1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: This is the Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: with i R Radio. Hello everyone, welcome to the Almost 3 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:12,719 Speaker 1: Famous Podcast Coulton Special Edition. This is one of those like, 4 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:17,600 Speaker 1: how many emergency podcasts have we done weeks? That's ridiculous, 5 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: I mean, oh even this year, or like in general, 6 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:22,639 Speaker 1: people not wait to give their news like on a 7 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: Sunday night, so that Monday we can just roll right 8 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 1: into it. All right, So let's talk about it. Um. 9 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: Colton came out as gay on Good Morning America yesterday 10 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,839 Speaker 1: in a interview with Robin Roberts, and I mean, I 11 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 1: think both of us are really happy that he's able 12 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: to live his true self, Like he's able to just 13 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: come to, you know, the realization of who he really 14 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: is and live a free, happy life. It's it's obviously 15 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: been something that's really bogged down on his heart for 16 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:59,040 Speaker 1: a while. Yeah it is. I mean, it's it's good 17 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: to see him have the moment, right, But at the 18 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:05,160 Speaker 1: same time, for as happy as we are that Colton 19 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: gets to uh now be his his most true self, 20 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: there is still the situation with Cassie that kind of 21 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,200 Speaker 1: has came up in the headlines as this has been announced. 22 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: So today We're gonna bring on one of our favorite people. 23 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 1: We've traveled to Las Vegas with him. Uh, Lance Bass 24 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: is going to be on the podcast today. We're gonna 25 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:27,479 Speaker 1: talk through all of this stuff. Um, not only uh 26 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 1: the announcement where Colton Underwood has came out as gay, 27 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 1: but also, uh, what it means for the situation with Cassie. 28 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,760 Speaker 1: How does Colton move forward? Uh this there's a rumored 29 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: show on Netflix that is being filmed right now. Um, 30 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,399 Speaker 1: there's a lot going on. We're gonna break it down 31 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,759 Speaker 1: here and just talk about what we know and who 32 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 1: could do it better than Lance Bass, who was, honestly 33 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 1: in a very similar situation. You know, he was thought 34 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 1: he was a guy that all these girls wanted, who 35 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: had so much attention on him being a big boy 36 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 1: bander versus being the bachelor. I think that it's quite similar. 37 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: They both came out around at the certain the same age. 38 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: They both grew up in conservative Christian households, So there's 39 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,080 Speaker 1: a lot of similarities that I want to get into. 40 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: We're gonna take a break when we come back. We're 41 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: gonna do some Colton Underwood very special headlines, uh, and 42 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: then bring Lance Bass onto the Almost Famous podcast. The 43 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: executive producers of The Bachelor franchise have issued the following 44 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: statement regarding Colton Underwood's The Bachelor Season twenty three interview 45 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: on Good Morning America This Morning, Ashley, What's a Statement. 46 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 1: Their statement reads, we are so inspired by Colton Underwood's 47 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:49,080 Speaker 1: courage to embrace and pursue his authentic self. As firm 48 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 1: believers in the power of love, we celebrate Colton's journey 49 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:58,600 Speaker 1: in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer intersect in asexual 50 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: plus community every step of the way. Bachelor Nation rallies 51 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: around Colton Underwood after he comes out as gay. So 52 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 1: proud of you. That's going to us weekly, so Blake says. 53 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: I texted him. I'm sure I'll hear from him in 54 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: the next couple of days, so I can let him 55 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: know what I think and how proud I am of him. 56 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,920 Speaker 1: I can't imagine. It's impossible for me to imagine what 57 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 1: he went through. I'm proud of him for being true 58 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:25,640 Speaker 1: to who he is. I hope that he's able to 59 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: give a lot of other people courage to do the same. 60 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:32,200 Speaker 1: Proud of my guy at Colton Underwood and Hannah Godwin 61 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: also said, I support Colton for having the courage to 62 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: be finally able to live his authentic his life authentically. 63 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:42,839 Speaker 1: Nobody should have to hide from who they really are. 64 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: I always wish Colton the very best and hoping that 65 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: he has found peace. Hannah, of course, was his second 66 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: third runner up, and Taitia was in that group as well, 67 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 1: and Tatia says through her rep that she's very happy 68 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: that Colton is now able to live of his life 69 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: openly without fear of sharing who he is. For a 70 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: Bachelors Star, Colton Underwood comes out as gay. This according 71 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: to Good Morning America. Yes, okay, so here are some 72 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:16,279 Speaker 1: of the quotes from the interview. He said, I ran 73 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 1: from myself for a long time. I hated myself for 74 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: a long time. I am gay, and I came to 75 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 1: terms with that earlier this year, and I've been processing it. 76 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 1: And the next step in all of this is sort 77 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: of letting people know. I'm still nervous. But it's been 78 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 1: a journey for sure. Um. He also says Robin Roberts, 79 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: who was also openly gay, so that she saw the 80 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 1: joy and saw the relief in Colton before and after 81 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: the interview. She said that he was like all tense 82 00:04:43,279 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 1: and of course very nervous before the interview. UM, but 83 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 1: then afterwards he just it just seemed like a you know, 84 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 1: a weight was lifted. He said that he's going through, 85 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,560 Speaker 1: you know, a very emotional time, but in a very good, happy, 86 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 1: positive way. He says it's the happiest and healthiest he's 87 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 1: ever been. Um. And there was there was a time 88 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: where he said it was a wake up call. He 89 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: said he would have rather died than said that he 90 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:07,839 Speaker 1: was gay. He said that there was a moment when 91 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: he was living in l A when he woke up 92 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:12,480 Speaker 1: and he didn't think he was going to wake up 93 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: because he didn't have the intentions of waking up. Um, 94 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: And he did and that was a moment where he 95 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,919 Speaker 1: he knew he had to take back control of his life. Well, 96 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:27,279 Speaker 1: there is obviously the celebration I think for for most people. 