Colton Underwood has lived a lot of lives in front of a camera. He was the All-American football player. Then he was the "Virgin Bachelor." Now, he’s an out gay man navigating the messy intersection of reality TV fame and personal privacy. But if you’ve spent any time on the weirder corners of the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the searches for Colton Underwood naked popping up like crazy. It’s not just about some random thirst trap, though.
Honestly, the story behind those searches is actually kind of dark. It involves blackmail, a secret trip to a spa, and a high-fashion photoshoot that basically served as his "I’m here, I’m queer" announcement to the world.
The Blackmail That Changed Everything
Before Colton sat down with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America in 2021, he was spiraling. Hard. He later admitted to Variety that he’d hit rock bottom. During that time, he visited a gay spa in Los Angeles. He said he was just there "to look," but it didn't matter. Shortly after, an anonymous person emailed him.
They claimed to have Colton Underwood naked photos taken at the spa.
👉 See also: Kanye West Black Head Mask: Why Ye Stopped Showing His Face
The threat was simple: pay up or get outed to the press. Imagine the panic. You're the face of a heteronormative dating franchise, and someone is holding your most private moments over your head. This wasn't some planned PR move. It was a crisis. Instead of paying, Colton forwarded the email to his publicist. That moment—the fear of those photos going public—is basically what forced his hand to come out on his own terms. He didn't want a tabloid to tell his story for him.
That Damon Baker Photoshoot
Once the news was out, Colton didn't exactly shy away from the spotlight. In July 2021, he teamed up with famed photographer Damon Baker for a series of black-and-white shots that broke the internet for a minute.
If you were looking for Colton Underwood naked back then, these photos were the closest thing to an official "reveal." He wasn't wearing much. In some shots, it was just a leather jacket and some cross earrings. In others, he was strategically covered, but the vibe was definitely "gritty and raw."
✨ Don't miss: Nicole Kidman with bangs: Why the actress just brought back her most iconic look
It was a far cry from the clean-cut, polo-shirt-wearing guy we saw on The Bachelor. He even shared his grandma’s reaction to the racy pics on his Instagram story. She basically told him she liked "clean-cut Colton" better but acknowledged the photos were "art." You've gotta love a blunt Nana.
The Reality of "Coming Out Colton"
When his Netflix series Coming Out Colton dropped, people expected it to be a tell-all. While the show dealt with his past—including the very serious stalking allegations and restraining order involving his ex, Cassie Randolph—it also focused heavily on his body image.
Colton has been open about the pressure of being an athlete. Locker rooms are notoriously homophobic. You're taught to be a certain kind of "manly." For Colton, showing his body was always part of the job, but it wasn't until he came out that he felt like he actually owned it.
🔗 Read more: Kate Middleton Astro Chart Explained: Why She Was Born for the Crown
- He talked about "hookups" (but not sex) prior to the show.
- He addressed the "Virgin Bachelor" label as a shield he used to hide his identity.
- He admitted to prioritizing his mental and physical health in a way he never did while closeted.
Why People Are Still Searching
Look, the internet is what it is. People search for Colton Underwood naked because he’s a high-profile guy with a pro-athlete physique. But there’s also a level of curiosity about his transition from a conservative "Bachelor" icon to a gay man who is comfortable in his own skin.
He's currently appearing on The Traitors (as of early 2026), and the scrutiny hasn't stopped. Some fans still haven't forgiven him for the Cassie Randolph situation—rightfully so, many would argue. Others see him as a symbol of how much the "jock" culture still needs to change.
The Bottom Line
There aren't "leaked" tapes or anything like that floating around that have been verified. Most of the buzz comes from that 2021 photoshoot and the blackmail story. Colton has basically reclaimed his image. He went from being terrified of a hidden camera at a spa to posing for one of the most famous fashion photographers in the world.
If you’re following his journey, the takeaway isn't about the lack of clothes. It's about the fact that he's no longer running. Whether you like him or not, he’s living his life out loud now.
What to do next:
If you're interested in the intersection of sports and identity, check out Colton's interviews on the Call Her Daddy podcast where he goes into way more detail about locker room culture. You can also watch Coming Out Colton on Netflix to see the actual footage of him telling his family the truth.