The Bachelor

There's a photo circulating trying to pin Colton Underwood as a non-virgin long before his reign on "The Bachelor" ... but, rest assured, he hadn't swiped his v-card before his reality TV debut.

Sources close to Colton tell TMZ ... the Snapchat photo of a young Colton is legit. We're told Colton admits the person is him from YEARS before he set foot in the 'Bachelor' franchise. But, our Colton sources are making it clear -- the caption is ONE MILLION PERCENT FAKE.

For those who still use Snapchat (clearly not you, Kylie) it's not that hard to grab anyone's picture, make up a caption, screenshot the post and then spread it like wildfire across various social media platforms. That's exactly what our Colton sources say went down.

The fake Snapchat post started circulating earlier this week ... adding fuel to the conspiracy theory shared by a small, but vocal group of dissenters who think Colton's v-card act is total BS.

Our Colton sources are adamant -- the ex-NFL athlete was as pure as Mary (yeah, THAT one) before starting his reality TV run. Emphasis on before.

It's unclear if he went the distance while shooting 'Bachelor.'

Caelynn Miller-Keyes -- one of the remaining contestants on "The Bachelor" vying for Colton Underwood's love -- became the first to ever share her #MeToo story on the show ... and it was extremely emotional.

Caelynn was on a one-on-one date with Colton on Monday night's episode when she decided to open up ... telling him she was sexually assaulted when she was a sophomore in college in 2014, after attending a frat party with 3 girlfriends.

She said ... "They drugged our wine. I woke up the next morning and I was completely naked in my bed and had no memory of the night before. And, I had like a small vision of a guy in my bed, and I just had this pit in my stomach like something really bad happened last night."

The former Miss USA runner-up added that her friend called her the next day and told her all 3 of them were sexually assaulted by various men ... and they all got away with it except for one student who was expelled.

Colton expressed his deep sympathy, calling what happened to Caelynn "devastating."

Caelynn, who was crowned Miss North Carolina 2018, opened up about being a sexual assault survivor last year ... but Monday's convo with Colton was the first time he learned about it.

Miller-Keyes added the aftermath of the assault was horrible, as she was initially denied a rape kit by a hospital and had to go to another one. She said the whole experience was "so painful and it screws up every ounce of you."

Caelynn is one of 13 women remaining on Colton's season.

"The Bachelor" contestant Cristy Caserta died as a result of an enlarged heart and an overactive thyroid ... TMZ has learned.

According to the autopsy report, obtained by TMZ, Caserta's cause of death was cardiomegaly and hyperthyroidism. As we reported ... Caserta was only 38 when she died suddenly back in October after suffering an apparent seizure.

She was attending a class at a school in Sunrise, FL when she just fell forward at the desk where she was sitting. Caserta went into cardiac arrest and was shortly thereafter pronounced dead.

'Bachelor' stars and soon-to-be husband and wife Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren Burnham appear to be real hands-on for their wedding ... as in, not letting anyone else put their hands on her dress.

The couple were spotted a few days ago at the Kahului Airport in Hawaii with their luggage, including a white wedding dress bag. It's clear there are some items just too important to let out of their sight.

Arie and Lauren are set to get married Saturday at Haiku Mill in Maui, nearly a year after he proposed to her on the 'After the Final Rose' episode. Of course, this came after he proposed to Becca on the season finale ... but changed his mind and begged for Lauren back.

The 2 are also expecting their first child together -- a girl -- so they have more than just their nuptials to celebrate.

Colton Underwood is carrying himself like a man who just released a huge weight from his shoulders -- or maybe from somewhere else -- because he says the conversation surrounding his virginity will soon shift.

We got the 'Bachelor' star Wednesday at LAX, and you gotta see his reaction when our camera guy asks if he's fed up with the endless virgin talk surrounding him. Safe to say Colton is an expert in being coy.

It's easy to see why Colton might be tired of getting his sexual purity constantly shoved in his face ... as you know, the virgin jokes quickly became a tired gag during this week's season premiere.

Check out the clip ... Colton doesn't explicitly tell us he's finally swiped his v-card, but you gotta hear his explanation for the spring in his step.

Kinda makes ya wonder, doesn't it?

Colton Underwood admires women who fake it for love.