97 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna say everybody. I'm sure there's some people 98 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 1: out there not feeling this way. UM. On Colton Underwood's announcement, 99 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 1: there's a celebration, there's some peace. Um, there's a lot 100 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 1: of courage that it took for Colton to do this. Uh, 101 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 1: this is starting a whole new journey that you know, 102 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 1: we all hope UM lifts a burden from him. However, 103 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: the as many people have stated, and we've got a 104 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 1: lot of messages, there's a lot of headlines, a lot 105 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 1: of opinions about this. We have to talk about it. 106 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 1: You still have the Cassie Randolf situation still looming right 107 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: there's you know, there was the restraining order placed on 108 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 1: Coulton by Cassie that was then dropped UM over a 109 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,919 Speaker 1: series of a few months. Uh. And now you know 110 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 1: Colton has came back into the public, I guess because 111 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 1: he kind of you know, went away for a bit 112 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: with this announcement. And so this headline reads cold would 113 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 1: publicly apologizes that Cassie Randolph after coming out as gay. 114 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 1: The quote is, I made a lot of bad choices. 115 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: This according to US Weekly, he said, I got into 116 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: a place with my personal life that was dark and bad. 117 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 1: And I can list a bunch of things, but they'd 118 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 1: all be excuses. I'd like to say, I'm sorry for 119 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: how things ended. I messed up. I made about a 120 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: lot of bad choices. I loved everything about her, and 121 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 1: it's hard for me to articulate exactly what my emotions 122 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: were going through that relationship with her, because obviously I 123 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 1: had an internal fight going on, he says. I I 124 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 1: would just say that I'm sorry from the bottom of 125 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 1: my heart. I'm sorry for any pain and emotional stress 126 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,080 Speaker 1: that I caused. I wish it that it wouldn't have 127 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: happened the way it did. I wish that I had 128 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: been courageous enough to fix myself before I broke anyone else. 129 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:09,359 Speaker 1: It's interesting how much has happened with Colton since his 130 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: memoir came out a year ago. At that point, he 131 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 1: was still with Cassie. There was no restraining order and 132 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: no harassment charges. He hadn't come out as gay, um, 133 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: and he talks about you know, so I'm just wondering 134 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 1: is he going to come out with a whole fresh 135 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: book Because it's funny because because the book was called 136 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: The First Time Finding Myself and Looking for Love on 137 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: Reality TV, and and now he's kind of admitting that 138 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 1: he hadn't found himself at that point. When the book 139 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: came out. I know that there was rumors that he 140 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: was going to add chapters to it, but it really 141 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: makes me wonder if he's just going to like completely 142 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: write another book. Well, yeah, you know, hey, Colton for 143 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: everything that people are celebrated by, Colon always has loved 144 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: to take advantage of the opportunity, like, I don't think 145 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 1: anybody's gonna say that's not true. And so uh if 146 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: if there's a book written, not a surprise, maybe it's needed. 147 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: Maybe it can be a good next step step for him. Um, 148 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: you know that it gets really difficult now. I think 149 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: when it comes to the situation with Cassie UM after 150 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 1: the restraining order was dropped, we haven't heard a lot 151 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: about it from either of them, So there's not since 152 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 1: we've talked about it before. You know, we've talked about 153 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: it um in a few episodes in the past. We 154 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 1: don't have a lot of new news and updates on it. 155 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 1: There's not a lot of new information. Neither of them 156 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 1: have really spoken their opinion. The only thing we have 157 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 1: is Colton is now announcement because this is the first 158 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 1: time he kind of came back to public apologizing the 159 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 1: Cassie for the pain that he caused. Now, no Cassie 160 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: is saying, well, she's not saying it. Somebody is saying 161 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 1: it for her that she's still processing this announcement. She 162 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: was not made aware that this was going to be 163 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: coming out, and so I think over the next few weeks, 164 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 1: this will be something that we cover, We have to 165 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 1: talk about it, we'll have to see, you know what 166 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:07,199 Speaker 1: her responses. Give her time in the space to process, 167 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: give her the space that she will need the process. Um. 168 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 1: You know, but we we can't just act like this 169 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: didn't happen a few months ago, right, that it did. 170 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 1: But it also I mean, and this is my opinion, 171 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 1: and please tell me if anybody out there disagrees, But 172 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,959 Speaker 1: we can still celebrate the fact that that Colton had 173 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: the courage to come out, um and and tell the 174 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: world that he's gay. I think we can still I 175 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: think we can still feel good about that at the 176 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 1: same time, um, not being okay with what happened a 177 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: few months ago. Exactly, we can feel multiple things at 178 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 1: once because personally, like I struggled with that I did 179 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: yesterday as this came out, UM, as I watched the interview. 