestants and also providing help for them when they need it after the show because they really come in and change your life and then throw you to wolves.”

At the beginning of the month Colton and his now fiance, Jordan C. Brown, a political strategist, announced they were engaged after starting to date last summer. 

Colton told People magazine: “I’m extremely happy! 2021 was the most transformative year of my life. Starting 2022 off with my best friend, teammate and now fiancé is something I never thought was going to be possible.”