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A Change.org petition calling for Netflix to cancel its reported series on former Bachelor star Colton Underwood, who recently announced he was gay, is nearing 20,000 signatures as of Sunday.
The focus of the campaign, started by user Anonymous N, centers on allegations that Underwood harassed Cassie Randolph, his final pick on the popular ABC reality TV show The Bachelor—not the fact that he came out as a gay man.
"Colton is a former bachelor lead who stalked his final pick, Cassie Randolph," the petition's description read. "He placed a tracker on her car, sent her and her friends anonymous threatening texts, and was even seen standing outside her window extremely late in the night, resulting in her brother attempting to de-escalate the situation.
"Cassie is a victim of Colton's abuse, and he does not deserve a platform in any way. Regardless of his sexuality, Colton should not be given a platform as a result of his abusive, manipulative, and dangerous behavior," the description further added.
As of Sunday evening, the Change.org petition has garnered 19,731 signatures since it launched four days ago.
In an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America this past Wednesday, Underwood, who appeared on The Bachelor season 23 in 2019, said that he is gay.
"I've ran from myself for a long time," he said, as reported by People magazine. "I've hated myself for a long time, and I'm gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it. The next step in all of this was letting people know. I'm still nervous. It's been a journey, for sure."
On The Bachelor, Underwood gave the final rose to Randolph. Both of them did not get engaged, and they announced their breakup in May 2020. A few months after the split, Randolph reportedly filed a temporary restraining order against Underwood, alleging that he stalked and harassed her. She accused him of putting a tracking device in her car and showing up to her apartment in Los Angeles uninvited.
The restraining order was eventually dropped, People reported in November. In a statement to the outlet, Underwood said: "Today Cassie asked the court to dismiss the temporary restraining order against me. The two of us were able to reach a private agreement to address any of Cassie's concerns. I do not believe Cassie did anything wrong in filing for the restraining orders and also believe she acted in good faith. I appreciate everyone's respect for privacy regarding this matter."
In the Good Morning America interview, Underwood further reflected on his former relationship with Randolph: "I made mistakes in the end of that relationship. And I ruined the good memories we had by my actions and what I did to hold on to being straight, because I didn't want to look myself in the mirror. So for that, I'm extremely, extremely sorry."
Randolph posted an Instagram story Friday and expressed her thanks to "everyone for all the kind comments and messages," her first public remarks since Underwood's announcement via Good Morning America.
Variety reported that Underwood will be starring in his own Netflix series that focuses on his life as a gay man, sources have told the outlet. There are no details about when the series will air, but a source told Variety that filming has been underway.
Newsweek reached out to Netflix for comment.
