Warner Bros. and ABC has officially suspended filming for Season 4 of "Bachelor in Paradise" over misconduct between two contestants. Details are still emerging, but it sounds like Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson got a little too frisky in front of the cameras, and now Olympios has lawyered and ABC could be facing legal action. Is "Bachelor in Paradise" on the verge of cancellation?
What happened in the pool?
An inside source told MSN that the contestants arrived in Mexico for production and everyone was having a good time getting to know each other. With the alcohol flowing, Olympios and Jackson jumped in the pool together and things quickly escalated. The situation got so bad that one producer felt awkward filming them and complained to the network.
“That's when a 'third party' felt uncomfortable, claiming misconduct in the workplace. As of right now, production of Paradise is suspended indefinitely,” an insider revealed. “And they are sending everyone home and telling everyone else to stay home.
Jackson and Corinne got sent home soon after.”
Jackson told TMZ that they both took their clothes off in the pool and started “rubbing” and “touching.” He says they did not have intercourse because they were too drunk but admitted that he performed oral sex. Sexual encounters happen all the time on the show, but this kind of conduct is usually kept behind closed doors.
Warner Bros. takes action
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. released an official statement after production halted. The announcement came hours after Reality Steve shared an airport photo of the cast as they were headed back to Houston. At the time, nobody was sure what was going on because filming had just started in Mexico.
“We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of "Bachelor in Paradise" in Mexico,” the company explained. “We have suspended production and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action.”
Corinne Olympios lawyers up
TMZ is reporting that Olympios was so wasted hours after the pool incident that she was still slurring and even wearing her clothes inside out. They also reported that she has hired a lawyer and is clearly blaming producers for not putting a stop to her interaction with Jackson, claiming she was clearly incapable of giving consent.
"Bachelor in Paradise" was scheduled to premiere in August, but it’s unclear when the show will return to ABC considering the production delays.
[Photo by ABC]