Colton Underwood believes "Bachelor" producers could and should do a lot more for its stars once the show is over.
While on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen" on March 7, the reality TV was asked by a fan what the "Bachelor" franchise could improve upon.
"I think listening to its former leads and listening to its contestants and also providing help for them when they need it after the show," he said, "because they really come in and change your life and then sort of throw you to the wolves."
Colton has had a complicated relationship with the dating franchise that made him famous. He has issues with producers, but he said he won't "completely" bash them.
"I realize, like, this is an entertainment business, it's a business and you don't take things personally, but I'm still gonna maintain a professional relationship with you," he told Us Weekly in April 2020. "I think when the line started getting crossed, and I got told to be a 'good little boy' and 'keep my mouth shut.' Like, that's when I was like, 'You don't get to say that.'"
He later added, "I'll never bite the hand that feeds me. I appreciate them. I'm thankful for them."
Colton, a former NFL player, was the star of Season 23 of the ABC show. At the end of his season, he got engaged to Cassie Randolph, but the two split in May 2020, and the split was somewhat volatile. He later came out as gay in April 2021.
While speaking to Andy, the 30-year-old admitted to often uploading and deleting Grinder, a dating app tailored to gay men and women. Colton also said he was "praying" and saw becoming "The Bachelor" as a form of "self conversation therapy."
"I've pretty much tried everything to be straight and it didn't work, and I just love being gay now," he said.