Fiery feud engulfs America’s ‘most hated reality star’: Insiders let rip over ‘elephant in the room’ casting shadow over Traitors comeback

Peacock’s The Traitors has become a popular way for reality TV veterans and lesser-known celebrities to boost their careers, gaining them fans through smart strategy or memorable quotes.

Colton Underwood, known from being on The Bachelor in 2019, is facing new scrutiny after appearing on Season 4 of a celebrity competition show. His time on the show has brought renewed attention to past accusations that he stalked and harassed his former girlfriend, Cassie Randolph.

Underwood, age 34, seems to want to keep his troubled past private. Entertainment Weekly was specifically told not to ask him about his relationship with Randolph during a recent interview, suggesting he doesn’t want to discuss it.

Despite any attempts at positive publicity, sources say it will be very difficult for the reality star, widely disliked by the public, to regain their popularity.

Jason Underwood initially played football as a linebacker and tight end in the NFL. He first appeared on reality TV in 2018 as a contestant on season 14 of The Bachelorette.

Although he didn’t find romance on Becca Kufrin’s season of The Bachelorette, he came back to the Bachelor franchise a year later as ‘The Virgin Bachelor’ for Season 23, and his virginity was a central theme throughout the show.

That’s where I first learned about Randolph, the speech pathologist who really seemed to connect with Underwood. They dated for a year and a half, which felt like a genuine relationship, but sadly they broke up in May 2020. I was really rooting for them!

Just three months after their split, Randolph filed for a temporary restraining order, publicly claiming Underwood had harassed and stalked her.

In court documents, she alleged that Underwood secretly put a tracking device on her vehicle and also confessed to doing so.

Randolph also stated that Underwood unexpectedly visited both her apartment in Los Angeles and her parents’ home in Huntington Beach, California.

In September 2020, she initially obtained a temporary restraining order. However, two months later, the case was closed permanently because the former couple resolved their issues privately, according to a statement released by Underwood.

The allegations of stalking and harassment against Underwood were also dropped.

In April 2021, actor Jim Underwood publicly came out as gay during an interview on Good Morning America. He married Jordan C Brown, a 39-year-old political strategist, in 2023, and they welcomed their son, Bishop, in September 2024 through surrogacy.

Last month, he made his return to reality TV as a Faithful for Season 4 of The Traitors.

Despite a highly energetic performance and some behind-the-scenes conflict with Lisa Rinna, his comeback was quickly overshadowed. Ultimately, Underwood was eliminated by the Traitors in episode 8.

Some people are suggesting Underwood’s appearance on The Traitors was meant to improve his public image, but sources speaking to the Daily Mail warn viewers not to be fooled by his charming appearance or attempts to appear innocent.

According to an insider, Colton is very deliberate and strategic in his actions. He’s highly self-centered and always tries to present himself in the best possible light.

He often finds comfort in receiving sympathy, which is why he tends to play the victim. Ultimately, though, he’s motivated by a desire for attention and fame.

Throughout this season of the show, which is currently streaming on Peacock, Rinna has consistently challenged Underwood, both during filming and privately.

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member, who was revealed as a ‘Traitor’ on a game show, had previously made a harsh comment to Underwood when news broke about his restraining order situation.

‘Let’s talk about you being a stalker,’ Rinna posted on Threads on January 23.

According to Page Six, Kevin Underwood left the set of The Traitors reunion after Lisa Rinna confronted him about calling her a ‘hostage’ during filming of the show.

However, a different source told the publication that the incident was simply a brief walk during a scheduled break. The person explained that he came back to filming after getting some fresh air and a drink of water.

Underwood recently stated he did not leave the set of The Traitors reunion after hearing rumors that he did, while on the Boyfriend Material podcast with Harry Jowsey.

‘I did not storm off of the set,’ he said.

During filming of the reunion show, there are scheduled breaks while they bring out and position new guests. During one of these 10-minute pauses, I stepped away from my seat to quickly check in with my team and get a drink of water. Everyone else remained seated.

After the show was filmed, Rinna told Variety she didn’t intend to cause any trouble when she spoke to Underwood at the reunion, and expressed hope they could all move forward peacefully.

