Colton Underwood: The Real Reason Everyone Thinks I’m A Villain

Colton Underwood became one of the most talked-about figures in reality TV after going from the NFL to The Bachelor, before publicly coming out as gay in one of the most scrutinised moments of his life. In this rare conversation, Colton reflects on growing up in football, faith and the Midwest, while privately knowing he was gay and trying desperately to hide it. He speaks about praying to be straight, building a fake public life, and the pressure of becoming “the virgin Bachelor” while living behind what he describes as a spiderweb of lies. Colton opens up about the rules, secrecy and fear that shaped his relationships, the NFL locker room culture that kept him in the closet, and the blackmail that pushed him toward finally coming out. He also reflects on his time on the US Traitors, the backlash that followed, and why he believes some viewers still misunderstand who he is now. Now a husband and father, Colton speaks about accountability, healing, and what it means to stop performing after years of hiding who he really was. Colton Underwood, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. Please take care while watching. We’ve included links to support resources below: Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2kE85 MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Colton here: https://www.instagram.com/coltonunderwood/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@coltonunderwood 00:00 Intro 01:51 Early Life and Upbringing 07:14 Growing Up Gay in the Midwest 09:07 How Colton’s Parents' Divorce Affected Him 12:13 Navigating His Sexuality As A Teenager 24:28 Being Drafted into the NFL 29:21 Navigating Homophobia in American Football 37:03 Saily Ad 38:11 How Colton Got on The Bachelor 42:35 Why Colton Became Known as the Virgin Bachelor 45:46 How Colton Hid His Sexuality on The Bachelor 48:14 The Fence Jump That Changed The Bachelor 56:15 Backlash from The Traitors 01:02:39 ID Mobile Ad 01:04:29 Colton Opens Up About Xanax & Alcohol Abuse 01:06:56 Being Blackmailed And Coming Out 01:15:51 Paul Surprised Colton 01:17:22 How Colton Met His Husband Jordan 01:19:36 Going Through Surrogacy in the USA 01:24:29 Paul Surprises Colton With A Letter 01:25:44 Writing His New Book, Dear Bishop 01:31:56 Would Colton Do Another Reality TV Show? 01:33:14 Most Memorable Conversation 01:36:46 Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ — your voice is more powerful than you think. https://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand