Netflix recently dropped the official trailer and release date for Coming Out Colton, a docuseries that will chronicle former The Bachelor lead Colton Underwood's struggle to accept his identity as a gay man. In April, Colton shocked the world when he came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community on Good Morning America. Around the same time, rumors began swirling that Colton was in the process of filming a reality show for Netflix that would center on his coming out journey. Despite backlash from some of Bachelor Nation at the idea, those rumors proved to be true, with Coming Out Colton slated for release on the streaming platform in just a few days.
Colton starred on The Bachelor season 23 after getting eliminated by Becca Kufrin on The Bachelorette season 14. The former NFL player, who was vocal about being a virgin, ended up with Cassie Randolph at the end of his Bachelor journey and they dated for over a year. But when the pair eventually announced a seemingly mutual breakup, things got ugly. Cassie filed a restraining order against Colton after he put a GPS tracker on her car. This distance from Cassie allegedly gave Colton time to reflect. Nearly a year later, Colton appeared on Good Morning America to reveal that he's gay and that he always questioned his sexuality (even while starring as The Bachelor) but tried to be straight. While much of Bachelor Nation praised Colton, a portion felt the timing of everything — including production of the Netflix show — was strategic.
Regardless of fans' opinions, Coming Out Colton is moving forward, full steam ahead. On YouTube, Netflix unveiled the official trailer (seen below) for the series, which premieres exclusively on the platform on Dec. 3. The 2-and-a-half-minute-long preview begins with Colton saying, "I didn't want to be gay, and the main voices in my head were just telling me, 'You'll get through this, you'll get through this.'" It goes on to show him fighting between coming out and remaining a "man of faith," and how he thought he was "gonna die with this secret." One scene shows Colton telling his father that he's gay, a conversation that caused much anxiety and stress. He also chats with Gus Kenworthy, a freestyle skier and Olympic medalist who came out as gay in 2015. Gus appears to serve as a mentor and friend for Colton.
On Instagram, Colton shared the trailer for Coming Out Colton with the caption, "Everyone's coming out story is different and I'm grateful for the people who have shared theirs with me. Here is a first look at mine." Responses were overwhelmingly positive. One fan commented, "It takes a real man to share his personal life like this." Another said, "I hope this helps others be as brave... well done Mr." A number of commenters informed Colton that they've been struggling to come out to their own loved ones, and he inspired them to do so.
Colton certainly showed bravery in what he did on Good Morning America. However, much of Bachelor Nation hasn't forgotten how he treated Cassie after their relationship ended. According to the trailer, this will be covered in Coming Out Colton. In a clip that appears to be Colton out to dinner with a friend, the friend tells him, "What you put her through was bull****." Regarding this, Kenworthy previously said, "I think that that's totally fair and valid that people took issue with that, and I think that the show will address that." In defense of Colton, he added, "It sort of feels like you're drowning sometimes. And then you get through that and you climb up the ladder and I think people are too quick to pull the ladder up after them." It will be interesting to see what is and isn't featured in Coming Out Colton and how fans of The Bachelor will react to it.
Source: Netflix/YouTube, Colton Underwood/Instagram