DeMario Jackson said race absolutely played a part in the scandal that hit during the filming of “Bachelor in Paradise” this summer.
“I think people wanted it to be something different,” the 3o-year-old “Bachelor” cast member told the Hollywood Reporter in an article published Thursday. The piece focused on his encounter with cast member Corinne Olympios that shut down production and lead to an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. (RELATED: ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Star Admits To Mixing Pills And Alcohol Before Poolside Hookup)
BACHELOR IN PARADISE – “Episode 203B – The next dramatic rose ceremony continues, on “Bachelor in Paradise,” airing MONDAY, AUGUST 17 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by Rick Rowell/ABC via Getty Images)
“They wanted the angry black guy and this little, innocent white girl,” he added. “But it wasn’t that. I’m relieved. My story has never changed. I’’ve never cracked. I’ve never been angry or upset. I just told my truth.”
“Unfortunately, we live in a society where the whole world is going to side with the woman,” he continued. “Even when the story doesn’t make sense. It was 100 percent consensual. She hopped in my arms, she pulled me into the pool. You’ve seen that with your own eyes.”
Jackson said if he had been white or Olympios had been black, it wouldn’t have been a story.
“If I would have been Alex [Woytkiw] or Derek [Peth two white contestants], we wouldn’t even be having this conversation, I would probably be engaged to Alexis [Waters] right now,” Jackson explained. “If anyone argues, tell them to Google ‘Charlottesville.’ That’s the world we live in.”
“Look who our president is,” he added. “Just tell them to look up what [President Donald] Trump said. It’s always the white guy who says race didn’t play a factor. Trust me, there were four black people on that entire island, three castmates and one producer. Luckily that producer followed me over [to the pool with Corinne] because I gave him the look.”
“This wouldn’t have been a story,” he continued. “We wouldn’t even be having this discussion at all. I had black America who hated me because I’m a sellout with a white girl. And I had white America calling me the N–word and telling me to ‘go back to Africa.’ And they were slut-shaming Corinne, which sucked.”
An investigation determined that there had been no misconduct, and production on the fourth season resumed, with new consent guidelines. Both Jackson and Olympios declined to return to the show, but are rumored to be coming back for the reunion.