Earlier this week reality TV fans were hit with devastating news that this season’s Bachelor in Paradise had suspended filming due to alleged misconduct involving Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson. Jackson was quick to speak out about the incident, giving some pretty detailed facts that not only provided us with insight on the behind-the-scenes directing that shows how scripted the entire franchise might be, but gave us the nitty-gritty on his hookup with Olympios – that she might not have wanted millions of fans knowing.
Throughout this week of speculation, conflicting stories, and general confusion, Olympios has stayed uncharacteristically quiet throughout the whole ordeal. The Bachelor-alum spoke out today, confirming what many were afraid was true. During the filming of the fourth season of BiP, Olympios drank too much and was subsequently unable to consent to any sexual acts between herself and Jackson. What makes matters worse is that throughout the events of the night, filming continued, and no one intervened to help the 24-year-old reality star.
According to Olympios, she was in a “blackout state” during her sexual encounter with DeMario, and does not remember any of the events that transpired. According to TMZ, several members of the show told Olympios what had happened to her several days after the incident, and said that they had “voiced concern to people on the production crew that she was in no position to consent to sexual activity, but the crew did not heed their warnings.” What makes this all the worse is that DeMario has admitted that he remembers the events of the night, as he recalled them in great detail to the media. However sources close to Corinne say that she does not “fully” blame DeMario due to the fact that he too had been drinking. What “fully” entails is up to your own interpretation.
Olympios released the following statement about the incident:
“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.”
All I hope is that Olympios gets the help, and appropriate legal action that she deserves.
For now, People reports that both parties have separately sought legal council, however more details are not known. An unnamed source reports that Bachelor in Paradise will not finish filming or air this summer, and reports “There are no authorities involved, no law enforcement but the incident was flagged internally and they take these matter seriously, so they’re looking into it. But Bachelor in Paradise will not be resuming — this summer at least.”.