Colton Underwood Addresses Michael Rapaport's Controversial Comment on 'The Traitors' Amid Accusations of Homophobia

Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport stirred controversy during the latest episode of The Traitors US season 3 on Peacock, when he suggested to openly gay cast member Colton Underwood that "nobody in this room would be better at holding a secret than you"during a pivotal roundtable discussion.

The comment came after Underwood accused Rapaport of being a Traitor, prompting Rapaport to defend himself by linking Underwood's perceived secrecy to his gameplay. Underwood, a former NFL player and star of The Bachelor season 23 in 2019, immediately interpreted the remark as a reference to his sexuality, replying, “There it is. You think it was fun for 29 years of my life? ”

Underwood publicly came out as gay in April 2021 during an appearance on Good Morning America, two years after seeking a wife on The Bachelor while still closeted. He has since married his husband, Jordan C. Brown, and they share a son named Bishop.

Fellow contestants, including openly gay figure skater Johnny Weir, quickly defended Underwood, with Rapaport clarifying, "I’m not talking about closets! His behavior is of a traitor. His behavior is secretive, it’s conniving, it’s chirping, it’s commiserating, it’s cowardly." Despite the clarification, the group voted to banish Rapaport from the game, with some admitting the decision was influenced by discomfort regardless of his role as Faithful or Traitor.

Viewers widely criticized Rapaport online, labeling the comment homophobic and accusing him of invoking Underwood's closeted past inappropriately. Following his banishment, Rapaport apologized on the show, stating, "I meant what I meant within the context of the game. It had nothing to do with his sexuality. I really, sincerely apologize if I offended Colton or anybody in the house. That absolutely wasn’t the intention."

In a January 16, 2026, interview with Entertainment Weekly, Underwood opened up about the emotional impact, describing the remark as a "personal dig at my past"that re-triggered feelings from his coming-out process. He noted, "The coming-out process takes a long time, and there are things that continue to re-trigger old emotions, "emphasizing that he believes Rapaport knew the implication but does not feel like a victim.

Underwood accepted Rapaport's apology, stating, "I’m not holding a grudge against him, but I do think it’s important for me in my life at this point to start standing up for myself. I can only be a punching bag for so long." He highlighted ongoing fan comments as a reason to speak out, framing it as part of his personal growth post-coming out.

Rapaport told TMZ on January 16, 2026, that he spoke with Underwood right after filming, describing a "great man to man conversation"with no lingering issues: "I like him and wish him and his family the best." Underwood confirmed they exchanged words kept private for now, anticipating further discussion at the reunion.

The exchange underscores sensitivities for LGBTQ+ individuals like Underwood, whose pre-coming-out life on shows like The Bachelor involved heightened scrutiny, including a briefly filed and dropped restraining order by ex Cassie Randolph in 2020 amid personal turmoil. Community responses, as seen in PinkNews coverage and social media, emphasize the need for awareness of how past secrets tied to sexuality can resurface harmfully in competitive settings. Underwood's response models resilience, prioritizing self-advocacy while fostering reconciliation.