Nearly a week after filming for "Bachelor in Paradise" was suspended due to "allegations of misconduct," both cast members involved have issued statements defending their side of the story.
Corinne Olympios, 24, who was also on Nick Viall's season of "The Bachelor," said she was a "victim" in the scenario involving contestant DeMario Jackson, who was on the current season of "The Bachelorette." Jackson, 30, released his own statement, saying his character "has been assassinated."
Meanwhile, production for the season was suspended indefinitely and the future of the show remains unclear.
Here's the timeline of events in the popular reality show fallout:
June 4: The pool incident
Olympios and Jackson joined 14 other "Bachelor" alums in an attempt to find love. TMZ reported that producers when up to Olympios and Jackson and encouraged a relationship between them.
That night, Olympios and Jackson got "hot and heavy" in the pool while the cameras were rolling. It's unclear what exactly happened, but reports alleged Jackson began touching Olympios inappropriately while she was very inebriated.
The next day, a "third party," reportedly a field producer, watched the footage of the pool scene and felt uncomfortable, according to reports. She filed a formal complaint.
June 6: Cast of "Bachelor in Paradise" revealed
ABC revealed the full cast of the upcoming season and announced the show would return on Aug. 8. There was no indiction to the public production would be suspended.
June 11: "Bachelor in Paradise" is suspended
Warner Bros. executives told Fox News ABC suspended the show's production over "allegations of misconduct" and a thorough investigation was being conducted.
"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."
June 12: Allegations of sex assault revealed
A company spokesman confirmed on Monday the cast was sent home from Mexico.
Reports of alleged sex assault involving Jackson and Olympios began to surface. At this point, both contestants have not formally released a statement.
Contestants, past and present, expressed their disappointment about the cancellation.
Leah Block, who appeared on Ben Higgins' season of "The Bachelor," seemed to applaud the suspension, detailing her negative experience on "garbage" show.
"Paradise contestants.. at least you still have Winter Games! Also- good thing 90% of live in LA so you can continue your relationships," Block tweeted. "Just to know everyone how trashy that show is & how trashy the producers are to this it's ok to film sexual activity on an ABC SHOW. #garbage."
June 13: Host Chris Harrison addresses allegations
“I know in this day and age we want — and even expect — immediate answers, but in this case, it’s just not possible," Harrison said on ABC's "Good Morning America."
"So again, I urge you to please be patient and respect the privacy of the parties involved," he added.
He apologized to the viewers for the "inconvenience and dissappointment" the suspension caused and urged people to be patient during the meantime.
June 14: Olympios and Jackson release first statements
"I am a victim and have spent the last week trying to make sense of what happened on June 4," Olympios said. "Although I have little memory of that night, something bad obviously took place, which I understand is why production on the show has now been suspended and a producer on the show has filed a complaint against the production."
"As a woman, this is my worst nightmare and it has now become my reality. As I pursue the details and facts surrounding that night and the immediate days after, I have retained a group of professionals to ensure that what happened on June 4 comes to light and I can continue my life, including hiring an attorney to obtain justice and seeking therapy to begin dealing with the physical and emotional trauma stemming from that evening," she added.
Hours after Olympios announced she was hiring famed lawyer Marty Singer and a top publicist to handle her case, Jackson released his statement on the situation, claiming his character "has been assassinated."
"It's unfortunate that my character and family name has been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations," Jackson's publicist 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."
Sources told E! News that Olympios and Jackson have not seen the footage of the pool scene.
June 15: Olympios spotted out in Los Angeles; Jackson claims job loss
Olympios was spotted out walking her dog in her L.A. neighborhood, a day after releasing a statement on the incident, People Magazine reported.
Jackson, who has been at a relative's home in sourthern California since news broke, told Inside Edition he has been fired from his job as a executive recruiter.
"I don't blame anyone right now, all I want the tapes," Jackson told Insiden Edition.
Olympios and Jackson have hired lawyers to represent them.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Am I reading this correctly? ABC set up a scene and cameras, encouraged hot and heavy behavior in the pool and then says the Bachelor shouldn't have touched her b/c she was drunk? Did she drink voluntarily and consent to the scene?
