The mess regarding ‘Bachelor in Paradise‘, the US spin-off of ‘The Bachelor‘ where former contestants have a second punt at love, has taken a darker turn.
Yesterday it was reported that production was immediately halted on the reality show following “allegations of misconduct”.
Multiple sources are now claiming that the “misconduct” was actually a non-consensual encounter between contestant DeMario Jackson and a female contestant PEDESTRIAN.TV has chosen not to name.
“The show absolutely values the primacy of consent, and this instance it appears as though conduct allegedly occurred without the proper consent having been given,” a source told PEOPLE, while another confirmed that one of the storylines of BiP was to be Jackson and the contestant hooking up.
A contestant told PEOPLE that contestants are upset that crew members did not try and stop the incident.
“People are pissed, and not just at DeMario,” the contestant said. “We’re pissed that this whole thing happened. They could have seen that she was drinking too much and that he was taking advantage. They could have stopped this before it got this far. But they decided to let it go, and let it happen, and see what happened? So, I’m angry at the show, and everyone else is too.”
Sources close to the female contestant at the centre of the incident told TMZ that she was in “a blackout state” when the encounter occurred, and “blames producers for not pulling the plug and protecting her.”
From TMZ:
“We’re told the day after the swimming pool incident she claims fellow cast members began telling her stories of what went down with DeMario. She says several cast members told her they had voiced concern to people on the production crew that she was in no position to consent to sexual activity [due to being heavily intoxicated], but the crew did not heed their warnings.
“Production sources insist other cast members did not complain to anyone that [the contestant] was too drunk to form an intent to have sexual contact with DeMario.
“[She] has told her friends she has a boyfriend and wouldn’t have done what she did — especially with cameras rolling — to jeopardise that relationship.”
Warner Bros. has not commented on specific allegations.
Photo: Bachelor in Paradise / ABC.
If you or someone you know has experienced a non-consensual sexual encounter, you can call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7, confidential support and counselling.
