ABC’s Bachelor In Paradise was forced to shut down production last week, due to alleged sexual misconduct on the set, and accusations of negligence against crew members who may have failed to stop a sexual encounter between two cast members, despite at least one of them being too drunk to consent. Earlier today, cast member Corinne Olympios issued a statement about the incident, stating “I am a victim,” and noting that she had hired a legal and therapeutic team to help her parse exactly what happened on the night of June 4. Now, the other active participant in the event has come forward, with DeMario Jackson issuing a statement of his own.
“It’s unfortunate that my character and family name has been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations,” Jackson told E! News. “I will be taking swift and appropriate legal action until my name is cleared and, per the advice of legal counsel, will be seeking all available remedies entitled to me under the laws.”
ABC is reportedly conducting an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the swimming pool of the show’s Mexico shooting location. The incident first came to light after a producer on the show questioned whether Olympios was too intoxicated to give consent during the encounter; meanwhile, the accusations against the show and its crew have ignited a number of new conversations about the role of alcohol in shows like this, how heavy a hand reality show producers have in producing “storylines,” and how active they are in attending to their responsibilities to keep participants safe.