180 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: As you know, as you see somebody that you know 181 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: sit on national television and announce something that you know 182 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:54,960 Speaker 1: he had been holding on for a while, you knew 183 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 1: that wasn't easy for him to do. UM, So you know, 184 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: I personally had the emotion where I was like, I'm 185 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: really happy for this moment, but I'm still not okay 186 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:07,079 Speaker 1: with what happened the past exactly. How do you balance 187 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 1: and navigate that tension? And I personally don't know yet 188 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: how I can badly, but this isn't about me, you know, 189 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:17,840 Speaker 1: I'm just sitting here as a fan or a viewer like, 190 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:21,720 Speaker 1: this isn't about me at all. We just have to continue. 191 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: I feel like we just continue to feel a little 192 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 1: bit conflicted in this while like we wait for Cassie 193 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: to say something. Now that she needs to even say something, 194 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:30,959 Speaker 1: it's really like that's on her life anymore. She really 195 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: doesn't have to doesn't want to. True, Yeah, but there 196 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: is a tension there. However, for the sake of this podcast, 197 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 1: we're going to cover this story that's a massive em 198 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: Bachelor Nation. It's the first Bachelor who has now came 199 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 1: out as gay. This is a story that we have 200 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 1: to talk about that. So we're here today and that's 201 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:48,559 Speaker 1: what we're gonna bring on. Somebody who can really help 202 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: navigate this with us is Lane's Bass, and I think 203 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: honestly can speak a lot of wisdom and truth into 204 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:56,400 Speaker 1: this new season of life that Colton is walking into. 205 00:10:56,600 --> 00:11:01,640 Speaker 1: All right, let's get lands in. WELLO, guys, Hey, how 206 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 1: are you the ass man? It's good to talk to 207 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: you again. It's been a bit. It was Las Vegas 208 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:11,319 Speaker 1: when I was last able to hang out with you, 209 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: and I think Ashley is probably last able to hang 210 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 1: out with you. Oh no, no, Lance and I have 211 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: spilled him many times since intimate relationship. That's fantastic, very proud. Well, Uh, Lance, 212 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 1: you're obviously here. Uh. Based on the announcement that Colton 213 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 1: Underwood made yesterday, Um, there is uh and I'm gonna 214 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 1: walk through this with you. I really hope that you 215 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:36,760 Speaker 1: can help navigate this and share a lot of wisdom 216 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: because you've been through this season. But this there's these 217 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 1: moments in in reality television, uh that just like are 218 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 1: are in a sense like sacred or they transcend the 219 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 1: reality television world. This is one of those yesterday. No 220 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:54,559 Speaker 1: matter you know what you think of of Colton, you 221 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: you've got to celebrate this moment for him, right because 222 00:11:56,679 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: you know how big of a step this was. Well, 223 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,680 Speaker 1: you know, I do feel like the official gay guide 224 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 1: to people coming out. Um, it's uh, you know, in 225 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: this business you meet tons of people that are still 226 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 1: in the closet. There's several major actors and musicians out 227 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 1: there that still have not been able to come out 228 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: publicly because they fear many things. Uh. They fear what 229 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: their family is going to think, they you know, their friends. Um, 230 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:27,280 Speaker 1: It's just everyone's coming out is their own story, right Uh. 231 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 1: And I'm just glad that Colton could tell his story, 232 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,560 Speaker 1: you know, I can. I can really relate to his 233 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 1: experience because in a way, you know, I was kind 234 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:39,960 Speaker 1: of like in a batch nation type situation where my 235 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 1: fans were women and they all thought I was straight, 236 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 1: and I that's how I made my money off of women, 237 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 1: right and and seeing about love uh and using you 238 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: know that market. So uh, you know, me coming out, 239 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: it was it was scary because I'm like, well, crap, 240 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 1: now everyone's you know, going to see me as a liar, 241 00:12:57,880 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 1: you know, and why did I do this to them? 242 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: So you start, I don't know, you start telling yourself 243 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:07,079 Speaker 1: all these just the worst case possible scenarios of everything. Um, 244 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: you know, even my family. You know, I'm from Mississippi, 245 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: So I was like, crap, Like, what's what's my family 246 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 1: going to think? How is how is my little small 247 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:17,360 Speaker 1: town I'm gonna treat my family when I come out. Um. So, 248 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: you know, there's there's a lot of a lot of 249 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,599 Speaker 1: things going through your mind before you're able to publicly, 250 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 1: you know, admit that yes, I am gay. Um. And 251 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 1: on the flip side of that also is you know, 252 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,679 Speaker 1: this gay community is very uh you know, diverse. Um, 253 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 1: but we can also be very fickle. You know. It's uh, 254 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: You're he's definitely gonna get a lot of backlash from 255 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 1: the community at first, not not the majority, but there 256 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: is a small percentage of the community that's just gonna 257 