Colton Underwood, reigning lead of The Bachelor and purported amateur at lip-locking, has defended his kissing style after mass criticism. Any man cast as The Bachelor needs to be well-versed in the art of the kiss, and Underwood claims he was up for the challenge when his number was called.

The former NFL player and ex-virgin famously jumped a fence in his roundabout journey to find love with Cassie Randolph during his season of The Bachelor. Since then, he and Randolph have done their best to stay away from the public sphere while this season Bachelor in Paradise generates more headlines than a Sunday edition of the New York Times. He was, however, brought up on the show when Sydney Lotuaco and Caitlin Clemmens agreed that Underwood was the worst kiss they've had. Tayshia Adams pushed back a bit, telling the Underwood's earlier eliminations that his making out improved throughout the season. Demi Burnett has since tweeted that she thought Underwood was skilled in the making out department. Underwood has heard the feedback, both good and bad, and he recently fired back to all the women who thought his osculations were insufficient.

Related: Bachelor Colton Underwood Throws Shade at Troll Over Demi Burnett's Love Life

In an interview with Us Weekly, Underwood sounded slightly annoyed that his exes would discuss his kissing on national television. He said, "I think it’s sort of an intimate thing that should remain - I mean even if you breakup with your ex, you’re not going to go, ‘Oh, he was a bad kisser.'" Underwood said he's now focused on his relationship with Randolph, and that she approves of his kisses. He told Us, "Cassie said I was a good kisser so that’s all that matters."

the bachelor Colton Cassie relationship

Instead of getting into the salivating details of his smooching form to defend himself, Underwood claimed that “kissing is a preference.” Amidst all the shenanigans that have taken place on the sixth season of Bachelor in Paradise, Underwood was surprised that the conversation was even aired. He said, “They film a lot of hours, I don’t know how that ended up making the cut." 

While Underwood appears unshaken by the developing news, it must be a shot to any man's ego when multiple women announce to the world that their kiss isn't up to snuff. Nonetheless, he repeated with confidence that there's only one woman on the planet whose pointed opinion on his tongue and lips would carry any weight. Randolph, for her part, has said that she is a proponent of her boyfriend's chops. But what happens if their relationship doesn't work out? Underwood would then find himself at a severe disadvantage in the dating pool, hindered not by his extremely good looks, chiseled physique, or Bachelor Nation fame - but rather his alleged inability to swoon a woman with his lips alone. 

Next: The Bachelorette's Mike Johnson Praises Demi Lovato's Cellulite in Bikini Pic

Source: Us