Bachelor in Paradise has officially begun, and all eyes are on queer queen Demi Burnett!
Previews for the sixth season of ABC‘s hit summer spin-off revealed the 24-year-old reality TV personality would shatter the franchise’s glass ceilings and explore a relationship with another woman on-camera — all while making Bachelor history!
On Monday night’s premiere episode, the blonde-haired beauty sat down with Bachelorette Hannah Brown to get (and give viewers) some clarity before diving headfirst into her next love affair.
Related: Gigi Hadid ‘Is Definitely Interested In’ ‘Bachelorette’ Star Tyler Cameron!
Speaking directly to her supportive gal pal, Burnett told Brown:
“I have been seeing someone. Plot twist, it happens to be a woman. I feel like I don’t have to proclaim I am gay, I am straight, I’m bisexual… I like who I like. It doesn’t matter who or what you are, it’s the person.”
Colton Underwood‘s ex goes on to explain the relationship, which started after The Bachelor and before BIP, isn’t exclusive. So, when the opportunity to go on Paradise arose, Demi decided to take it to help her sort through the feelings she’d been having.
Hannah Beast responds with her full support, reminding Burnett she’s a “fluid person” and it’s totally okay to lean into this part of her sexuality.
However, despite her usually jovial demeanor, it’s clear this whole experience has been tough on Demi. She dished:
“Experiencing all the different emotions that I have in getting to know myself better and getting to know what I want more, it’s been really confusing. It’s this constant indecisiveness in me, and I just feel the only way for me to truly know what I want and how I want to love and who I want to love, is if I try out Paradise. Maybe Paradise is what it’s gonna take for me to figure it out.”
Last night, we saw the Texas native attempt to “figure it out” with former Paradise star Derek Peth. Things have really begun to heat up between the pair, who ended their night making out together in the pool.
That’s right, gurl!
We know, we know. Didn’t the teaser show us that a woman would crash the beach in Mexico and steal Demi’s heart?!
Well, we’ve got a bit more time until that happens, and it doesn’t hurt to explore your options! No labels here, remember?
Related: Hannah Brown Speaks Out After Tyler Cameron Is Spotted With Gigi Hadid!
Brown continued to show support for her bestie while speaking to ET at ABC’s Television Critics Association summer press tour on Monday. Beaming, she told the outlet:
“I am proud of just how strong of a woman that she is, and how she is so brave to be able to kind of step into the unknown that the Bachelor franchise has never really put on display. She is being so courageous to tell her truth, and to show all different sides of who she is and what she believes loves is, and to be able to explore that.”
Referencing their taped conversation, the former Miss USA 2018 contestant added:
“I am glad that I was able to be able to be a part of that conversation and show my support and love for her, because I am supportive of whatever makes Demi happy.”
Long-time show host Chris Harrison also spoke with ET and weighed in on the producers’ decision to finally and fully document a same-sex romance on the show:
“It’s going to be taboo, and I’m not so naive as to think it’s going to be all positive, the fact that we’re doing this and we’re diving into this. I’m proud of Demi, I’m proud of our producers, I’m proud of the way we handled it. I think it’s great and it’s time. It’s more than time, but I’m glad that we’ve done it in the right way, very organically, allowing it to happen naturally.”
He added:
“We’re going to get backlash and I’m prepared for that. That’s just the world we live in, with social media and everything else. ‘You didn’t handle it right, you didn’t do it the right way.’ …Everyone’s going to have their spin on it, their perspective and how they want to see it. This is how we portrayed it, and I will stand behind it.”
Shortly after Demi’s romance was teased, a slew of critics took to social media to slam the poor girl AND the show for its “dangerous” portrayal of gay love.
Luckily, several members of Bachelor Nation spoke out in support of Burnett and her journey to find love!
Harrison continued to express his admiration for the brave reality TV starlet, but also hinted at a bit of conflict later down the line. He said:
“She’s the queen of Paradise. She’s the queen of any room she walks in. I love Demi… What you see with Demi is not what you get. She’s not bullet proof. She’s not a tank… she has that queen mentality, but she’s vulnerable and she has feelings too. So, I told her, ‘I’m there for you 24/7, if you need anything.'”
Thoughts, Perezcious readers? Are U loving Bachelor in Paradise so far?
Be sure to catch it when it airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
[Image via Bachelor In Paradise/ABC/YouTube]
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