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 1: not like the fact that he came out this way 258 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:54,679 Speaker 1: that he's using. Uh, this is you know, monetizing the experience. UM. So, 259 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 1: I mean, you're you're gonna get that, and they don't 260 00:13:56,600 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 1: think that he deserves this attention. Uh. And one of 261 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:02,839 Speaker 1: those reasons is and this is what I experienced when 262 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 1: I came out. Um, you don't know when you when 263 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 1: you first come out, most people they have no clue 264 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 1: about the LGBT community. They don't know what the issues are. 265 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: They have no idea because they've been so separated from 266 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: that on purpose. UM. So when someone comes out as 267 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: a public figure. So many people immediately go to like, 268 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 1: screw that, it's too late that you know, It's like 269 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 1: they don't they don't like to support it because they 270 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 1: don't feel like you you know what you're talking about yet. 271 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: But I don't think Colton is kind of leading that 272 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 1: charge of trying to be the spokesperson for the LGBT community. Uh. 273 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: I see him really, you know, taking the responsibility of 274 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: you know, learning about the community, sharing his story with 275 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: this documentary, and a lot of people like, great, this 276 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 1: is all for the money's doing a documentary. Well, yeah, 277 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: that's that could be. But I mean, for me, seeing 278 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 1: a documentary like that is only going to help the 279 00:14:57,360 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 1: community because people will know every every story that you 280 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: see on television or or in a film of a 281 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: gay you know character, everyone, you know, a different person 282 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 1: can relate to that. And we haven't had too many 283 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 1: representations of you know, a gay personal and television that 284 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: came from this world. You know of this you know, 285 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: crazy sports world. We had to hide it. And I mean, 286 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 1: I'm just assuming that one of the reasons that he 287 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: couldn't come out was because of his family and you know, 288 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:29,080 Speaker 1: his dad he calls coach, so I mean, I've I've 289 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: seen that, you know, over and over and over again. 290 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: I've heard you know that story, and so many people 291 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: can relate to that of you know, keeping it such 292 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: a sinker for so long because of your dad. You know, 293 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 1: it's it's it's I think the number one reason people 294 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: stay in the closets because their parents. Yeah, yesterday it 295 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 1: was said that his dad actually was there for the 296 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 1: Good Morning America interview and stood beside him, which I 297 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: think is a special moment. I just want to touch 298 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 1: on something you said earlier. There's so much you just 299 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 1: covered that I'd love to dig into because quite honestly, uh, 300 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 1: I don't know a lot about the community, um and 301 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 1: I would love to, you know, to learn more. And 302 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 1: it feels like this year, I don't know, it has 303 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: just been a year of learning about so many things 304 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 1: that I have been ignorant to or just not focused on. 305 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: And so I'm really glad that we could take this moment. 306 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: But you made a comment right at the beginning, you 307 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: said you feel like you're the gay guide in these situations. 308 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 1: Is that something that bothers you personally? Is that something 309 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: that you necessary like And I say this and I'm 310 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:29,360 Speaker 1: gonna say something here and you could come off. Colton 311 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 1: made an announcement on national television yesterday. One of the 312 00:16:32,680 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 1: first things I thought was, is he ready for this step? 313 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 1: Like he might not. He is gonna be a face 314 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 1: now for this community. You are as you self admitted, 315 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: like the gay guide in these situations? Is that a 316 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 1: burden that feels really heavy? Is that something you enjoy? 317 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 1: Are you? Is he ready for? Like? Can you walk 318 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: me through that? I mean, I don't find it a 319 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: burden at all, you know. I I wish I would 320 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 1: have had someone to be able to talk to when 321 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: I first came out or right where I, you know, 322 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: came out. Um, it would have helped explain a lot 323 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:05,880 Speaker 1: of things to me. It would have helped me say 324 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 1: the right things the right way, um, because everyone is 325 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 1: going to be judging you so much, you know, in 326 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:14,439 Speaker 1: this moment, right when you, you know, come out. I 327 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,120 Speaker 1: remember when i've and in my situation, and I don't 328 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,159 Speaker 1: know if this was his situation too, but um, you 329 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:21,960 Speaker 1: know I was out it like I I didn't have 330 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 1: a choice, Like I had to come out or they 331 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: were going to write the story. So I was kind 332 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 1: of like really just pushed out of the closet. Um, 333 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,120 Speaker 1: So I didn't really have the time to find gay 334 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 1: allies and and you know, you know, get to know 335 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 1: the community before I came out. And so you know, 336 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 1: you'd show up at HRC events, which I've done before, 337 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: you know, as a quote unquote street guy. But this time, 338 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 1: you know, I go on stage and I make a speech, 339 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: and you know, two tables get up, flip me off 340 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 1: and leave. You know. So it's just like, holy crap, 341 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: that was my that was my introduction to the gay 342 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: community that event, Like, well, this is going to be 343 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 1: a very long road. What HRC just Human Rights Campaign. Yeah, 344 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 1: it's a really great organization. Um. But you know, but 345 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 1: I understand where they're coming from. I I get it. Um, 346 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: it's not the way I would would do it and 347 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: try to educate people. Um. But you know, there's a 348 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: lot of hard feelings for especially the older gay community 349 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 1: because of what they had to go through. I mean, 350 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 1: the older generation of gays. They I mean they went 351 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 1: through some they I mean, you know, majority of their 352 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 1: friends died from the AIDS pandemic, and and they just 353 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 1: saw a lot of death and and all the fighting 354 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 1: they had to do just to get equal rights. I 355 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 1: mean it was. It's a lot harder than it is today. 