Colton Underwood on The Bachelor: an overview
Colton Underwood appeared on The Bachelor as the lead for season 23 in 2019 and became widely recognized when he came out as gay in an episode and later in a New York Times essay. Before the show, he was a professional football player in the Canadian Football League, and since The Bachelor he has pursued media appearances, public speaking, and advocacy, particularly around LGBTQ+ representation and mental health. This profile clarifies his role, timeline, and publicly documented milestones while distinguishing his lived experience from speculation.
Key details at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Season and role | Lead for The Bachelor season 23 | ABC press and franchise records |
| Air dates (season 23) | Premiere January 2019; finale March 2019 | ABC schedule |
| Public coming out | Identified as gay during the show and elaborated in a 2021 New York Times essay | Colton Underwood public statements and essay |
| Known prior to coming out | Reportedly discussed orientation with producers during season 23 | Media reports citing insiders |
| Post-show platforms | Podcast, commentary, public speaking, and advocacy | Public appearances and official channels |
Colton Underwood’s entry into The Bachelor
Colton Underwood was selected as the sole star of The Bachelor season 23, which premiered in January 2019 and concluded about two months later in March 2019. As a former Canadian Football League player, he brought a sports background and a relatable everyman persona into the lead role. His season featured a large initial cast and followed the standard franchise format of group dates, one-on-one time, and weekly eliminations. From the outset, viewers and producers were aware of parts of his personal history that would later become central to his public narrative, though the full scope of his story unfolded over the course of the season.
His public coming out on The Bachelor
On-screen acknowledgment and conversations
During season 23, Colton Underwood acknowledged that he was gay, marking one of the earliest prominent examples of a lead explicitly naming his orientation on The Bachelor. In group and one-on-one conversations, he discussed growing up aware of his identity and the pressures around authenticity in the spotlight. These moments were significant within the reality TV landscape at the time, as they brought LGBTQ+ representation into a format that historically focused on heterosexual relationships. The season included emotional discussions where he explored how his orientation informed his values, expectations for a relationship, and boundaries around physical intimacy.
Media coverage and the New York Times essay
After the season aired, coverage of Colton’s story continued, culminating in a 2021 New York Times essay in which he reflected on his journey with identity, fame, and fatherhood. In the essay he wrote about choosing authenticity over secrecy, described the emotional toll of living publicly with a closely held truth, and discussed becoming a parent through surrogacy. The piece framed his experience as part of a broader shift toward openness in media and culture, and it provided a detailed, first-person account that clarified many earlier reports. By narrating his own timeline, he transformed snippets of speculation into a coherent personal history.
Before The Bachelor: early life and football
Before appearing on television, Colton Underwood played college football at Illinois State University and later signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League. His time in professional football shaped his discipline, teamwork habits, and public profile in ways that persisted after he transitioned away from the sport. Though The Bachelor brought him broader recognition, his athletic background remains a notable part of his identity and informs aspects of his public persona, including discussions around masculinity, vulnerability, and personal growth.
Post-show career and public presence
Media, podcasts, and commentary
Following The Bachelor, Colton Underwood expanded his presence through podcasts, red-carpet events, and commentary roles related to the franchise. He has spoken openly about his experiences as a gay man in the spotlight and used his platform to address mental health, body positivity, and representation. His approach typically emphasizes reflection rather than scandal, focusing on how visibility can help normalize diverse identities. While he maintains a connection to the reality TV ecosystem, his public statements often center on personal responsibility and constructive storytelling.
Advocacy and public speaking
Colton has engaged in public speaking and advocacy, particularly around LGBTQ+ inclusion and mental health awareness. He has discussed the importance of honesty in personal and professional settings and highlighted the impact of choosing authenticity over concealment. These themes have resonated with audiences who see him as both a reality TV figure and a representative of broader cultural conversations about identity. His engagements aim to translate personal experience into practical insights for listeners and viewers.
Addressing rumors and clarifying misconceptions
Over the years, narratives surrounding Colton Underwood have sometimes blurred fact and speculation, especially on social platforms that amplify simplified or dramatic interpretations. Some rumors have mischaracterized his motivations for being on The Bachelor or his relationships within the show, and others have exaggerated the speed or scale of his post-show career. By returning to his own written and filmed statements, it is possible to separate verified details from conjecture and to present a consistent account of his journey. This clarification benefits both long-time followers and newer audiences seeking an evidence-based understanding.
Colton Underwood on The Bachelor: summarized timeline
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 casting | Selected as The Bachelor season 23 lead | Set the stage for his coming-out narrative on national TV |
| January–March 2019 | Season 23 aired | Introduced him to a mass audience and framed early public perception |
| During season | Publicly identified as gay in conversations on the show | Marked an important moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in the franchise |
| 2021 | New York Times essay published | Provided his detailed, first-account of identity, fatherhood, and media scrutiny |
| Post-2021 | Podcast, commentary, speaking, and advocacy | Demonstrated a sustained public presence centered on reflection and advocacy |
Comparison with other leads
Compared with some prior leads, Colton Underwood’s tenure is distinguished by his explicit acknowledgment of being gay during the season and his subsequent focus on advocacy in his post-show work. Other leads have since shared personal milestones and diverse stories, but his narrative stands out for its emphasis on authenticity, mental health, and intentional use of public platform. The following concise comparison highlights structural and thematic differences without ranking individual experiences:
- Visibility of identity: Openly gay during season vs. less publicly defined personal narratives among some earlier leads
- Post-show focus: Advocacy and commentary vs. primarily entertainment or business ventures for some others
- Media framing: Emphasis on reflection and mental health vs. more romance-centric coverage for certain seasons
Frequently asked questions
- Why did Colton Underwood become The Bachelor lead? He was chosen by the franchise as the lead for season 23, bringing a combination of athletic background, relatability, and personal background that producers believed would resonate with audiences.
- How did he come out on the show? He discussed being gay in on-camera conversations, which was integrated into the season’s storylines rather than treated as a hidden subplot.
- What has he done since The Bachelor? He has participated in podcasts, franchise commentary, public speaking, and advocacy, with a consistent focus on authenticity and representation.
- Is he still involved with The franchise? He has appeared in commentary and promotional capacities, contributing to retrospectives and discussion around the show’s evolving representation.
- How does he address mental health? In interviews and speeches, he has linked personal vulnerability to mental well-being and emphasized seeking support and honest communication.
Bottom line
Colton Underwood’s time on TheBachelor, particularly his decision to live openly as a gay man during season 23 and his reflective public presence since, represents a notable chapter in the show’s history. By centering verified statements, his own written reflections, and documented appearances, it is possible to understand his role, the cultural context, and the lasting impact of his story without relying on rumors or unchecked claims.