Juan Pablo Galavis is under fire for saying that gays shouldn’t be allowed on The Bachelor. In a recent interview with The TV Page, the single dad said that while he respects same-sex couples, he doesn’t think “it is a good example for kids to watch that on TV.”
“Obviously people have their husband and wife and kids and that is how we are brought up. Now there is fathers having kids and all that, and it is hard for me to understand that too in the sense of a household having peoples… Two parents sleeping in the same bed and the kid going into bed… It is confusing in a sense. But I respect them because they want to have kids. They want to be parents. So it is a scale… Where do you put it on the scale? Where is the thin line to cross or not? You have to respect everybody’s desires and way of living. But it would be too hard for TV,” Juan Pablo revealed on Friday.
The former soccer player also added, “There’s this thing about gay people — it seems to be, I don’t know if I’m mistaken or not — I have a lot of friends like that, but they’re more pervert in a sense.”
Juan Pablo’s anti-gay comments drew massive criticism and disapproval not only from the gay and lesbian community (just check out the comments on his Facebook page) but from ABC and Warner Horizon Television, the company behind The Bachelor, as well.
“Juan Pablo’s comments were careless, thoughtless and insensitive, and in no way reflect the views of the network, the show’s producers or studio,” the network and production company said in a joint statement Saturday.
Shortly after, The Bachelor star issued a public apology, asserting that his words were taken out of context.
“I want to apologize to all the people I may have offended because of my comments on having a Gay or Bisexual Bachelor. The comment was taken out of context. If you listen to the entire interview, there’s nothing but respect for Gay people and their families. I have many gay friends and one of my closest friends who’s like a brother has been a constant in my life especially during the past 5 months. The word pervert was not what I meant to say and I am very sorry about it. Everyone knows English is my second language and my vocabulary is not as broad as it is in Spanish and, because of this, sometimes I use the wrong words to express myself. What I meant to say was that gay people are more affectionate and intense and for a segment of the TV audience this would be too racy to accept. The show is very racy as it is and I don’t let my 5 year old daughter watch it. Once again, I’m sorry for how my words were taken. I would never disrespect anyone,” Juan Pablo wrote on his Facebook page.
Despite Juan Pablo’s apology, some people remain displeased including Krisily Kennedy, a bisexual who competed for Charlie O’Connell on The Bachelor season 7 before joining the first season of Bachelor Pad.
“Never missed a season of the bachelor & won’t be watching this 1 can’t get behind someone that thinks me having kids sets a bad example,” Krisily Kennedy tweeted.
On the other hand, not everyone from The Bachelor nation is against Juan Pablo. Mikey Tenerelli and James Case, his fellow contestants who competed for Desiree Hartsock on The Bachelorette season 9, already stood up for the Venezuelan love searcher.
“I spent four weeks with Juan Pablo in the mansion and shared a room with him. We had lots off-camera conversations,” Mikey Tenerelli told E! News. “He’s an extremely accepting person that loves everyone. He would often tell me that the translation issue was hard on him. There would be times when he would pull me aside and explain that he didn’t fully understand what we were all talking about. He’s insecure about it and it makes him nervous. But he doesn’t stereotype and he doesn’t hate against groups. He’s very loving.”
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with Juan Pablo yet, but I know my friend,” James Case revealed to E! News. “He’s a beautiful person and has a good heart. In this situation, you’re dealing with someone who isn’t used to being in the limelight and having their words picked apart. His daughter is his world and he’s very protective of her and I think, in trying to express that and his English being what it is, things got misconstrued.”
What do you think of Juan Pablo’s interview? Do you think his comments were offensive?
The Bachelor season 18 airs every Monday at 8pm on ABC.
Want more updates on The Bachelor? Download the BuddyTV App!
(Image courtesy of ABC)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
