Corinne Olympios revealed to Chris Harrison in her Bachelor in Paradise interview that this summer's sex scandal was "heart-sinking" for her and she wishes nothing but the best for DeMario Jackson.
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Corinne wore a white, spaghetti-strap cocktail dress and admitted she was "really nervous" to talk about the incident given she had a "really hard time" over the last couple of months.
"I just want people to know that I never blamed DeMario. I never pointed fingers at DeMario. I never said a bad word about DeMario. It's just so heart-sinking to have to go through something like that," Corinne told Chris.
Bachelor in Paradise suspended production on Season 4 in June after a producer filed an allegation of misconduct in regards to a sexual encounter between Corinne and DeMario on the first day of filming. The producer was concerned Corinne was too intoxicated to consent.
"I definitely over-drank and I was also on some medication you're not supposed to drink on... This medication is something I started taking after my last season on The Bachelor. It is a newer medication and it takes time to kick in and build in your system," Corinne explained of her inability to remember the incident, adding that her body was present in Paradise but her mind was not.
"It's something that never happened before and it was really scary for me."
While Warner Bros. was conducting an investigation into the events that transpired at Playa Escondida in Mexico, Corinne called herself a traumatized "victim" through a press statement, which prompted speculation DeMario had sexually assaulted Corinne.
DeMario, however, argued at the time that his character had been "assassinated" with "false claims and malicious allegations." (Corinne later clarified she felt victimized by the press as well as people with judgments and assumptions about the scandal).
When thinking about the morning after the pair's sexual encounter in Paradise before cameras stopped rolling, Corinne recalled, "There were no hard feelings against [DeMario]. I just went about my day normally and we were cordial... it was just normal... We were just chilling. I was doing me and he was doing him."
Warner Bros. ultimately determined in its investigation there was no evidence of misconduct or wrongdoing on the set of Bachelor in Paradise, and so the show resumed filming in late June and DeMario's name was cleared.
"I honestly don't think [DeMario] did anything wrong, especially because everyone thought I was just having fun," Corinne explained to Chris.
"There's no way for you guys to know that [I] was mentally checked out, like, 'Corinne's not here right now,' which is beyond scary. It just is what it is, I guess. I don't think it's anyone's fault. I just think, again, it was an unfortunate and annoying situation that had to go down and it really sucks."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOWCorinne was slut-shamed and accused of throwing DeMario under the bus during the scandal this summer. Even her close friends, Jasmine Goode and Raven Gates, took DeMario's side in the situation because they believed he was totally innocent.
Corinne therefore admitted she went through several very low moments and surviving the gossip and rumors was "really, really rough" for her.
"When I watch [footage], I'm still like, 'How did this happen?'" Corinne said, adding that she could have never predicted the incident would blow up into this huge scandal and make national headlines.
Corinne also said it was difficult to gather her thoughts and talk to DeMario about what went down in Paradise because he was "so on the defense" and constantly talking to the media. Corinne was afraid to make the situation any worse since DeMario seemed so worked up.
"I was never mad at you or blaming you for anything," Corinne told DeMario by looking at the cameras.
"I do wish we could have [talked]... The media wants to paint you a certain way that you know you're just not. You know who you are inside and it's so hard when people become experts on you and your life... you weren't there and it's hard, and I hope he's doing better."
Corinne said she wished the situation could have been handled differently, and she wanted DeMario to know that she respects him and is so sorry for what he had to go through. Corinne also thanked fans, family and friends who supported her throughout the whole ordeal.
RELATED LINK: 'BACHELOR IN PARADISE' SPOILERS: WHICH COUPLES SPLIT? WHO BROKE UP BEFORE FANTASY SUITES? WHO HASN'T ARRIVED YET?
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
