Colton Underwood
Episode 8 Colton Underwood
In this fantastic episode of "Weddings-ish with Jove," we are thrilled to welcome Colton Underwood, a former professional football player turned TV personality and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He gained widespread recognition as a contestant on "The Bachelorette," Bachelor in Paradise, and later starred in his season of "The Bachelor." Colton's journey of self-discovery, including his public coming out, has inspired many and showcased the importance of authenticity and acceptance. We can't thank Colton's wedding team at Ashley Smith Events for connecting Jove + Colton for this amazing conversation!
Jove + Colton dives into his incredible wedding to husband Jordan in Napa Valley. Jove dives into all the thoughtful details of the fabulous wedding! Colton and his husband Jordan only dated briefly before deciding to spend forever together. Their stunning wedding, meticulously orchestrated by Ashley Smith's exceptional team, unfolded over three unforgettable days in the picturesque setting of Napa Valley. Drawn by their mutual passion for wine and the breathtaking California climate, Napa was the perfect choice!
So many thoughtful details made their wedding so deeply touching + personal. Jove highlights the exquisite floral arrangements envisioned by Jordan, affectionately dubbed a "groomzilla," and expertly brought to fruition by the incredibly talented team at Duet Botanical. It was essential for Colton to pay homage to queer people who paved the way for them to be able to get married. In a beautiful tribute, a 200-yard pathway leading guests to the reception used the photographs from "The Loving Book' "interwoven with love letters from queer couples throughout history and highlighting the existence of queer relationships throughout history. For many attending Colton's wedding, it was their first time attending a same-sex wedding, and having them sign his copy of "The Loving Book" as their guestbook was extraordinary.
Jove asks Colton about the choices they made for their wedding. Colton and Jordan walked down the aisle together, and they also honored family members by having them make their own entrances, dogs included!
Jove gets the scoop on Colton's proposal, counter-proposal, and their choice of necklaces for their engagement. Colton shares the profound significance of the number 9 to him and Jordan that they integrated into their jewelry. Colton also shares why he and his husband gave each other cufflinks. While Colton got engaged soon after coming out, he talks to Jove about "dating with intention" and obviously pursuing his husband on a trip to P-Town! After his very public romantic life, Colton kept things private while dating Jordan long distance between California and Colorado.
“Being gay made me a better Christian.”
Colton on his faith and coming out
Jove asks about Colton's reality TV experience on "The Bachelorette," Bachelor in Paradise, and The Bachelor. Colton no longer can drink white wine and certainly did not include roses in his wedding flowers! Filming days were long and often spanned from 8 am- 3 am, with evening dates usually starting at 11:30 pm. Colton delves into more reality TV production realities with Jove, and it turns out that many of the rumors are true!
Jove + Colton playfully talk about how to integrate queer culture into the traditionally heterosexual format. Colton and Jove brainstormed how to best infuse gay culture into this historically hetero dating show concept! They delve into reality dating shows and how they would improve them. Bachelor nation, call us!
Jove takes a deep dive into Colton's coming-out journey. Significant influences in not coming out sooner encompassed his football career, religious beliefs, and his profound longing for fatherhood. Together, they reflect on their paths to embracing their true selves and uncovering their sexual identities, with Colton sharing his own experiences and insights. While Colton never feared God, he says he felt a real fear of his religious community. Colton believes that his God leads with love. He has luckily found a new and accepting religious queer community. Jove reflects on his experience planning a wedding at the only queer church in NYC and how that was extremely meaningful to him. They speak on the importance of representing different and unique couples within their community, namely the gay couple in "The Last of Us."
Colton + Jove talk about male fertility and the surrogacy process, something that Colton shares very openly in his own podcast, "Daddyhood." Colton had his fertility struggles and shares with our audience what fertility rehabilitation looks like for males. He and his husband have taken 1-2 years to start their family and are genuinely excited for the potential of this next chapter. Be sure to tune in if you want to hear more about his journey HERE!
Jove asks Colton some amazing questions, like what would surprise us about him. You'll be super surprised to hear that Colton is a gamer! He also talks about coming out to his family and how supportive they were, including some unseen footage that never aired as he came out to his grandma, who said she "was just waiting for him."
As for current projects outside of fatherhood, Colton is working on a sports documentary to bridge the gap in America. Colton sees sports as a great unifier among a deeply divided nation.
LISTEN NOW!