Colton Underwood’s journey of self-discovery has been both complex and revealing. During a recent interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Underwood delved into his high school years, his football career, and his time on dating shows, sharing intimate details that were previously undisclosed.
Underwood first realized he was different at the age of six but only fully understood his attraction to men in high school. Growing up in a conservative Catholic environment made it difficult for him to accept his sexuality. “I wasn’t like the other boys in my class,” Underwood explained. “I couldn’t really process it until high school.”
Reflecting on his football career, Underwood described the locker room as both homophobic and homoerotic. He recalled the paradox of locker room culture where homoerotic behavior coexisted with homophobic slurs. “It’s like slapping in the ass, you know, commenting on each other’s dcks, and then being called a fg,” he said. This environment led Underwood to take measures to avoid being outed, such as not showering with his teammates and avoiding social situations where he might accidentally reveal his true self.
Underwood also discussed his time on “The Bachelor” and how he used his virginity as an excuse to avoid questions about his sexuality. He admitted that his first hookup with a man occurred on his 21st birthday, but he was always careful to keep these encounters secret. The fear of being outed haunted him throughout his time on the show.
Ultimately, Underwood decided to participate in the Netflix docuseries “Coming Out Colton” to share his story and help others struggling with their sexuality. He emphasized the need for acceptance within both the church and sports communities, which he views as the last bastions of toxic masculinity that contributed to his prolonged struggle with his identity.