We got the 'Bachelor' star in WeHo heading into Boa and asked about Bri Barnes, who greeted him on the show with a fake Aussie accent. Colton thinks the move was fantastic ... deceptive, maybe, but deliciously so.

Our photog couldn't help expressing concern for the famed virgin, cautioning that people on the set needed to have his back in case he dove headfirst into the sea of love.

Colton Underwood just swerved REAL hard on the big v-question that everyone wants to know.

The 'Bachelor' star was out Tuesday in NYC and was asked about finding love and whether or not he finally lost his virginity. Colton's sex life has been a major focus of his storyline after he revealed he was still a virgin during "The Bachelorette."

The owners of the mansion used by "The Bachelor" are taking extreme measures to make sure their property won't be hit by gutless thieves looting homes damaged in the devastating SoCal wildfires ... they're hiring armed guards to protect against ransacking.

Sources tell TMZ ... the mansion owners are using several armed security guards who are working around the clock to ward off looters.

There's been a serious issue with looting in neighborhoods ravaged by the Woolsey Fire. Most homeowners haven't returned to their houses, and security systems are down because of power outages, so looters are taking advantage.

We're told the main house used in "The Bachelor" survived the fire ... but a 4,000 square foot structure on the property used as a base camp for show producers was torched. Pool equipment also burned.

There is some good news for 'Bachelor' fans ... we're told the mansion is in good enough shape to continue providing a backdrop for the show.

More than 300 law enforcement officers have been dispatched to secure evacuation zones in L.A. and Ventura County, but the owners of the 'Bachelor' pad clearly aren't taking any chances.

Former 'Bachelor' Chris Soules just copped an incredibly sweet plea in his fatal car crash, and it means he's no longer facing a felony ... but he could still end up doing time.

Soules entered a guilty plea Tuesday in Iowa's Buchanan County to one count of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident ... an aggravated misdemeanor.

He had initially pled not guilty to a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and unsuccessfully tried to get the charge dismissed.

According to prosecutors, Soules rear-ended a John Deere tractor and sent it and its driver flying into a ditch. He stuck around until EMTs arrived, but left before cops got there. He insisted he did everything he could to help the other driver, who eventually died.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Soules attorney testified his client suffered a concussion during the accident, but still called 911 and administered CPR before paramedics got there.

He was later arrested at his house, but allegedly refused to come out at first. Cops say they found alcoholic beverages in his car that were either empty or partially consumed. Prosecutors argued Chris failed to provide a proper explanation for the booze.

In docs, Soules' lawyer says all on-scene witnesses agreed there was no indication Soules had been drinking.

Say this for famed virgin Colton Underwood, America's next 'Bachelor' knows his way around first base ... just look at his mile-high make out!

We've obtained footage of Colton and one of his suitors on a super cute one-on-one date Monday at the Denver Milk Market ... which is really interesting because they're in Colton's hometown.

Check out the clip ... Colton and his date have great chemistry ... holding hands, flirting and kissing as they shop for pasta, salmon and wine. They were also spotted playing corn hole. Take notes, fellas. Pretty solid date.

It's the first time we've seen Colton in public since the start of filming ... and it looks like he's taking a page from Rachel Lindsay's book.

The mystery girl is one of the lucky ones ... she's clearly made it deep into the season.

Colton's family lives just outside of Denver ... so we're guessing he might be bringing this one home. Gotta run it by the parents before potentially losing your v-card, right?!?

Former 'Bachelor' contestant Amanda Stanton is now officially charged in her Las Vegas domestic violence case, and she's pled not guilty ... TMZ has learned.

Amanda's attorney entered her plea Wednesday in the Clark County courthouse after she was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery. We broke the story when she got busted last month following an argument with her BF, Bobby Jacobs. We're told Amanda allegedly shoved him in front of a security guard at their hotel and the push was harsh enough, the guard called cops.

According to the police report, the altercation was way more severe. Bobby claimed Amanda started to hit him while he was in bed, they argued for hours before she eventually took the room's phone and swung it at him. He also told cops she'd kicked, scratched and pinched him because she was pissed he wasn't answering her calls earlier in the night.

Amanda's rep told us the whole thing was a misunderstanding, calling her shove "playful."

