Warner Bro. Announces No Misconduct Took Place, Resumes Production Of 'Bachelor In Paradise'
Update, June 20: Warner Bros. has released a statement announcing that it found no evidence of misconduct and that it will resume production of "Bachelor In Paradise":
As we previously stated, we recently became aware of allegations regarding an incident on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We take all such allegations seriously. The safety, security and well-being of the cast and crew is our number one concern, and we suspended filming so that the allegations could be investigated immediately and thoroughly. Our internal investigation, conducted with the assistance of an outside law firm, has now been completed. Out of respect for the privacy interests of those involved, we do not intend to release the videotape of the incident. We can say, however, that the tape does not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member. Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy. Production on this season of Bachelor in Paradise will be resuming, and we plan to implement certain changes to the show's policies and procedures to enhance and further ensure the safety and security of all participants.
[BuzzFeed]
Previously: On Sunday, Warner Bros. announced that it was shutting down production of season 4 of "Bachelor In Paradise," the ABC spinoff series in which former "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" contestants mingle, carouse and pair off in a tropical locale. The abrupt cancellation was attributed to "allegations of misconduct," the details of which have trickled out in recent days. Here's what's going on, as far as we can tell.
The Incident Involved DeMario Jackson And Corinne Olympios
Jackson was a contestant on season 13 of "The Bachelorette," which is currently airing on ABC. Olympios was a contestant on season 21 of "The Bachelor," which aired earlier this year. On Sunday, a source described the broad contours of the incident to Entertainment Tonight.
"DeMario was in the pool," the source said. "Next thing you know, Corinne comes over and hops on his lap. They start talking and joking."
The source says that things escalated quickly between the two contestants, leading to the pair getting hot and heavy together.
"Everyone is just going about their business. Cameras are rolling. Producers are everywhere," the source said. "That's when a 'third party' felt uncomfortable, claiming misconduct in the workplace. As of right now, production of Paradise is suspended indefinitely. And they are sending everyone home and telling everyone else to stay home. DeMario and Corinne got sent home soon after."
The source also said that producers had encouraged Jackson and Olympios to get together for the sake of the storyline, and that the person who made the misconduct complaint was a producer.
Sources Close To Jackson Say The Encounter Was Consensual
According to TMZ, DeMario has reportedly said that Olympios initiated the hookup, which involved "rubbing, touching and fingering."
He says she put her genitals in his face and he began licking, but we're told this allegation is a big point of contention and others disagree with his account. He says he was not able to engage in intercourse because of the alcohol.
DeMario says the next day everything was fine and he and Corrine were actually getting along well, but on Tuesday they were called in by the Executive Producer and told one of the show producers had seen the film and was "uncomfortable" with what was shot.
[TMZ]
Meanwhile, Sources Close To Olympios Say She Was Too Drunk To Remember What Happened
Olympios reportedly told friends she was too drunk to consent to sexual activity and didn't remember anything about the hookup the next day.
Corinne Olympios claims she was in a blackout state when she got sexual with fellow "Bachelor in Paradise" star DeMario Jackson… and she blames producers for not pulling the plug and protecting her…
We're told the day after the swimming pool incident she claims fellow cast members began telling her stories of what went down with DeMario. She says several cast members told her they had voiced concern to people on the production crew that she was in no position to consent to sexual activity, but the crew did not heed their warnings.
[TMZ]
A Crew Member Who Witnessed The Encounter Said Olympios 'Seemed To Go Limp'
The Daily Mail interviewed a crew member who described Jackson continuing sexual activity with Olympios while she was very clearly incapacitated.
"There was hugging and kissing and touching, but before long, she seemed to go limp and was sliding under water. Demario kept trying to hold her up and at the same time he appeared to be having intercourse with her. After he finished — which only lasted a few seconds — he lifted her out of the water and laid her on the cement, where he proceeded to have oral sex with her.
"She appeared to be unconscious," says the source. "At that point some of the crew came out and carried her off to her room. She was limp and seemed unable to walk on her own."
Other witnesses told TMZ Olympios was "stumbling drunk" even after two hours had passed.
Witnesses at the Mexican resort tell us 2 hours after her sexual encounter with DeMario … she was stumbling drunk, eyes closed, slurring badly and wearing her clothes inside out. As one source put it, "she was on a whole other level."
[TMZ]
Various Members Of The 'Bachelor' Universe Have Blamed Producers For Enabling The Alleged Assault
One cast member on season 4 of "Bachelor In Paradise" told People that he or she and the other contestants were angry at the producers for not stopping the incident.
"People are pissed, and not just at DeMario. We're pissed that this whole thing happened," the contestant says. "They could have seen that she was drinking too much and that he was taking advantage. They could have stopped this before it got this far. But they decided to let it go, and let it happen, and see what happened? So, I'm angry at the show, and everyone else is too."
[People]
Leah Block, who appeared on season 20 of "The Bachelor" and season 3 of "Bachelor In Paradise," tweeted her disapproval of the producers' behavior.
