Colton Underwood Reveals Where He Stands With Michael Rapaport

Colton Underwood is willing to maneuver forward with Michael Rapaport after a deeply personal feud with the actor through the recent season of “The Traitors.” The newest episode of the thrilling competition series generated a powerful response from viewers who slammed Rapaport for making a “homophobic” statement through the show’s intense roundtable segment. During a recent interview, nevertheless, Underwood implied that he was willing to bury the hatchet with Rapaport once and for all.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Underwood opened up about how difficult the coming-out process may be for LGBTQ+ individuals. “I’m still working on process it, and I feel you actually see that come up and hit me,” he said. “The explanation I said yes to doing a show like The Traitors is it isn’t personal.”

For many who might’ve missed it, Rapaport stunned his “Traitors” co-stars when he looked as if it would take a private dig at Underwood at the top of episode 5, saying “no person on this room could be higher at holding a secret than you.” Many interpreted Rapaport’s comments as a reference to the fact star’s decision to publicly come out as gay in April 2021.

“The drama and the intensity of the show is at all times so game-focused, so I feel that is what just threw me a bit of bit, is when it got personal and he was using me as a human being as an alternative of my gameplay against me. That is what caught me off guard, and I feel you felt that and saw it within the episode,” Underwood said.

In the course of the episode, lots of Underwood’s co-stars, including Jonny Weir and Candiace Dillard Bassett, rushed to his defense. And while Rapaport insisted his statement had nothing to do together with his sexuality, Underwood actually felt the other.

“I could just let you know how I took it, and I did take it that it was not in a gaming way and it was more of a private dig at my past and what I went through and the way I handled myself,” he said. “I could be the primary person to say I’m definitely not perfect, and I definitely made loads of mistakes. But at this point in my life, it was 5 or 6 years ago after I first began the coming-out process, and I’m in only such a distinct phase of life with my family and professionally.”

Underwood shared that he wasn’t holding a “grudge” against Rapaport, noting that the latter had reached out to apologize for his words. “… but I do think it is crucial for me in my life at this point to begin standing up for myself. I can only be a punching bag for thus long. Even today, seeing some people’s [and] fans of the show’s comments towards me, I can only sit quiet for thus long,” he added.

Rapaport’s comments didn’t sit well with some fans of the show, who immediately rushed to social media to slam the “True Romance” actor over his “homophobic” comments.

“F**k Michael Rapaport,” someone wrote. “He’s been known to be a bigot for a very long time. Colton’s no angel, and has a shady history too, however the sexuality comment was triggering for me. Jogged my memory of those men who’re bullies and may’t stand when gay men call them out.”

One other user accused Rapaport of “dog-whistling the homophobia,” while a 3rd argued that Rapaport should’ve been immediately faraway from the sport for his seemingly insensitive comments.

Meanwhile, other users questioned whether Rapaport meant his statement the way in which some solid members and other viewers were interpreting it.

“Big Brother” alum Tommy Bracco wrote, “If that is all that was said by Michael on this moment, I’m confused why everyone freaked out on him. He’s right.”

One other shared, “Hot take, I do not think this was homophobic in any respect,” while a 3rd posted, “My mind never even went to his sexuality. I believed he meant that Colton was so good at rallying people he’d be great at keeping the key that he’s a traitor.”

Following the episode, Rapaport gave viewers an update on his relationship with Underwood now that production on the series had wrapped.

“I did speak to [Underwood] right after filming. We had an amazing man-to-man conversation, and every little thing was very cool and respectful. I like him and need him and his family the most effective,” he said.