356 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 1: And I think a lot of a lot of that 357 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 1: generation looks at us young guns and especially even could 358 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: the young young ones, um that they don't they don't 359 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 1: understand where the community came from, and that they're not 360 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 1: willing to understand it. But you know, but you have 361 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 1: to give him a chance. Like he just came out, 362 00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: Let's see what he does with it. Were se when 363 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: you came out and you were forced out? Um? What 364 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 1: took you so long? Um? Many reasons. I mean the 365 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 1: number one was in Sync. Uh. You know, as long 366 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,679 Speaker 1: as I was in the group, I didn't want to 367 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 1: even talk about it, mention it, uh, you know, act 368 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:23,159 Speaker 1: on it, because you know, it was so ingrained in 369 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: me that if anyone found out it was gay, in 370 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: sync would be overdone. And now I've got, you know, 371 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 1: my four best friends, you know, careers in my hands 372 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: that I just completely just trashed. Um. So I mean 373 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: that that was the number one. I just didn't want 374 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:43,840 Speaker 1: to hurt you know, my my group. Um uh. And 375 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 1: then you know the other the the next you know, Um, 376 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 1: the problem I had was being where I'm from in Mississippi, 377 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:53,560 Speaker 1: you know, your you grow up. You know, I grew 378 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:55,640 Speaker 1: up in the church, going to church three times a week, 379 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:58,880 Speaker 1: and you know, you're taught that gay people are going 380 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,479 Speaker 1: to hell and they're and their pedophiles, and it's just 381 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: you have such a bad feeling about gay people, um, 382 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 1: you know, and when that's instilled in you at such 383 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 1: a young age, you you think that's the truth. I mean, 384 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 1: why wouldn't it be the truth? You're You're the adults 385 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 1: were telling you this, your preachers telling you this, so 386 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:19,639 Speaker 1: they're not lying to me, you know. Um. So growing 387 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:23,879 Speaker 1: up in an environment like that really does keep you 388 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:27,360 Speaker 1: in the closet because you just you don't know what 389 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 1: hate you're going you're going to receive. When you did 390 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 1: come out, like, did you even feel any of the 391 00:20:32,840 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 1: hate that you expected to receive? It was way less 392 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:39,239 Speaker 1: than I thought. I mean, of course I saw, you know, 393 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 1: the biggots go after me. Uh. And I mean even today, 394 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:45,159 Speaker 1: I mean, gosh, I'll go on social media and I 395 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 1: you know, I still get called fat like every day 396 00:20:47,840 --> 00:20:49,880 Speaker 1: of my life, so that's just part of it. But 397 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 1: I also got called fat when I was in in 398 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: sync the whole time too, So it's something that I've 399 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: been used to of just everyone assuming I'm gay, right, Um, 400 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 1: But I was very surprised because when I came out, 401 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:03,119 Speaker 1: it was it was a different time. It really was. 402 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 1: It was, yeah, and you know, being gay was still 403 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 1: just a crazy hard thing to be and especially in entertainment, 404 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:14,919 Speaker 1: like no one, no one could be gay and on radio, 405 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:17,200 Speaker 1: you know, no one could have their own show or 406 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 1: on film you know when you're gay. Um, so yeah, 407 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:23,640 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it was. It was a crazy time. 408 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:26,800 Speaker 1: And I thought that, wow, everyone is going to hate me. 409 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,199 Speaker 1: Everyone's gonna hate and sink, everyone's gonna make fun of 410 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:32,240 Speaker 1: me and be like, of course the boy bands gay. 411 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:34,159 Speaker 1: Oh let's tell me something we didn't know, like just 412 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,080 Speaker 1: really just take the negative with it. But I mean, 413 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: I would say, was so positive. And it was the 414 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: first time I saw, you know, in my lifetime. It 415 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 1: was the first time I saw such a crazy positive 416 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: reaction to someone coming out because we all saw what 417 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:53,159 Speaker 1: happened to Ellen and other people like her. Um, and 418 00:21:53,520 --> 00:21:56,560 Speaker 1: you know, watching the story of someone like Ellen keeps 419 00:21:56,560 --> 00:21:58,439 Speaker 1: people in the closet even more. They're like, crap, So 420 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:01,679 Speaker 1: you told you that's what happens become out, what what. 421 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 1: I'm just interested because you know Colton obviously mentioned it. 422 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 1: You know, he grew up uh in a Catholic comb Um. 423 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 1: You know, the church played a big role and uh 424 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:16,359 Speaker 1: and I will go to detail. I was able to 425 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:19,080 Speaker 1: talk to him a little bit about this yesterday. UM. 426 00:22:19,119 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 1: This is something that hurts my soul in the deepest ways. 427 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: UM that he would feel, you know, that he couldn't 428 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:31,920 Speaker 1: be his truest, most authentic self because of um the church. 