‘Bachelorette’ JoJo Fletcher on Chad’s Violent Episode: ‘It Scares Me’
Suitor Chad Johnson threatened fellow contestant Evan Bass, becoming increasingly hostile throughout the third week’s episode
Beatrice Verhoeven | June 7, 2016 @ 2:30 PM
Last Updated: June 7, 2016 @ 10:13 PM
ABC
Last night’s episode of “The Bachelorette” got extremely intense incredibly fast when contestant Chad Johnson became violent toward another contestant and disrespected bachelorette JoJo Fletcher.
The episode provoked a furor on social media among fans who muttered their hatred toward the real estate agent. For her part, Fletcher addressed the episode in one of her weekly blog posts for People, explaining what she thought happened after suitor Evan Bass took the stage to perform some standup comedy.
During the set, Bass slyly accused Johnson of using steroids. When he walked back to his seat, Johnson appeared to grab Bass by the shirt, ripping it and thrusting Bass backwards.
“[Chad] was clearly upset by what Evan said up there on stage,” Fletcher wrote. “I didn’t realize that everything Evan was saying was about Chad … So when Chad stepped up there, he was angry. And now, watching it back, I understand why. But that doesn’t excuse what happened when they left the stage.
“Watching it back now, it scares me,” Fletcher continued. “I had no idea what was happening back stage with the guys. I do know that violence is never the answer. Putting your hands on someone else is never the way to resolve conflict. And boy was that some conflict.”
In the episode, Johnson explained that Bass had pushed him as they were both squeezing down the same row after Bass’ performance — Johnson was walking to the stage, while Bass was climbing back into his seat, conveniently located next to Johnson. But backstage, Johnson punched a door and threatened Bass, prompting other men to step in.
“No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake it,” Fletcher added. “After speaking with Chad, I was SO confused. I mean, obviously Chad can be intimidating, but maybe there was truth to what he was saying? At this point, I hadn’t seen what the other men had been experiencing except for the little scuffle in the seats of the theater.”
But the animosity didn’t stop there. During a group date, Bass issued Fletcher an ultimatum — either he goes, or Johnson goes, explaining that he couldn’t stay in the house as long as the violence persisted. However, Fletcher couldn’t decide and offered Bass a rose, which visibly shocked Johnson, prompting him to ask her, “You’re seriously vibing this guy right now?”
“Never in a million years did I expect what happened next,” she said about that moment. “Seeing that side of Chad after I handed Evan the rose was really upsetting. And, to be honest, I was really questioning Chad and his motives.”
Monday’s episode left off with Bass asking host Chris Harrison to step in because he felt that the newly implemented security guards at the mansion weren’t enough protection. The exchange ended with Harrison asking Johnson to figure out a way to end the animosity — but something tells us he didn’t quite understand what Harrison meant.
After all, the previews for Tuesday’s episode show Johnson lashing out at someone — or something — while Bass is bleeding.
Watch tonight’s episode of “The Bachelorette” at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
11 Biggest 'Bachelorette' Villains You Love to Hate (Photos)
Here are the biggest villains from previous seasons of "The Bachelorette."
ABC
Chad Johnson, Season 12 We're only in Week 2 of the current season, but Chad has already established himself as the villain. He's aggressive, doesn't care about the other men in the house, and in last week's episode, he called JoJo "naggy." He also ended a toast with, "F--- you guys, I’m gonna make her my wife.” Classy.
ABC
JJ Lane, Season 11 Well, for starters, he coined the phrase, "villains gotta vill" with Clint Arlis. He became the most hated man in the house when he stole Kaitlyn Bristowe away from the other men, although he had already secured a rose. Then, there's this lovely quote: "More than anything I’m feeling just smugness wrapped inside of cockiness wrapped inside of confidence wrapped inside ‘I just talked to the girl and you didn’t.'" That's the dating version of a Thanksgiving turducken.
ABC
Ian Thompson, Season 11 Thompson famously blasted Kaitlyn Bristowe for being "shallow," when he was clearly so full of himself. He left the show by saying, "I need to have sex." Good luck with that.
ABC
Kalon McMahon, Season 8 He called Emily Maynard's daughter "baggage." The moment wasn't caught on camera, but other contestants let Maynard know and McMahon was promptly sent home. He is not winning the Stepdad of the Year Award.
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Justin Rego, Season 7 This guy also had a girlfriend back home when he tried to fight for Ali Fedotowsky's heart, but he literally ran away when she tried to confront him about it.
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Joe Bailey, Season 11 He didn't really spark controversy during his time on "The Bachelorette," but what he pulled on "Bachelor in Paradise" is worth mentioning. He famously dumped single-mom Juelia Kinney to stay in the competition for Samantha Steffen, with whom he had talked to before the show and told her he would do anything to stay until she arrived.
ABC
Juan Pablo Galavis, Season 9 Galavis was considered the hottie of Desiree Hartsock's season and didn't make bad headlines until he became the "The Bachelor." He stunned the world during his overnight date with Andi Dorfman, where she accused him of only talking about himself, not wanting to learn more about her, and boasting about his overnight date with Clare Crawley. And she told him she would "die" if she heard him say "it's OK" one more time.
ABC
Ben Scott, Season 9 Ben started his war against other contestants vying for the heart of Desiree Hartsock during the premiere when he brought his son to the cocktail party. Then, he would often swoop in on other people's one-on-one time. After he was eliminated, his true colors came out when he asked the producers on camera when he could be seen out with other women.
ABC
Wes Hayden, Season 5 This guy was famous for saying he was the "first guy on 'The Bachelorette' to ever make it to the Top 4 with a girlfriend.” Indeed, he was accused of only coming onto the show to promote his music while his girlfriend stayed at home.
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Dave Good, Season 5 He didn't have a girlfriend at home and didn't diss Jillian Harris, but instead he drank a lot and became increasingly aggressive, especially towards fellow contestant Juan Barbieri.
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Nick Viall, Season 11 After he blasted Andi Dorfman during "After the Final Rose" for sleeping with him (that's just not something you talk about), he begged to come onto Kaitlyn Bristowe's season midway through, much to the anger of other contestants.
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Chad Johnson has already been established as the Season 12 villain, but these former contestants on ABC’s dating show have set a very low bar for bad behavior
Here are the biggest villains from previous seasons of "The Bachelorette."