Author: Jackie Strause / Source: The Hollywood Reporter
A Bachelorette contestant is responding to sexual harassment claims that were circulated on social media by another franchise alum.
“There have been some recent stories about me that have garnered attention and I want to address them,” wrote Leo Dottavio in a statement posted to his Instagram story on Friday. “I want to start by saying no one has ever accused me of sexual harassment.
No one has ever come to me in any way and told me I made them feel uncomfortable. However, I am not a perfect person nor have I ever claimed to be.”Dottavio, a Hollywood stuntman who made it to the top six finalists on Becca Kufrin’s season of The Bachelorette (which airs its finale on Monday), most recently appeared on The Bachelorette: Men Tell All and will also appear on the upcoming summer spinoff Bachelor in Paradise, as is shown in the ABC trailer.
Bekah Martinez, a memorable contestant from Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s season of The Bachelor, took to her Instagram account on Aug. 2 to share a series of anonymous claims she has received from other women about Dottavio. On her Instagram story, which she has kept live as one of her Highlight videos, Martinez posted multiple screenshots from different women who have reached out to her claiming that Dottavio has allegedly harassed them or made unwanted sexual advances in the past. Martinez said she discovered the first claim from a show Reddit page.
“I am not a perfect person nor have I ever claimed to be,” Dottavio continued in his statement. “Did I do things in college that I would be embarrassed about now? Absolutely. Was I a part of my culture, the times, movies? Yes. I have grown as a person since college. I am not the man I was two years ago, let alone 14 years ago.”
Adding, “It’s important for women to speak out if they felt uncomfortable or harassed. I support that. If there was…
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