“Bachelor in Paradise” contestant Brendan Morais apologized to co-star Natasha Parker after being dragged by fans for how she handled her relationship with Pieper James.
“After taking time to start processing the events that unfolded over the past few days, I realized I was wrong on so many different levels,” she wrote in a statement posted Wednesday on her Instagram Story.
Morais, 31, began his mea culpa by addressing a controversial photo he posted of himself in a pool on Monday with the caption “Here for the Wrong Reasons,” which apparently brought the drama to light. which he had caused in the program.
“I deleted my last post from my feed,” he wrote. “I published it before the episode aired and I had no idea how much pain I caused. My approach to many things in life is sarcasm. In that case, it was totally insensitive to my post. “
Morais also apologized to Parker, 33, after Monday’s episode revealed that he felt he had misled him into exploring a relationship until James’ arrival.
“The most important thing is that I apologize to you Natasha. I hurt you. I’m sorry to do that, “he wrote. “I understand the damage is already done and all I can do next is acknowledge the mistake of my ways.”
Parker, meanwhile, addressed the episode on his Instagram Story on Wednesday, saying he had lost sleep and felt “stupid” and “used.”
In his message, Morais addressed the fans and said, “For those of you who felt that my actions provoked certain feelings and emotions, I am very sorry.”
Morais also vaguely commented on fan theories that he and James, 24, had some sort of relationship before the show, writing, “Although Pieper and I had misunderstandings about going to paradise (and I can’t stress it enough ) – If you feel the need to express contempt for the situation, do it in my charge. I am completely guilty. “
The duo dropped viewers when James asked Morais for a date while he was paired with Parker on Monday’s ABC hit episode. He and James were also scammed for bragging about their social media followers in the episode.
Morais and James later lost thousands of followers on Instagram, while Parker gained followers.
Earlier this week, James defended his actions, insinuating that the producers had edited his words to create drama.
“Just one [sic] a gentle reminder that reality TV is not real, “he wrote on his Instagram Story on Tuesday.” An edited, produced and reduced program will not show you everything you have said and done. An edited and produced program cannot show you conversations. that had happened before filming with friends. “
“Bachelor in Paradise” airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 pm ET on ABC.