Colton Underwood

Colton Underwood (born January 26, 1992) is an American television personality and former professional football player who gained prominence through reality television entertainment. After playing college football for Illinois State University and attempting professional careers in the NFL and minor league baseball, Underwood transitioned to television. He appeared on ABC's dating reality show "The Bachelor" Season 23 (2019), where he became the first lead to publicly acknowledge his virginity, creating significant tabloid attention and viewer engagement. Following his season's conclusion, he competed on "Dancing with the Stars" Season 28, reaching the finals. However, Underwood's public profile transformed dramatically in March 2021 when he came out as gay in an interview with Robin Roberts, subsequently releasing a memoir titled "The First Time." His coming out became a significant moment in reality television and LGBTQ+ visibility, generating widespread media coverage and cultural conversation. Following his public revelation, Underwood pursued comedy tours and continued entertainment work while becoming an advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility. His journey from reality TV fame to authentic self-disclosure represents contemporary narratives about identity, public life, and personal authenticity in the age of social media.