429 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 1: Where does your faith lie today? Um? And have you 430 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: found that community within you know, the faith world that 431 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:46,000 Speaker 1: does support you. Yeah. You know, my my faith you know, 432 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:50,200 Speaker 1: evolves a lot um, you know, in my life. Now, 433 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:52,920 Speaker 1: I'm I wouldn't say that. I mean, I I don't 434 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:56,520 Speaker 1: believe in organized religion. To me, I think, I mean 435 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:59,480 Speaker 1: I used to, but in recent years I've realized that 436 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:04,240 Speaker 1: organized religion is has just been used for hate and 437 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: it's basically organized hate. And I just think that's horrible. 438 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:10,639 Speaker 1: And you saw that in the last four years, you know, 439 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 1: when we had you know, Trump in office, and you 440 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 1: know a lot of the evangelical Christians were in control 441 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:20,040 Speaker 1: of this country for four years, and we saw the 442 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:23,959 Speaker 1: hatred come out in the last four years. Um, And 443 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 1: it's just you know, I think that's horrible. You know, 444 00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:28,960 Speaker 1: when I grew up in church, it was all about 445 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,199 Speaker 1: you know, giving back to others and loving people. And 446 00:23:32,600 --> 00:23:35,639 Speaker 1: it was really I grew up, you know, just the 447 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 1: teachings of Jesus Christ, which to me today Jesus Christ 448 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 1: has the best message. I mean, it's the same thing 449 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,919 Speaker 1: with Buddha. Also, you know Jesus didn't you know, Jesus 450 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:48,680 Speaker 1: one a Christian, he was Jewish, but his message was 451 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 1: exactly what I like to to, you know, model my 452 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:58,320 Speaker 1: morals after, um. Because everything that has been written about 453 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:01,040 Speaker 1: what he has said or done and has been all 454 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 1: about love and acceptance and exactly what how I believe 455 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:09,080 Speaker 1: in the world. Um. And then to see my same 456 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:13,560 Speaker 1: churches that taught me that use those words to turn 457 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 1: them into hating me. Um, I just saw the evilness 458 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:20,880 Speaker 1: of it. I saw the corruption. And so no, I don't. 459 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:25,119 Speaker 1: I don't believe in organized religion as much as as 460 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: I did. I mean, I'm sure there's some great churches 461 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:29,280 Speaker 1: out there. There's some great churches in l a that 462 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:32,640 Speaker 1: are very accepted of gay people. And I have lots 463 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:36,560 Speaker 1: of gay Christian friends Um, but I can never be 464 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:40,199 Speaker 1: a part of that anymore, just because it's it's just 465 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:45,920 Speaker 1: gotten too corrupt. Thanks for sharing them. Colton talked about 466 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:48,719 Speaker 1: like praying to God that he wouldn't be gay, and 467 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 1: like praying that he He said when he got the 468 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:55,880 Speaker 1: bachelor role that he thanked God for making him straight 469 00:24:56,240 --> 00:24:59,439 Speaker 1: and allowing him to find his wife and have kids. 470 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:04,200 Speaker 1: Did you go through a phase like this? Everyone I know? Did? 471 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 1: I mean since I probably was eight years old. I 472 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:12,399 Speaker 1: prayed every night that I would wake up straight every 473 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:17,680 Speaker 1: single night for years, which really messes with a little 474 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 1: kid's mind. I mean, no little kids should have to, 475 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:24,960 Speaker 1: you know, go through that. Um, so your whole life, 476 00:25:24,960 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 1: you're fooling yourself into thinking, no, I you know, I 477 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:29,639 Speaker 1: just if I don't act on it's fine. I'll be 478 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 1: able to marry a girl, We'll have a family. So 479 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,879 Speaker 1: I totally can relate to why Colton felt great. You 480 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 1: know this was God gave me this gift to being 481 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:40,720 Speaker 1: a bachelor. This means you know that I can be straight, 482 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:43,560 Speaker 1: you know, um, and how I'll be able to beat 483 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 1: a girl and have family. And as long as it 484 00:25:45,480 --> 00:25:48,360 Speaker 1: don't act on this you know, gay feelings, Um, it's 485 00:25:48,359 --> 00:25:50,960 Speaker 1: fine because that's what the church teaches also, is you know, 486 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:54,720 Speaker 1: it's fine being gay. I mean being gay is acceptable. Great, 487 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: you just can't act on it because everyone since just 488 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 1: don't act on it and ask for forgiveness. Did you 489 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 1: ever feel like that within sync, You're like, oh, I 490 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:07,439 Speaker 1: was given all these girls to choose from. Yes, it 491 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:10,160 Speaker 1: was God's little joke to put me in a group 492 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 1: with female audience. I mean it kept me safe, that's 493 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 1: sure for sure. But um, but yeah, I mean it's 494 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,359 Speaker 1: it was funny that that was that was the path 495 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 1: that my life went. But I mean it was there 496 00:26:25,119 --> 00:26:28,000 Speaker 1: was a reason that had happened, and hopefully, you know, 497 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:29,639 Speaker 1: I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing on this 498 00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:34,320 Speaker 1: planet because of it. You dated women to like Danielle Fischel. 499 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:36,399 Speaker 1: It was like kind of you know, it was like 500 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:38,320 Speaker 1: a fling, right, you took her to prom and stuff. 