Billy Eichner made a joke about Colton Underwood being the first gay Bachelor before Colton came out of the closet.
On Watch What Happens Live, the comedian told Andy Cohen that The Traitors US season 4 contestant handled the joke better than many others would have.
For context, Billy was a guest host for a group date during Colton’s season 23 of The Bachelor in 2019, where he joked about the lead being “the first gay Bachelor.” The comment resurfaced online when Underwood opened up about his sexuality in 2021.
The aftermath of Billy’s joke:
“I went on The Bachelor before we knew he was gay,” began Billy. “As a joke, I said, because we knew he was a virgin, I said, ‘You might be the first gay Bachelor, and we don’t even know it.’ And then when he came out a few years later, [the clip] went very viral. But I was just joking around.”
Billy continued, “I actually DMed him and I said, ‘Hey, I’m sorry I put you on the spot like that. I had no idea you were gay. If I thought you were, I wouldn’t have asked you about that on national television.’ He was super cool with it.”
The Billy On The Street host shared that he and Colton have “spoken a lot” since then, noting that the pair run into each other “once in a while.”
“We see each other sometimes,” Eichner said. “He’s lovely and nice to see.”
ICYMI:
This isn’t the first time that commentary around Colton’s sexuality has come up as of late. During season 4 of The Traitors US, Michael Rapaport made a comment about Colton “holding a secret” for 29 years.
During the roundtable of the episode called If You’re Gonna Come for Me, I’ll Finish You, Michael Rapaport growled, “Nobody in this room would be better at holding a secret than yooooouuuuuu,” as he pointed his finger aggressively at Colton.
Michael later apologized to Colton. “I meant what I meant within the context of the game. It had nothing to do with his sexuality. I really, sincerely apologize if I offended Colton or anybody in the house. That absolutely wasn’t the intention.”
