Michael Rapaport Felt ‘Misunderstood’ And ‘Gaslit’ By Colton Underwood

Michael Rapaport is accustomed to controversy, having made headlines through the years for all the things from his feuds with “Actual Housewives” stars to his controversial tackle Hulk Hogan’s death. None, nevertheless, appears to have generated as a lot buzz because the outspoken determine’s current feud with Colton Underwood on season 4 of “The Traitors.” Throughout a recent episode, Rapaport squared off with Underwood in the course of the present’s intense roundtable dialogue, telling the “Bachelor” alum that “no one on this room can be higher at holding a secret than you.” Whereas many believed Rapaport’s remark was a dig at Underwood for his sexuality, which he spoke overtly about in April 2021, the “Metro” actor insists that could not be farther from the reality.

After Rapaport’s remark, Underwood retorted, suggesting that hiding his reality for a protracted portion of his life took a much bigger toll on him than folks understand. “You assume it was enjoyable for 29 years of my life?” he requested.

Talking with Entertainment Weekly concerning the state of affairs, nevertheless, Rapaport defended himself towards the “homophobic” reactions which have surfaced since that explosive scene aired. In keeping with him, his remark had “nothing to do” with Underwood’s sexuality.

In the course of the episode, Underwood signaled to the opposite contestants that he had his eyes on Rapaport as a possible Traitor—one thing that evidently made the daddy of two “defensive.”

“I believed that he was a Traitor, and I used to be riffing,” Rapaport stated. “I used to be going at him as a result of he was going at me, and I felt defensive, and I used to be doing my finest to deflect the entire consideration, which had been on me the earlier 4 roundtables.”

Rapaport defined that whereas he managed to outlive episodes 1-4, he was “aggravated” that he was being focused by Underwood.

“I used to be simply flowing, I used to be simply speaking,” he stated. “I used to be speaking about him being conniving, cowardly, and commiserating. These phrases are thrown round lots throughout this recreation: mendacity, secrets and techniques, dishonest, deceitful, betrayal.”

Rapaport’s feedback not solely stung Underwood however your complete solid, a majority of whom voted to banish him throughout episode 5.

Rapaport defined, nevertheless, that the phrase he used wasn’t directed solely on the “Coming Out Colton” star.

“And that was simply one of many phrases I used, and I might’ve used it in the direction of anyone that I felt was coming at me, however I really felt that he was a Traitor in that second. I used to be lifeless set that he was a Traitor,” Rapaport stated.

Persevering with, Rapaport defined that he “felt utterly misunderstood” and “gaslit” by his fellow solid members after they interpreted his feedback as a reference to Underwood’s sexuality.

“I felt that they did not perceive what I used to be saying. And I feel that if the dialog had caught to simply me and Colton, it would not have gotten to the extent that it obtained to, as a result of I really feel like I acknowledged it and apologized proper there,” he stated.

Rapaport maintained that he has no challenge with Underwood—regardless of their on-screen friction. He added that he really had “a good time” with the previous soccer participant within the Scottish fort. “However I did assume he was a Traitor. Simply issues obtained slightly bit out of hand,” Rapaport said.

Rapaport admitted he does “remorse” that his remark could have triggered Underwood, although.

“It clearly did offend him and another folks on the desk, and it induced and introduced detrimental consideration to his world and his younger household. It clearly introduced detrimental consideration to my life. It introduced detrimental consideration to the present, and it isn’t what my intention was,” he stated.