501 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:43,880 Speaker 1: But Danielle we dated for like two years. Oh my goodness. Yeah, 502 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:46,879 Speaker 1: she was my longtime girlfriend. Now. I remember being so 503 00:26:46,960 --> 00:26:49,320 Speaker 1: jealous of her. I was like, not only is she depended, 504 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:52,320 Speaker 1: but she's dating lands I know. And then my thing, 505 00:26:52,359 --> 00:26:54,679 Speaker 1: it was like, look, if I can't, if I can't 506 00:26:55,040 --> 00:26:58,359 Speaker 1: you know, be attracted to Danielle or you know, fall 507 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 1: in love with her that the way because I thought 508 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:02,440 Speaker 1: I was in love, but I was also a teenager, 509 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:04,919 Speaker 1: so I felt you know, I thought that's what love was. 510 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:09,160 Speaker 1: But of course once I felt true love, like, oh, 511 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:12,719 Speaker 1: that's that's what that feeling is. But I knew if 512 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 1: I couldn't find that true love with Danielle, there's no 513 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:18,200 Speaker 1: way I could find it with any other girls. She 514 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 1: was just the perfect, perfect person. Well, Lens, I know 515 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:26,119 Speaker 1: you're you're really busy and and we really appreciate you 516 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:29,240 Speaker 1: coming on. We just have I mean, I personally have 517 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:32,160 Speaker 1: a few more questions for you. UM One is something 518 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 1: you touched on um as you kind of started this out, 519 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:38,679 Speaker 1: you know there is in the last day, it's been 520 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:41,119 Speaker 1: a mix of emotions for a lot of the fans 521 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:44,360 Speaker 1: of The Bachelor, and this isn't about them, but it 522 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 1: is the things that Colton is hearing. Right. You have 523 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:50,560 Speaker 1: a few months ago, you have a restraining order placed 524 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 1: on him by Cassie uh following their breakup. And then 525 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:58,359 Speaker 1: the news got dropped yesterday and I believe TMZ was 526 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:00,800 Speaker 1: the ones to release it, saying that there is a 527 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 1: Netflix documentary currently being filmed that will come out soon 528 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 1: about this journey for Colton, and the response you know, 529 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:09,719 Speaker 1: is mixed for him. You know, you have the celebration 530 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 1: of him having the courage to come out, and then 531 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:16,760 Speaker 1: you have the following of the people saying, hey, Colton, 532 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 1: we support that, but you're monetizing this. This feels weird 533 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 1: to us. What if you could speak into that, maybe 534 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:29,240 Speaker 1: trying to understand his perspective, maybe assuming a few things. 535 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:32,959 Speaker 1: Is it wrong to be doing a documentary? Does it 536 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:37,359 Speaker 1: feel um like he is monetizing a situation that is 537 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 1: very personal? And then how do you walk through the 538 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:43,480 Speaker 1: criticism while at the same time celebrating the fact that 539 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:46,360 Speaker 1: you're starting this whole new journey in life. Yeah, well, 540 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 1: then of course he's monetizing you know, the situation. But 541 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:52,600 Speaker 1: I don't. I don't think Coulton, you know, came up 542 00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:55,000 Speaker 1: with this plan, was like, all right, let's call Netflix 543 00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 1: and see if you know I'm gonna come out. You know, 544 00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:01,080 Speaker 1: him coming out was his only you know thing that's 545 00:29:01,120 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 1: on his mind right now. But when people come to you, 546 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:07,320 Speaker 1: your manager or whatever and they say, look, you know, 547 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:11,000 Speaker 1: we know you're coming out. We would love to document 548 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:13,280 Speaker 1: this because it would help everyone and to be for 549 00:29:13,320 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 1: the greater good. Like I was saying before, you know, 550 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:18,160 Speaker 1: to see just any kind of representation of a gay 551 00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:22,560 Speaker 1: person on television is good. Um. I think the community, 552 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,280 Speaker 1: you know, looks at this as you know, an opportunistic 553 00:29:26,120 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 1: grab of money. Um. But you know they're you know, 554 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:32,640 Speaker 1: they're gonna they're gonna think that because also the community 555 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 1: is upset with great like another you know, um, straight adjacent, 556 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:42,400 Speaker 1: buff white guy. Uh, you know, we're gonna we're gonna 557 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:44,920 Speaker 1: watch his coming out story. What about like, you know, 558 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 1: the black community, or anyone of color, or any or 559 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:51,920 Speaker 1: feminine or you know, all the other flavors of the rainbow. Um, 560 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 1: I think they're like, well, that doesn't really represent you know, 561 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:57,680 Speaker 1: our our real community. You know, it's it's a pretty 562 00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:00,560 Speaker 1: thing to look at, but it's not you know, the 563 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:06,920 Speaker 1: reality of the community leads uh you Okay, So when 564 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 1: you came out, had you had a relationship with a 565 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:16,040 Speaker 1: man before, because Colton admitted yesterday that he has yet 566 00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:20,440 Speaker 1: to have an emotional relationship with a man. Yeah, uh yeah, 567 00:30:20,520 --> 00:30:23,640 Speaker 1: we'll see how that story progressive might just be a 568 00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:26,840 Speaker 1: little too embarrassed to admit it. Right now. Um, but no, 569 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:29,920 Speaker 1: I uh I when I came out, I was on 570 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:33,720 Speaker 1: boyfriend number three, so I had already been out to 571 00:30:33,800 --> 00:30:38,080 Speaker 1: my friends obviously in three relationships. UM, so my core 572 00:30:38,200 --> 00:30:42,360 Speaker 1: people knew. I just didn't think people cared, um until 573 00:30:42,480 --> 00:30:46,000 Speaker 1: years later, you know, when the magazine started calling sand Look, 574 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:48,560 Speaker 1: we know you're gay. We're writing the story with or 575 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:51,120 Speaker 1: without you. What do you want to do? So then 576 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:53,800 Speaker 1: that's when I decided, Okay, well then I need to publicly, 577 00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:57,920 Speaker 1: I guess announced that I'm gay. Man, that's gotta be. 578 00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:01,479 Speaker 1: It's gonna be a whirlwind. Um. If Colton listens to this, 579 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:03,640 Speaker 1: who knows if you will or not. Um, but if 580 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 1: anybody out there is is listening to this in a 581 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:10,600 Speaker 1: similar situation, um, as as you were in and as 582 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:13,880 Speaker 1: Colton has just turned into, what would your advice be 583 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:19,040 Speaker 1: as you navigate this journey? Yeah, UM, listen. That's all 584 00:31:19,080 --> 00:31:21,640 Speaker 1: you need to do right now is just listen to 585 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:27,960 Speaker 1: the community, Listen to everyone around you. You know, educate yourself, um, 586 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:31,560 Speaker 1: and then you know you'll naturally find where you belong 587 00:31:31,600 --> 00:31:34,320 Speaker 1: in this in this community. But the best thing to 588 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:37,880 Speaker 1: do right now is you know, sit back, listen and learn. 