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
She stuck her drunk privates in his drunk face. Who cares? Geez. That's not a sexual assault. That is 2 drunken idiots getting it on which is what this show wants.
Or did she pass out (alcohol and hot tubs have that result) and he felt like that was a great way to get what he wanted. None of us have seen what the production staff have seen, so we can't take sides.
Either everybody involved in this scenario is a total idiot or this is a publicity stunt for more ratings. If they have it on film then they need to share it with the people involved and their lawyers.
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“Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.” ― Julia Child ―
But what is expected when even the commercials are basically soft porn?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
And if they plied them BOTH with alcohol so they were in drunken stupors - why is it she isn't responsible but he is?
I agree. Wouldn't he be a victim as well?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I don't understand why the producers, etc., didn't stop it before it got too far.
Just what is "too far" for a show like this? Seems like the public just wants more and more of whatever it is: gore, sex, assault, you name it. And shows do not seem to be subject to much censorship (First Amendment Freedom of Speech) or even cautionary warnings....
I don't understand why the producers, etc., didn't stop it before it got too far.
Just what is "too far" for a show like this? Seems like the public just wants more and more of whatever it is: gore, sex, assault, you name it. And shows do not seem to be subject to much censorship (First Amendment Freedom of Speech) or even cautionary warnings....
I think they set up the cameras and left.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
I don't understand why the producers, etc., didn't stop it before it got too far.
Just what is "too far" for a show like this? Seems like the public just wants more and more of whatever it is: gore, sex, assault, you name it. And shows do not seem to be subject to much censorship (First Amendment Freedom of Speech) or even cautionary warnings....
I think they set up the cameras and left.
Exactly. Set up. The network will go down on that!
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Did anyone force the alcohol down her throat? Did anyone force her into the hot tub? Did anyone do anything against her that she was struggling against? These are all important questions that teh camera footage can likely answer.
And I hate the BS hypocrisy of "they were both drunk but it's HIS fault if anything sexual happens" sexual assault claims. Woah-there. Slow your roll. If she's innocent "because: alcohol" then so is he.
There's an article that says she forced herself on other cast members and got pissed when the production people tried to cut the alcohol off. I'm out but will try to post it in a bit.
Personally, I think the Bachelor and Bachelorette shows need to just stop producing any shows at all. It's time to move on from the soft porn and stupidity these shows reveal. For me, shows like this show the worst of our society in action. It's not entertainment.
Bachelor in Paradise" production company Warner Bros. says there was no misconduct on the set of the ABC reality series, and the show will resume filming.
"Our internal investigation, conducted with the assistance of an outside law firm, has now been completed," Warner Bros. told Fox News in a statement. "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."
Warner Bros. had suspended filming of the ABC series due to "allegations of misconduct" early June between two cast members after a third party reportedly filed a complaint stating Corinne Olympios was too drunk to consent to DeMario Jackson's advances while the show was filming.
Olympios, 24, who was also on Nick Viall's season of "The Bachelor," said she was a "victim" in the scenario involving Jackson, who was on the current season of "The Bachelorette." Jackson, 30, released his own statement, saying his character "has been assassinated."
Warner Bros. will not release videotape of the incident out of "respect for the privacy interests of those involved."
The studio also confirmed the current season of "Bachelor in Paradise" will resume with changes to the show's policies in order to "enhance and further ensure the safety and security of all participants."
Warner Bros. had no comment on whether DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios will return when filming resumes.
"Bachelor in Paradise" host Chris Harrison thanked fans for their patience after the network's announcement.
ABC told Fox News the series will air this summer. The network did not specify a premiere date.Reps for Jackson, Olympios did not immediately return Fox News' request for comment.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Yep, got everyone buzzing about it. I'm sure the ratings have been dropping over the years. One can only watch so much soft porn before losing interest. It's a ridiculous show. They got what they wanted . . . people are talking. I'm sure ratings will go up for the next couple of weeks. *sigh*
Why can't these networks come up with worthwhile shows like they did a few years ago. When I watch TV, I want to be "taken away" or made to laugh at a good comedy. Not have this crap shoved in my face.