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Logo’s Gay Bachelor: Contestants Say Producers Knew About Star’s Escort Past (Exclusive)

“If I wanted to date a hooker, I’d hire one,” one suitor tells TheWrap

Itay Hod | September 14, 2016 @ 8:23 PM Last Updated: September 15, 2016 @ 3:20 PM
Finding Prince Charming Contestant Says Producers Knew All About Gay Bachelor Escort Past

Logo

Multiple contestants on Logo TV’s gay “Bachelor”-like dating show, “Finding Prince Charming,” charge that show producers and network executives not only knew its leading man had worked as a male escort and appeared in a sex tape, they planned the entire scandal to drum up ratings for the ailing network.

One of the 13 suitors, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, insisted there is “no way” the network was unaware of the sketchy past of 33-year-old interior designer Robert Sepulveda Jr., as a Logo spokesperson claimed to TheWrap earlier this month.

“We all had to go through rigorous background checks for three weeks and another three days before the show even started taping,” he said.

“I don’t believe the network was blindsided. I don’t think anyone believes that,” another contestant, who also asked that his name not be used, told TheWrap.

Also Read: Logo's 'Gay Bachelor' Reality Show Scrambles Over Reveal of Star's Sex Worker Past

The first contestant said that he confronted Logo producers after recognizing Sepulveda from a sex tape he remembered seeing — the Prince Charming has since claimed an ex-boyfriend posted a private video without his permission.

“As soon as I left the house and got my phone back” — contestants’ phones were confiscated for the duration of the shoot — “I Googled ‘Robert Sepulveda’ and the words ‘sex tape’ and there it was,” he said. “Didn’t even need to scroll down.”

The network ignored TheWrap’s repeated questions about the vetting process nor did it explain how it missed Sepulveda’s past, which was seemingly available to anyone with an internet connection. Two emails to Sepulveda’s lawyer went unanswered.

Logo did send TheWrap the same statement it has previously sent: “We are aware of Robert’s past and fully support him as he moves forward in his search for love on ‘Finding Prince Charming.'” A person close to the situation told TheWrap earlier this month that the network followed “standard protocol” when vetting Sepulveda and that “nothing came up during the background check.”

Also Read: Logo's 'Gay Bachelor': Contestant Says He Got Fired From His Job After Show's Escort Scandal

The second suitor said that Logo “wanted to churn up some drama to get attention,” but believes the network never expected the backlash that followed. One contestant, dubbed Chad Aaron S. on Logo’s website, claimed last week he had been fired from his real estate job because “of the liability of my TV venture.”

“There are videos of Robert out there that are quite disgusting. Now I’m associated with him,” the second contestant said. “Try explaining that to your mother.”

Ironically, he said, the show’s contract specifically stipulated that cast members should not appear in sex tapes or naked pictures that show contestants’ faces.

The first suitor said he went on the show for the experience, but not of the kind that has now emerged. “If I wanted to date a hooker, I’d hire one,” he told TheWrap. “I’m beyond livid.”

Also Read: Logo's 'Gay Bachelor' Robert Sepulveda on Escort Past: 'Now I Can Talk About It Openly' (Video)

Many in the LGBT community have criticized Logo for its handling of its first same-sex dating show, which premiered last week and is hosted by former *NSYNC member Lance Bass.

“To call him ‘Prince Charming’ is a little reckless,” AIDS activist Tyler Curry told TheWrap. Gay news site Queerty noted its commenters were going “ballistic” about Seplveda’s casting, with some calling him “a disgrace to the community.”

Both contestants also dispute Sepulveda’s claims that he came clean about his past on the show — suggesting that he only opened up to a small group of people.

“We still haven’t taped the reunion show,” one contestant said. “He’s going to get a piece of my mind for sure.”

