Colton Underwood has spent years trying to change public perception, but on a recent episode of Sony Music Entertainment dinners on me The former NFL player and reality TV alum’s podcast sounds down-to-earth, thoughtful, and unexpectedly funny. Underwood stripped off her top while having breakfast with host Jesse Tyler Ferguson at The Butcher’s Daughter in West Hollywood. traitorshis past bachelorand the complicated path to living openly.
PLAY THE GAME AND PLAY OUT LOUD
with underwood traitors I have a mindset that emphasizes visibility over subtlety. Strategy aside, it was a test of patience. Long filming nights extended well past midnight, especially for the contestants assigned as traitors. Underwood noted that while the struggle is part of the job, the mental workload adds another dimension to the competition.
Some castmates were more intimidating than others. Lisa Rinna immediately stood out. Underwood admitted that he was immediately nervous when he met her on his first day, and joked that a conflict with The Real Housewives was not at all on his vision board after coming out.
Donna Kelce, the Swifties, and a very real fear
One of the most anxiety-inducing moments of the season involved Donna Kelce. Underwood recalled that her husband, Jordan, warned her to avoid targeting her at all costs. The reason is simple. Swifties. With family at home, just the thought of inadvertently sparking an internet rant was enough to cause real stress. Still, the mechanics of the game forced his hand, and Underwood acknowledged the risk with humor and disbelief.
Reality TV without a camera in your head
unlike his time bachelorsaid Underwood. traitors It provided us with something rare: access to a psychologist without interfering with production. He used his downtime to work out, mentally reset, and maintain balance. That freedom, he explained, made a marked difference compared to his previous real-life experiences, where vulnerability often felt transactional.
He also laughed about one of the unexpected perks of his podcast with Ferguson: actually being allowed to eat. meanwhile bachelor’s degree Ferguson was visibly shocked by the date, the fact that the food was purely decorative.
Looking back at the more difficult chapters
The conversation shifted when Underwood spoke about the time frame leading up to her coming out in 2021. Underwood said she feels trapped by expectations, the public eye and her own internal struggles. The coronavirus became a breaking point, forcing him to face a life he no longer considered sustainable.
This calculation changed his perspective on today’s visibility, especially in sports. Underwood remains dissatisfied with how professional leagues treat gay athletes, pointing to an organizational hesitation to prioritize optics over true support.
regret and growth
Underwood’s only regret was not playing football openly. He believes the freedom of honesty would have changed his appearance on the field. Still, moments like the unexpected positive response from a college coach remind him that progress can come from unexpected sources.
As the episode draws to a close, Underwood speaks less like a former reality star and more like someone who has finally gotten comfortable off script, reflective, self-aware, and clear-eyed about areas that still need growing.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