"The Bachelor" contestant Cristy Caserta -- who was only 38 -- died unexpectedly Thursday after suffering an apparent seizure ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Caserta was attending a class at a school in Sunrise, FL when she suddenly fell forward at the desk where she was sitting. Her alarmed classmates immediately called 911.

We're told Cristy went into cardiac arrest as emergency responders arrived and administered CPR. She was transported to nearby Westside Regional Medical Center where they continued efforts to save her, but she was pronounced dead.

Cops say they do not suspect foul play and no drugs were found on Caserta -- it appears she died as a result of the sudden seizure. An autopsy will be performed Friday to determine the official cause of death.

Cristy appeared on Season 15 of "The Bachelor" ... the one fans know as Brad Womack's second shot at finding love. She was sent home the first week.

Amanda Stanton and her boyfriend put on a united front during a beach outing ... not long after she was arrested for getting into a fight with him.

The 'Bachelor' and "Bachelor in Paradise" fan favorite hit up Laguna Beach Sunday with BF, Bobby Jacobs ... showing plenty of PDA. It's the first time we've seen them out together since Amanda's arrest last week in Vegas after a drunken post-bachelorette party incident with Bobby.

As we first reported ... security at the Encore was responding to a noise complaint when an apparently boozed-up Amanda tried to intervene, shoving Bobby in the process. We're told that was enough for security to call cops, who arrested Amanda for misdemeanor domestic battery.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Bobby also claims Amanda started to hit him while he was in bed, argued for hours and at one point took the room's phone and swung it at him. Bobby also says Amanda tried kicking him and he tried pinning her down but he says she kept scratching and pinching his arms and body. Amanda had apparently been upset with Bobby 'cause he wasn't answering her calls.

A rep for Amanda told us it was all a misunderstanding ... calling the shove "playful."

The first couple who got engaged on ABC's 'Bachelor'-spinoff, "The Proposal," have called it quits just a few months after the show premiered this summer.

Amputee police officer Mike Crowe tells TMZ that his new fiancee, Monica Villalobos, broke things off with him while they were recently on a trip to Costa Rica. The split happened just last week in the middle of their vacation -- Mike says Monica told him she didn't have feelings for him anymore.

Mike's clearly still hurting from the fresh break-up. He says not only did he put himself out there in trying to meet that special someone on TV, but notes that a ton of people have gotten emotionally invested in their journey. Plus, he says the Costa Rica trip was supposed to be in celebration of his 30th birthday ... so this doubly sucks for him.

As to whether he feels like he was set up for failure by the premise of the show -- propose to someone you've never met within an hour-long program -- Mike says no. He tells us he didn't have any expectations and didn't feel any outside pressure on the relationship. It's unclear if Monica felt the same, but he implies she might've not loved the scrutiny.

Colton Underwood putting his virginity up for grabs on "The Bachelor" will be just another day at the office for him ... according to Dr. Jenn Mann.

We got the "Couples Therapy" doc Thursday night at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, and she compared Colton's situation to throwing meat at a hungry wolf -- after all, he's a 26-year-old virgin who will have dozens of women fighting for him.

But, Jenn says it's nothing new for him. Remember, Colton's a former NFL player who's had plenty of hot chicks around him. She also addressed whether it's a smart move for him to punch his V-card on a reality show.

One more thing ... we already knew Jenn is smart as hell, but watch this clip. When she said, "the men that go on ['The Bachelor'] are not exactly mieskeits" -- it was time for a serious Google search.

Colton Underwood would be wise to keep it in his pants until he's down to 3 women on his season of "The Bachelor" ... so says one of the most promiscuous bachelors ever.

We talked to Season 4's 'Bachelor' Bob Guiney -- who slept with "five and a half women," according to an EP on the show -- and he says Colton should probably stay the virgin course until the fantasy suites, unless he's ready to have 'Bachelor' nation turn on him quick.

Bob's got a point -- it probably wouldn't play well with audiences if Colton started hooking up with ladies left and right after touting his virginity in such a public manner. If he stays true until the penultimate episode, Bob's sure ratings will skyrocket.

As for who should get cast to contend for Colton's heart, Bob thinks it wouldn't be a bad idea to have some late bloomers on there -- even though those folks won't have an automatic advantage.

He also suggests the pendulum could swing the other way with people like ... well, you gotta hear who his surprise guest of the year would be for yourself.