She shared with Entertainment Weekly that she was unaware of his history while they were filming. However, she confessed that she acted dramatically, like someone on The Real Housewives, when she confronted him on the show.

She stated that if anyone expected her to play the role of a stereotypical ‘Housewife,’ she wouldn’t hold back. And she delivered on that promise, fully embracing the ‘Housewife’ persona people expected from her. However, she didn’t want to escalate any existing conflicts by doing so.

However, one source close to the situation wasn’t shocked to hear Underwood faced tough questions during the reunion filming.

‘He has a very volatile side,’ they claimed.

He’s desperate to be seen as a success story – someone who’s triumphed over hardship and deserves recognition. It genuinely upsets him when people don’t admire him, and I believe he’d do anything, even compromise his values, to achieve fame.

In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Underwood addressed the criticism he faced after being on The Traitors, as well as the public’s increased focus on his relationship with Randolph.

He expressed his hope that people wouldn’t let a very difficult and painful time in his life – the issue with the temporary restraining order – be the only thing they remember about him.

I went through a really difficult time, a low point in my life. Since then, I’ve taken responsibility for my past mistakes and apologized for them. I’m focused on learning from those experiences and continuing to grow as a person.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, Underwood stated he’s apologized to Randolph and remains committed to taking responsibility for his previous behavior.

He told the Daily Mail that he readily admits he made mistakes and has apologized to those affected, taking full responsibility for his actions.

I went through a very difficult time, struggling with thoughts of suicide, being blackmailed, and battling substance abuse. Over the last six years, I’ve focused on healing and personal growth, and I take full responsibility for all the progress I’ve made.

In 2021, after publicly coming out as gay on Good Morning America to Robin Roberts, he apologized to Randolph, admitting, ‘I messed up and made a lot of bad choices. I’m sorry for how things ended.’

Demi Burnett, a former contestant on Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor and a vocal critic of his, told the Daily Mail she thinks Underwood participated in The Traitors solely to get more attention.

She pointedly mentioned the scandal involving the temporary restraining order, saying, ‘It’s unbelievable he thought we’d just ignore it. His sense of privilege is shocking.’

Thirty-one-year-old Burnett criticized the decision to cast Underwood in the Peacock show with a TikTok video that quickly gained attention. In the video, she alleged that Underwood publicly came out as gay to shift focus away from a scandal involving a temporary restraining order.

A source speaking only to the Daily Mail criticized Burnett for repeatedly bringing up Underwood’s history.

People are saying Demi’s attempts to stay in the spotlight are getting increasingly desperate. They claim she doesn’t understand what actually went on between Colton and Cassie.

Okay, look, I’m a huge Demi fan, but it’s honestly just… heartbreaking to watch her keep bringing up old stuff. It feels like she’s really trying to stay in the spotlight, and digging up drama from years ago just feels… desperate. I want her to succeed, but this whole thing is making me cringe, honestly. I wish she’d focus on new music instead of revisiting the past!

Even though the former couple settled their issues privately six years ago and the restraining order is no longer in effect, a source close to the situation says Underwood simply wants the whole scandal to be forgotten.

They told the Daily Mail that this is deeply damaging to his reputation and he doesn’t want to be remembered for it. It also clashes with the positive image he’s trying to create for himself.

After appearing on The Traitors, Underwood told Variety he was bombarded with death threats and subjected to online bullying.

The situation became even more difficult when Michael Rapaport, a fellow cast member, told Underwood at a discussion, ‘You’re probably better at keeping secrets than anyone here.’ Underwood felt this was a hurtful comment alluding to him being secretly gay.

Speaking to Variety, Underwood said that he and Rapaport have since ‘moved past’ their drama.

He explained that the online hate included some deeply inappropriate messages, and that people were bringing up inaccurate and out-of-context details from his past. He emphasized that he has always taken responsibility for his past actions.

Burnett thinks Underwood needs to take full responsibility for his actions instead of offering explanations or justifications.

‘He is the most hated reality star on TV,’ she claimed.

The Traitors Season 4 finale and reunion premiere this Thursday on Peacock at 9pm ET.

If you are struggling, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 for help and support

2026-02-26 18:40

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