DeMario Jackson
DeMario Jackson, pictured May 17, 2017 in a "Bachelorette" cast photo, current "Bachelorette" contestant Will Gaskins says race was a key factor in Warner Bros. and ABC's investigation. Getty Images

Rachel Lindsay's "Bachelorette" suitor Will Gaskins addressed the controversy behind the alleged misconduct between "Bachelor in Paradise" stars DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios on Instagram Tuesday. Gaskins said he believes race played a significant part in Warner Bros. and ABC's investigation.

Although ABC announced Tuesday that "BIP" is set to return, Gaskins says the resolution of the investigation is "not the end of this story" in a long Instagram rant. He was a fellow contestant alongside Jackson on the current season of "Bachelorette."

Read: ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Star Alex Woytkiw Speaks On Corinne Olympios, DeMario Jackson Incident

"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," Gaskins wrote on Instagram. "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."

Gaskins shared more about his friend's character, claiming Jackson to be one of the "most straightforward and caring" people in the "Bachelorette" house.

"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 added. "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."

Gaskins concluded his rant by saying, "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. Rant over.....for now #freedemario."

 

So 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. 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. 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. 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. Those first few days he went out of his way to get to know everyone, take time to make sure that some of the guys who may have been having a hard time dealing with the stresses of the day to day of being on the show felt comfortable and at ease. Nobody got a chance to see that side of D, yes he's loud, yes he's a little obnoxious, and yea he should have clearly broken things off with that other woman before pursuing Rachel. but to those who know him he's also the guy you can call when you are in need and he will be there for you to listen, give advice or just make you laugh and crack a smile. 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. Rant over.....for now #freedemario

A post shared by William Gaskins (@thereal_billyg) on

It was confirmed Thursday that Jackson will reportedly not return to paradise, despite receiving an invitation to come back by showrunners. The former "Bachelorette" contestant believes "it's not a good idea" to return, according to a statement he gave to CNN. Olympios was not invited back.

Gaskins isn't the first member of Bachelor Nation to defend Jackson's character.

Jasmine Goode, who was a contestant on Nick Viall's season of "Bachelor," confirmed last week the details of the alleged scandal to E!.

"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," Goode 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.'"

Read: Who Is DeMario Jackson’s Ex- Girlfriend, LexiThexton? ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Star To Quit ABC Show

On Tuesday, Goode and fellow contestant Raven Gates defended Jackson on Twitter after Hollywood Life published an article with inaccurate information on the controversy. Hollywood Life's article claimed that Olympios received "multiple bruises" from the incident with Jackson.

"Not true at all. We actually fell together when she scraped her knee & I scraped my elbow... #rocks #Facts," Goode wrote in a tweet.

Gates added: "And you both went to the medic. #facts."

Shortly after Olympios hired legal representation, Jackson also nabbed an attorney because his "character has been assassinated," according to a report last Wednesday from E! Online.

Warner Bros. decided to call off the investigation Tuesday, but Olympios' team aren't pleased. They will continue a separate investigation on the incident, according to Los Angeles Times.

"It comes as no surprise that Warner Bros., as a result of its own internal Investigation, would state that no wrongdoing had occurred," Singer said in a statement issued Tuesday, according to the LA Times. "Our own investigation will continue based on multiple new witnesses coming forward revealing what they saw and heard."

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