‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Scandal: DeMario Jackson Breaks Down After First Interview Post-Investigation

DeMario Jackson is ready to speak out on “Bachelor In Paradise” sexual assault allegations, which halted production and rocked the ABC reality star. DeMario’s seen major fallout from the allegations, which Warner Bros. found no evidence to support, and he’s sharing those details and more in an emotional interview.

Speaking with E! Online, the “Bachelorette” Season 13 contestant broke down into tears discussing the effect the situation had on he and his family. He told interviewer Melanie Bromley his mom was the most hurt, spending every day crying for her son. Fortunately his father was there to help him get through it.

DeMario’s name’s been cleared after he was dragged into the possible sexual assault investigation on the “Bachelor In Paradise” set, but he’s not satisfied. The reality star is reportedly seeking further answers from his accuser, Corinne Olympios.

Sources claim he’s ready and willing to speak with his former “Bachelor In Paradise” co-star. According to TMZ he’s not angry, though he was “blindsided and confused” by the situation, and wants to hear Corinne’s side. He has no plans of reaching out to her first, but would be willing to meet with her if she were interested.

Read: ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Star Alex Woytkiw Denies Hooking Up With Corinne Olympios

While neither DeMario nor Corinne has spoken directly about the incident, other Bachelor Nation members have been quick to share their thoughts. “Bachelorette” star Will Gaskins shared with Instagram followers his feeling that the controversy was racially charged. While the Season 13 contestant didn’t mention Corinne’s name explicitly, he referenced her having hooked up with several other people on the same day, noting that there was no concern or question of consent until she got involved with a black man.

“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,” Will wrote. “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.”

He went on to defend DeMario, calling his “Bachelorette” Season 13 co-star one of the “most straightforward and caring” people. He added that while some have tried to ignore the role race plays in the controversy surrounding the “Bachelor In Paradise” incident, he can’t. Will closed by saying he was hopeful that DeMario’s name would continue to be cleared in the coming days.

Although Warner Bros. concluded their investigation, citing no evidence of sexual assault on the set, DeMario’s decided to remove himself from the franchise. Production on “Bachelor In Paradise” is underway once more, but the controversial character won’t be appearing. In a statement to CNN, he claimed he just didn’t think it was “a good idea.”

None of DeMario’s other “Bachelor In Paradise” co-stars have spoken on his character, nor his decision not to return to the show. Several have, however, shared their own accounts of the events that unfolded that fateful night. Jasmine Goode has been among the most outspoken Season 4 contestants, shutting down Corinne’s allegations left and right.

On Twitter on June 19, she and former “Bachelor” Season 21 co-star Raven Gates responded to a Hollywood Life story alleging that Corinne had sustained injuries during the incident. Jasmine revealed that not only had she been with her co-star when she got the scrapes, which she blamed on a fall in a rocky area, but she went with her to be treated by “Bachelor In Paradise” medics. Raven added that they were forced to do so by producers, who focused first and foremost on their well being.

Read: Corinne Olympios’ Boyfriend Stands By Her Amid ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Scandal

Jasmine previously opened up to E! Online about the alleged sexual assault on the show’s set. She assured the publication that she had been around Corinne that night and heard nothing about any hurt or wrongdoing. In fact, she told the publication that the former “Bachelor” villain acted no differently that night than she had during her time on Nick Viall’s season.

“The day of the incident under investigation, Corinne did not display any change in behavior from what was observed by the cast on her season of ‘The Bachelor,’” she told E! Online. “Corinne forced herself on three male cast members when they were unable to consent, in addition to engaging with DeMario. After the incident. Everything seemed fine. There was no mention about being hurt. However, when producers tried to cut her off from drinking, she got upset and said, ‘Watch, watch what I’m gonna do.’”