Less than a week after ABC revealed the cast of the upcoming fourth season of Bachelor in Paradise, the spinoff has come to a grinding halt following “allegations of misconduct†during filming. As Warner Bros. explained in a statement on Sunday, “We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We have suspended production and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action.†According to E!, sources claim the show has stopped production “indefinitely,†and some contestants have even begun their journey home.
As for what those “allegations of misconduct†might entail, Reality Steve places contestants Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson at the center of the story, which reportedly involves alcohol and a sexual encounter caught on film. Los Angeles Times film writer Amy Kaufman reports a similar story, though her source claims it was a producer who alleged misconduct on set. “According to my source, this producer went on to sue the production for misconduct over what she witnessed between DeMario and Corinne,†Kaufman tweeted. Meanwhile, a source told People that “a producer allegedly witnessed a drunken sexual encounter between two cast members,†and that it’s “not clear if charges have been brought against the cast member involved.†Bachelor in Paradise season four had been scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, August 8.
Update, June 12, 2017, at 11:23 a.m.: Conflicting reports of the alleged misconduct have been trickling out to various news sources. Sources connected to DeMario Jackson told his version of events to TMZ, alleging that he and Corinne were extremely drunk and got naked in a pool, where she initiated sexual advances. His sources say a producer later came forward claiming to be uncomfortable with what was shot and filed a report of workplace misconduct, causing the production to be suspended pending a thorough investigation. Jackson’s source, however, claims that he and Corinne were getting along after the incident and are on “good terms.â€
However, other reports allege that Corinne was so inebriated that she was unable to give consent. A contestant on the show told People that two other contestants saw the interaction, and were reportedly upset that production didn’t do more to stop the incident. “People are pissed, and not just at DeMario. We’re pissed that this whole thing happened,†the contestant told People. “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.†ABC has not commented on the future of the show.