589 00:31:40,240 --> 00:31:43,360 Speaker 1: Well Lance, Thank you so much for joining us. You're 590 00:31:43,400 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 1: the greatest. You know how I feel about you. Well, 591 00:31:46,040 --> 00:31:50,719 Speaker 1: I love you, guys. Thanks a lot. I know hey, 592 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 1: you know what I know. You self admitted it. You're 593 00:31:53,320 --> 00:31:55,560 Speaker 1: the gay guide in these situations and you've been a 594 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:57,680 Speaker 1: good guide for us. Thanks for coming on, Thanks for 595 00:31:57,680 --> 00:32:01,200 Speaker 1: giving up your time. Have a great lunch today, enjoy 596 00:32:01,240 --> 00:32:03,560 Speaker 1: it and we hope to see you soon. Al Right, 597 00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:13,040 Speaker 1: Guncle Lance is here to deliver guys. All right, well, Ashley, 598 00:32:13,320 --> 00:32:16,880 Speaker 1: you know we're walking into your obviously friends with Lands. 599 00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:20,120 Speaker 1: I've been able to be around Lands. Um. This is 600 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:25,600 Speaker 1: this is a shocking turn of events in Bachelor Nation. 601 00:32:25,720 --> 00:32:27,719 Speaker 1: This is a big story for a lot of reasons. 602 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:31,440 Speaker 1: This is the first time that a bachelor has came out, 603 00:32:31,920 --> 00:32:36,520 Speaker 1: um as gay. And now I think, as Lances said, 604 00:32:37,040 --> 00:32:39,719 Speaker 1: my job is somebody that is self admittedly very ignorant 605 00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:43,880 Speaker 1: in these situations. I have not um been able to 606 00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:46,360 Speaker 1: be surrounded in my life by a lot of people 607 00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:50,200 Speaker 1: who have came out. And it's I think maybe it 608 00:32:50,280 --> 00:32:52,200 Speaker 1: is that we all need to listen, that we all 609 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:54,960 Speaker 1: need to learn, that we all need to uh through 610 00:32:55,000 --> 00:32:57,520 Speaker 1: all these stages of the last year. Is just continue 611 00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:59,479 Speaker 1: to stay open to what is going on around us, 612 00:32:59,480 --> 00:33:02,360 Speaker 1: what are people saying and where are people hurting. We 613 00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:04,880 Speaker 1: have a few more headlines that I think we could 614 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:08,440 Speaker 1: dive into a little bit um when we come back 615 00:33:08,480 --> 00:33:11,719 Speaker 1: with The Almost Famous Podcast. We'll finish with headlines on 616 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:26,760 Speaker 1: this very special episode of The Almost Famous Podcast. A 617 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:29,280 Speaker 1: few more headlines to cover that we want to speak about. 618 00:33:29,320 --> 00:33:32,200 Speaker 1: Ashley brought it up to Lance Uh during our time 619 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:34,680 Speaker 1: with Lance Bass, and we do appreciate him coming on, 620 00:33:35,560 --> 00:33:38,680 Speaker 1: but Uh to clarify and dig in a bit to 621 00:33:39,040 --> 00:33:41,120 Speaker 1: what actually was talking about. The headline reads this, Colton 622 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:45,080 Speaker 1: Underwood never allowed himself to have an emotional connection with 623 00:33:45,120 --> 00:33:48,240 Speaker 1: a man. I want that more than anything. This according 624 00:33:48,320 --> 00:33:50,960 Speaker 1: to US Weekly m He says he hasn't found a 625 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:53,520 Speaker 1: spark with a male partner yet he's never allowed himself to. 626 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:57,240 Speaker 1: He said, it's never been sort of in my cards 627 00:33:57,280 --> 00:34:00,240 Speaker 1: to let myself get there, and I want more than 628 00:34:00,320 --> 00:34:03,400 Speaker 1: anything to get there. He says that he's looking for 629 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:06,160 Speaker 1: somebody who can push him and challenge him in all 630 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:09,080 Speaker 1: great ways. He says he's ran from himself for a 631 00:34:09,080 --> 00:34:11,279 Speaker 1: long time. He said he hated himself for a long time, 632 00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:17,439 Speaker 1: and this is where he is now. In addition to that, 633 00:34:18,080 --> 00:34:21,400 Speaker 1: we talked about this upcoming Netflix series that will be 634 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:24,840 Speaker 1: coming out pretty soon. This is confirmed. Now there is 635 00:34:24,880 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 1: a Netflix series that is being filmed. Um. This was 636 00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:31,320 Speaker 1: confirmed by TMZ and the headline reads this Cold Underwood 637 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:35,560 Speaker 1: reality TV star again Netflix series about coming out this 638 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:39,839 Speaker 1: again according to TMZ. So the cameras have apparently been 639 00:34:39,880 --> 00:34:44,320 Speaker 1: following him throughout this week. Netflix has declined to comment 640 00:34:44,360 --> 00:34:46,759 Speaker 1: on the project though, so it's not confirmed. And this 641 00:34:46,800 --> 00:34:50,400 Speaker 1: is according to Variety. This is like the ultimate source 642 00:34:50,520 --> 00:34:55,920 Speaker 1: for entertainment news. Um. They say from what the rumors 643 00:34:55,960 --> 00:35:01,400 Speaker 1: are is that the Olympian gust Kenworthy will appear in 644 00:35:01,440 --> 00:35:04,680 Speaker 1: the series, acting as a guide of sorts for for 645 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:08,479 Speaker 1: Coldness he goes through this journey. No word on when 646 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:11,719 Speaker 1: the series will launch, and again no real official announcement 647 00:35:11,719 --> 00:35:15,799 Speaker 1: of it either. But it's very very much rumored. So 648 00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:18,719 Speaker 1: I guess I miss book. It's not fully confirmed, but 649 00:35:18,760 --> 00:35:20,840 Speaker 1: it's very much rumored. It's probably the best way to 650 00:35:20,880 --> 00:35:24,600 Speaker 1: say it. Yes, very like strongly rumored to the point 651 00:35:24,600 --> 00:35:29,800 Speaker 1: where like there's no way it's not happening. Okay, fair enough, Well, Ashley, Oh, 652 00:35:29,800 --> 00:35:32,520 Speaker 1: I just got a text from Lance. He said, I 653 00:35:32,560 --> 00:35:36,600 Speaker 1: think it's finally time for the gay Bachelor spinoff and 654 00:35:36,719 --> 00:35:42,280 Speaker 1: I'll take the host role. Didn't he didn't Lance host 655 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:46,600 Speaker 1: a show that was attempting to do like a gay Bachelor. 656 00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:49,040 Speaker 1: He did. It was on a cable network. I feel 657 00:35:49,040 --> 00:35:52,719 Speaker 1: like it was like TBS or something. But it's interesting 658 00:35:53,239 --> 00:35:55,600 Speaker 1: that that comes up now because you remember the headline 659 00:35:55,600 --> 00:35:58,239 Speaker 1: the other day. Rob Mills was saying that they're having 660 00:35:58,320 --> 00:36:01,920 Speaker 1: some deal with Hulu and they're looking for more Bachelor spinoffs. 661 00:36:02,239 --> 00:36:07,440 Speaker 1: This could be the time. Interesting, it's interesting. Well, Uh, 662 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:11,319 Speaker 1: hey Ashley, Uh, we jumped on here today to cover 663 00:36:11,400 --> 00:36:15,840 Speaker 1: this story. Uh, to cover the announcement yesterday. UM. Glad 664 00:36:15,840 --> 00:36:17,920 Speaker 1: we could give up the time. Really thankful for Lane's 665 00:36:17,960 --> 00:36:20,839 Speaker 1: bass to help jump on here and be um our 666 00:36:21,320 --> 00:36:26,400 Speaker 1: GIY guide as he uh told told us it is 667 00:36:26,440 --> 00:36:28,520 Speaker 1: an episode. We'll we'll continue to talk about this story. 668 00:36:28,560 --> 00:36:31,279 Speaker 1: I'm sure this is not going away. We'll continue to 669 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:34,719 Speaker 1: cover everything surrounding this story in the next couple of 670 00:36:34,760 --> 00:36:40,000 Speaker 1: weeks and months. Um. But this was in a podcast. 671 00:36:40,360 --> 00:36:44,279 Speaker 1: UH pretty focused on Colton Underwoods announcement yesterday on Good 672 00:36:44,280 --> 00:36:48,759 Speaker 1: Morning America with Robin Roberts as he officially announces that 673 00:36:48,840 --> 00:36:51,240 Speaker 1: he is gay, and he is starting this new chapter 674 00:36:51,440 --> 00:36:55,720 Speaker 1: of his life with that I've been Been, I've Been, Ashley. 675 00:36:56,400 --> 00:37:01,719 Speaker 1: Why did that sound weird? But it's fine? Followed the 676 00:37:01,760 --> 00:37:04,960 Speaker 1: Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast on iHeart Radio 677 00:37:05,120 --> 00:37:07,520 Speaker 1: or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.