Anais Gutierrez
In the wake of the ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ scandal that shut down production of the ABC series. The parts involved in the scandal have opened up.
Contestant, Corinne Olympios has hired a top Hollywood lawyer, while contestant DeMario Jackson released a statement. The future of the ‘Bachelor’ spin-off is yet to be decided.
Olympios is taking legal action after an alleged sexual assault
After the ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ scandal that broke news on Sunday, contestant Corinne Olympios stated she’s the victim in the sex scandal and is preparing to present charges. On Wednesday, the reality star released a statement announcing that she’s preparing a lawsuit after getting drunk and getting involved with fellow contestant DeMario Jackson in Mexico. All while cameras were rolling.
All cast members were sent home after a field producer filed a misconduct complaint. Alleging that Corinne may have been too drunk to consent the sex and that the show may not have done enough to prevent sexual assault.
“I am a victim and have spent the last week trying to make sense of what happened on June 4,” Corinne said.
Corinne went on saying that despite having little memory of what happened that night, something bad 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,” she added. The reality star is also seeking help to overcome the psychological damage as she prepares the lawsuit.
She hired top Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer, whose past clients included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bryan Singer, John Travolta and Bill Cosby.
In 2011, the high-profile attorney helped Charlie Sheen sue Warner Bros. TV, the production company behind “Bachelor in Paradise,” for $100 million over the actor’s firing from “Two and a Half Men.”
DeMario has a different story to tell
DeMario Jackson, also a contestant on ‘Bachelor in Paradise’, responded to Corinne’s statement later that day.The contestant released a statement via his publicist, saying that his character had been defamed.
“It’s unfortunate that my character and family name has [sic] been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations,” Jackson said in a statement obtained from his publicist. “I will be taking swift and appropriate legal action until my name is cleared, per the advice of legal counsel, will be seeking all available remedies entitled to me under the laws.”
A representative for Jackson said he had hired Walter Mosley as legal counsel. Neither Olympios nor Jackson specified the misconduct allegations. Franchise host, Chris Harrison, also spoke out on Tuesday, when neither of the involved had spoken out on the issue.
He urged patience while Warners conducts the investigation and said there were much misinformation and rumors swirling in the press.
“Let me start by saying the safety and care of the cast and crew of our show are of the most important to us,” he said in part. “[Warner Bros.] is moving quickly to gather all the facts, and once that’s done a clear concise decision can be made about where we go from here.”
Mike Fleiss, the creator of the franchise, posted a short message on Twitter and teased more to come. “We love you #BachelorNation,” he said
What we know so far
It is unclear if the producer witnessed the incident or saw footage of the encounter, which was captured on tape. Before filing the complaint that set the investigation in motion. Despite circulating reports suggesting otherwise, Olympios appears “lucid” in the footage, say sources.
‘Bachelor in Paradise,’ currently in its fourth season, is a spinoff of ABC’s hit “Bachelor” franchise.
It brings together former contestants from the past ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ seasons to live together in Mexico and “explore new relationships” in a “secluded and dreamy paradise,” according to the network; the end result is a lot of drama and hookups, and occasional proposals.
The series was originally scheduled to premiere on Aug. 8 — no word on whether that is still happening.
Source: UPI
