Production has been suspended on Season 4 of Bachelor in Paradise after allegations of misconduct on set. The developing scandal surrounds cast members DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios, two previous contestants within The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise. As the story develops, fans are finally learning more about what may have happened between Corinne and DeMario.
Sources close to the situation claim that Olympios approached Jackson and the two began talking and flirting. From there, the two allegedly moved to the pool and began to engage in sexual acts. Additionally, Entertainment Tonight reported that another source claimed the entire cast was "drinking all day" after arriving in Mexico, before Olympios and Jackson began to interact.
According to People, the show was suspended after producers allegedly filmed Jackson in a sexual situation with an intoxicated Olympios. If under the influence of alcohol, Olympios would have been unable to consent to the act.
An unnamed contestant from the show has spoken to People, claiming that two other cast members witnessed the situation and were upset that producers didn't put a stop to it sooner:
People are pissed, and not just at DeMario. 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.
Another source close to Jackson told TMZ that a hookup between these two contestants was written into the show from the beginning. This source also claimed that Jackson and Olympios are on good terms after the incident, and "everything is fine," despite rumors of bad blood.
Warner Bros. has issued a statement saying it is investigating the allegations:
We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We have suspended production and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action.
Amy Kaufman, a film writer with the LA Times who is currently writing a book on The Bachelor took to the Twitter-sphere to share her insight into the issue. Her source claims that the unnamed source who filed the complaint, later to be revealed as a producer on the show, is also pressing charges against the production company.
Information surrounding the alleged misconduct is still coming to light. Cast, crew, and contestants have been sent home from the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico filming site and production has been halted pending investigation. It is unclear if or when production will resume.
