PHOTOS‘Bachelorette’ Contestant Will Gaskins Says Race Played a Factor In ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Scandal
William Gaskins has spoken out about how he believes race played a factor in the handling of the recent Bachelor In Paradise controversy. The Bachelorette contestant -- who is currently still competing for a shot at Rachel Lindsay's heart, starred alongside DeMario Jackson, who was at the center of the recent BIP scandal -- took to his Instagram to air out his thoughts on the conversations that ensued once the identities of the parties involved in the alleged BIP misconduct incident were released.
Before Warner Bros. announced on Tuesday that their investigation of a possible sexual assault incident on the set of BIP had concluded, as no evidence was found to corroborate the claims, the question of consent was the most talked about factor amidst the claims of misconduct. As OK! readers’ know, ABC suspended production on BIP season 4, after a show producer claimed Corinne Olympios, a white contestant, was not capable of consenting to oral sex, which she reportedly engaged in with DeMario, a black contestant, while filming, due to her level of intoxication.
“I have largely tried to stay out of the drama; both during my time in the house as well as after my time on the show came to a close but this issue has been one that I have been following closely. I'm glad that from abc's perspective this matter is closed and that is certainly a step In the right direction. But that is not the end of this story,” read Will's Instagram caption.
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“A lot of conversation has gone back and forth and accusations have flown regarding consent and the ability to give it, primarily from one direction. However one thing which has been largely absent from these headlines is the fact that by all accounts of those present both parties were willing participants in whatever it is that happened that day,” he wrote. “And in fact there were multiple other people with whom one party engaged in some type of physical contact with that day but it wasn't until The black man got into the mix that this was deemed as no longer acceptable.”
“We can lie to ourselves and say that race isn't a factor here and pretend that it doesn't affect our day to day lives but it's just that, a lie,” he explained. “It has hurt me these past few weeks seeing someone who I consider a friend get dragged left and right. None of you got to know or see Demario the way that those of us in the house did; if you had you would know that he is one of the most straight forward and caring ppl you could ever care to know.”
Will went on to add, “I hope that in the coming days, hours and months that he will continue to be vindicated of any wrongdoing and his name will no longer be associated with such a despicable act.”
What did you think of Will’s Insta post? Sound off in the comments!
