DeMario Jackson Is Defending Corrine Olympios After She Was “Slut Shamed” on Social Media

When allegations of misconduct halted production on season four of Bachelor in Paradise following a reported incident between DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios, it was only a matter of time before the rumors began to fly.

Both contestants released official statements on the matter, with Olympios saying that she was “a victim,” and that “as a woman, this is my worst nightmare.” Jackson also spoke out to say that it was unfortunate that his “character and family name has been assassinated this past week with false claims and malicious allegations.”

Now, Jackson is speaking out further about the events that led to his likely absence from the show, and how the public’s quick judgement have affected all parties involved.

Regardless of anything that may have happened between the two former contestants, Jackson says he’s most upset about the premature reactions they have faced and the language they have been subject to over the pair’s encounter, which touches on both racial and gender issues our society continues to struggle with. “The minute you release this black man’s face and this white girl’s face,” he shared, “before either of us commented on it, I was already, like, a ‘rapist,'” he said. “I was already an, excuse my French, a**hole.”

He also spoke out in defense of Olympios, who he says was painted in an unfairly unflattering light, recounting peoples cries of “She’s a whore,” and “‘She’s a slut.’ They were slut-shaming her because of what she did last season with Nick [Viall]. For me, it was, like, back to the human race, we failed.”

Jackson makes an important point about our society’s tendency to react before we have all the information. Not only is it often times highly inaccurate, it’s also never okay to presume someone’s guilt without fact, nor is it okay to shame someone who may be a victim.

While the production team does not find fault with either Olympios or Jackson, her lawyers continue to investigate the situation on the events of the night in question.

Who is your favorite former Bachelor contestant? Tell us @BritandCo!

(h/t E!Online; photo via ABC + Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty)