All About Colton Underwood's Time on The Bachelor and His Coming Out Story
Take a deep dive into The Traitors star's lengthy lore within Bachelor Nation and beyond.
As Colton Underwood settles into Alan Cumming's Scottish castle on Season 4 of The Traitors, he's emerged as a competitor to watch as the steadfast Faithful works to sniff out the treacherous Traitors.
Joining a dynamite lineup of Season 4 celebrities, former NFL star Underwood arrived on The Traitors carrying one of the most talked-about legacies in Bachelor Nation. Underwood boasts a lively reality TV background defined by franchise firsts and a personal journey that unfolded in the spotlight. Underwood's move from roses to the round table marks a new chapter for the reality TV star, and he seems determined to see a happily-ever-after for him and the rest of the Faithfuls on Season 4.
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Underwood's move from roses to The Traitors round table marks a new chapter, and he seems determined to see a happily-ever-after for himself and the rest of the Faithfuls on Season 4.
Colton Underwood's time in Bachelor Nation explained
Underwood first made his way to Bachelor Nation in 2018 on Season 14 of The Bachelorette, where he competed for the affections of Becca Kufrin before being eliminated just before the high-stakes hometown dates. His appearance stole the show, leading him to briefly appear in Season 5 of Bachelor in Paradise, where he spent some time with Tia Booth in the sunny getaway. After leaving production early, Underwood was later cast as the lead of The Bachelor Season 23, which aired in spring 2019.
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Underwood's season of The Bachelor was a must-watch thanks to Underwood's steadfast pursuit of the perfect partner, which culminated in a viral "fence" scene wherein Underwood jumped an 8-foot fence to snag some alone time away from production. The season's conclusion notably veered off-path from the franchise's usual format, in part, thanks to this moment.
Instead of placing a ring on his future wife's finger, Underwood ended the season without a proposal, instead choosing to pursue a relationship with a contestant without the pressure of a ring. Underwood certainly shook things up on Season 23 of The Bachelor, leading it to become one of the most talked-about seasons in the show's recent history.
When did Colton Underwood come out?
In April 2021, Underwood publicly came out as gay during an interview on Good Morning America.
"I've ran from myself for a long time. I've hated myself for a long time, and I'm gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it," the reality star said. "The next step in all of this was letting people know. I'm still nervous. It's been a journey, for sure."
Later that year, Underwood shared more details of his journey in the documentary series Coming Out Colton, which follows the Bachelor Nation alum's life after coming out and shows him connecting with his loved ones and the LGBTQ+ community. In the series, Underwood also explores his step away from his Bachelor identity as he navigates a new chapter within his career and personal life.
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The 33-year-old married political strategist Jordan C. Brown in 2023, two years after going public with their relationship.
"I've never been more sure about something," Underwood told People. "[Jordan] has the biggest heart and he's such a good friend to all of the people in his life. He goes out of his way to take care of his friends and his family. That speaks volumes. It was one of the first things that I noticed about him."
The couple pair welcomed a son, Bishop, in September 2024.
Watch Colton Underwood on Season 4 of The Traitors
Underwood's return to reality television may differ sharply from the dating shows that skyrocketed him to fame, and we can't wait to see how he navigates the high-stakes game. Watch new episodes of The Traitors Season 4 on Thursdays at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET, exclusively on Peacock.
Catch a full schedule of episodes, below:
- January 8: Episodes 1, 2, 3
- January 15: Episodes 4, 5
- January 22: Episodes 6
- January 29: Episode 7
- February 5: Episode 8
- February 12: Episode 9
- February 19: Episode 10
- February 26: Finale + Reunion
Catch up on every episode of The Traitors Season 4, and check out The Traitors: Australia and The Traitors: UK, on Peacock.
