Colton Underwood

Colton Underwood is an American television personality, former professional football player, and LGBTQ+ advocate who gained national fame as the star of Season 23 of ABC’s “The Bachelor.” Born on January 26, 1992, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Underwood grew up in Washington, Illinois, and was a standout football player at Illinois State University before pursuing a career in the NFL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Chargers in 2014 and had brief stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders before leaving professional football.

Underwood first entered the reality television world as a contestant on Season 14 of “The Bachelorette” featuring Becca Kufrin in 2018, followed by an appearance on “Bachelor in Paradise.” His likable personality and the revelation that he was a virgin at age 26 made him a standout contestant and led to his selection as the lead for Season 23 of “The Bachelor” in 2019. His season became one of the most dramatic and talked-about in the show’s history, particularly for the iconic moment when he jumped a fence during filming.

In April 2021, Underwood publicly came out as gay in an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, making him the first openly gay Bachelor lead. This announcement was a significant cultural moment and sparked important conversations about sexuality, identity, and the pressures of reality television. He subsequently starred in a Netflix reality series called “Coming Out Colton” in 2021, which documented his journey of self-acceptance and coming out to his family and friends.

Underwood has since become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness. He married his partner Jordan C. Brown in 2023 after a period of dating that began in 2021. His estimated net worth of $3 million comes from his television appearances, his brief NFL career, his memoir “The First Time” published in 2020, paid partnerships, and public speaking engagements. While his net worth is modest compared to some reality TV stars, his cultural impact and advocacy work have given him a platform that extends well beyond entertainment.