Gay Hollywood: 43 Out and Proud LGBT Stars (Photos)

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  • Ellen DeGeneres

    Ellen DeGeneres, talk show host, actress and comedian

  • jodie foster

    Jodie Foster, Oscar-winning actress and director

  • Zachary Quinto

    Zachary Quinto, actor and producer ("Star Trek")

  • Neil Patrick Harris the matrix nicholas cage The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

    Neil Patrick Harris, former "How I Met Your Mother" actor

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    Robin Roberts, "Good Morning America" anchor

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    Jane Lynch, former "Glee" actress and "Hollywood Game Night" host

  • jim parsons

    Jim Parsons, Emmy-winning actor in  "The Big Bang Theory"

  • raven symone

    Raven-Symoné, former "That's So Raven" star

  • guillermo diaz

    Guillermo Diaz, actor ("Scandal")

  • EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live at the Barker Hangar - Red Carpet - Maria Bello

    Maria Bello, "Prisoners" actress

  • sarah paulson

    Sarah Paulson, star of "American Horror Story"

  • Matt Bomer

    Matt Bomer, actor ("White Collar," "American Horror Story")

  • Cynthia Nixon

    Cynthia Nixon, former "Sex and the City" actress

  • Kristen Stewart Marvel

    Kristen Stewart, actress ("Twilight" series)

  • Holland Taylor

    Holland Taylor, former "Two and a Half Men" actress

  • adam lambert american idol

    Adam Lambert, singer and "American Idol" alum

  • Elton John

    Elton John, singer

  • Sara Gilbert

    Sara Gilbert, actress and producer of "The Conners"

  • Cheyenne Jackson

    Cheyenne Jackson, actor ("30 Rock," "American Horror Story")

  • colton haynes

    Colton Haynes, actor ("Teen Wolf," "Arrow")

  • Ellen Page Sundance

    Ellen Page, actress ("X-Men," "Juno")

  • Ben Whishaw (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

    Ben Whishaw, actor ("Spectre")

  • Wanda Sykes

    Wanda Sykes, actress and comedian

  • prison break wentworth miller michael scofield

    Wentworth Miller, "Prison Break" star

  • Rosie O'Donnell

    Rosie O'Donnell, actress and former talk show host

  • gty_portia_de_rossi_jc_150513_16x9_992

    Portia De Rossi, actress ("Scandal," "Arrested Development")

  • ricky martin

    Ricky Martin, singer

  • Lily Tomlin

    Lily Tomlin, comedian and actress ("Grace & Frankie")

  • sam smith oscars

    Sam Smith, Oscar-winning singer and songwriter

  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family" actor

  • Laverne Cox

    Laverne Cox, "Orange Is the New Black" star

  • Barry Manilow and Garry Kief

    Barry Manilow, singer

  • Amandla Stenberg

    Amandla Stenberg, actress ("Everything Everything")

  • daniela vega

    Daniela Vega, actress ("A Fantastic Woman")

  • George Takei

    George Takei, former "Star Trek" actor

  • ezra miller the flash

    Ezra Miller, "Justice League" actor

  • LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 16: Trainer Jillian Michaels attends Kickball For A Home - Celebrity Challenge presented by Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption at USC on August 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

    Jillian Michaels, "The Biggest Loser" coach

  • Sir Ian McKellen Beauty and the Beast

    Ian McKellen, actor in "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" franchises

  • Act of God Sean Hayes

    Sean Hayes, actor in "Will and Grace"

  • Taylor Schilling Orange Is the New Black LBGTQ

    Taylor Schilling, "Orange Is the New Black" actress

    Getty
  • Nikki Blonsky Hairspray LBGTQ

    Nikki Blonsky, actress in "Hairspray"

    Getty
  • meredith baxter

    Meredith Baxter, "Family Ties" actress

  • Ruby Rose

    Ruby Rose, "Orange Is the New Black" and "Batwoman" actress

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1 of 44

From actress Jane Lynch to actor Zachary Quinto to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, stars who serve as inspirations for Pride Month

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