Colton Underwood's Secret Life Before Coming Out

Former Bachelor star Colton Underwood recently shared intimate details about his life before publicly coming out as gay in 2021. During a podcast appearance, Underwood, 34, discussed his strategy for navigating his sexuality while in the closet.

To protect himself from exposure, Underwood stated he had a strict rule: he would only engage in hookups with married, presumably straight men. He believed these individuals had more to risk, such as their careers and families, thereby acting as a deterrent against them revealing his secret.

Underwood also reflected on his time on The Bachelorette and The Bachelor, particularly the focus on his virginity. He expressed his dislike for the "Virgin Bachelor" label, which he felt put undue pressure on him and risked unwanted scrutiny due to his private relationships with men.

He recounted how his virginity became his primary storyline on the show, an outcome he did not anticipate. Underwood explained that his religious upbringing and his struggle with his sexuality significantly influenced his decision to remain a virgin, viewing milestones like marriage as potential means to become straight.

Underwood, who is now married to Jordan C. Brown-Underwood, previously alluded to experimenting with men before his Bachelorette appearance. He clarified these were not sexual encounters but rather a way to grapple with his identity, driven by guilt and a desire to align with societal expectations.