Cassie Randolph isn't pleased with how Colton Underwood's virginity was the target of jokes and such a prominent storyline on The Bachelor, and that's apparently part of the reason why she won't reveal whether they have been intimate.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I think there was a point where the whole topic on Colton's virginity got a little out of hand," Cassie revealed to Variety in a joint interview with her boyfriend.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS) 

"But I think Colton has handled it really well and being open and honest about that -- that's one of the things I love the most about him, that he's so himself."

She added, "We've decided to kind of shut that door and not discuss it because it's weird having the entire world talk about your sex life."

Cassie apparently took the reins when it came to deciding how the couple would handle that topic in the press once the show finished airing.

"[Cassie] was like, 'You've been very open, you've been very candid. You gave them a little and they've taken a lot -- they've taken it and ran with it, so it's your right to take it back whenever you want and have control over it,'" Colton explained.

Cassie apparently told Colton he has to be the one to shut down the conversation or else chatter will never end.

"I feel like no matter what you say, responding to someone, whether it's saying 'yes' or saying 'no,' unless you stop talking about it, people are just going to continue to talk about it, until you just stop," Cassie insisted.

Colton was labeled "The Virgin Bachelor" when Season 23 of the show was being marketed and promoted.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)

Not only did Colton pose for a photo shoot reenacting Steve Carell's character on The 40-Year-Old Virgin, but his bachelorettes also poked fun at his virginity on Night 1 of filming.

Demi Burnett joked she hadn't dated a virgin since she was 12 years old, Caitlin Clemmens popped a balloon resembling a cherry, and Katie Morton "took his V-card" by having Colton choose a card with a giant "V" on it from a deck of playing cards.

"I feel like with a girl, it probably wouldn't have been talked about as much, honesty," Cassie said, adding, "or maybe the jokes wouldn't have been as extreme."

Colton agreed a double standard exists when it comes to men vs. women being virgins on television.

"I can tell you, if it was a girl, it wouldn't have been as in your face," Colton told Variety. "I would definitely say that."

Ashley Iaconetti and Becca Tilley, for instance, were both virgins when they appeared on Chris Soules' edition of The Bachelor, but producers didn't focus on that aspect of their lives throughout the show.

"I grew up as an athlete. I grew up with the locker room banter. I consider myself to have thick skin -- I can play along with a joke and I can go along with it. I can take it," Colton reasoned.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)

"And I think they sort of read that. The show would have never put me in an uncomfortable situation. They knew right off the bat, even with the popping the cherry and all of that, that they never took it too far."

Colton therefore insisted he doesn't regret ever sharing that he's a virgin.

"I don't think it was exploited in a negative way. Do I think it was overplayed? Yes. That's what I can say,� Colton said. "But exploited? No."

Colton revealed his admission touched many people's lives and so he'd never want to take it back.

"I can't tell you how many people have reached out to me and said, 'Hey, thanks for talking about this, thanks for opening up about this because you've allowed me to be comfortable with who I am and the decisions that I've been making in my life,'" Colton shared.

"I would have never guessed these people would have been reaching out to me and talking to me. For me, I'm willing to be a voice, I'm willing to stand out and take some criticism if I'm helping anybody."

Colton and Cassie both had a realistic approach to The Bachelor and ended the 23rd season as a dating couple. They are still together and happy, and the couple has admitted they've discussed getting engaged in the near future.

RELATED LINK: 'MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT' COUPLES NOW: WHO'S STILL TOGETHER? WHO BROKE UP? (PHOTOS)

Colton also moved to the Los Angeles area recently to be closer to Cassie, however the couple have decided to not move-in together.

Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group!
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS