Colton Underwood

COLTON UNDERWOOD

The Modern Gentleman

THERE ARE MANY WAYS ONE CAN DEFINE THE MODERN GENTLEMAN. IN TWO WORDS, IT CAN CURRENTLY BE DEFINED AS “COLTON UNDERWOOD”. BELLO MAGAZINE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING WITH COLTON ON WHAT MAKES THE MODERN MAN AND GOT A SNEAK PEAK INTO WHAT MAKES HIM THE BACHELOR THAT HE IS, HIS PHILANTHROPIC AMBITIONS AND YOUNG TV PERSONALITY THAT WILL BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR YEARS TO COME. WHILE HE IS CURRENTLY KNOWN FOR BEING THE FACE OF BACHELOR NATION THROUGH THE 2018 YEAR AND NOW THIS YEAR’S LEADING MAN AS THE BACHELOR, THERE IS MORE TO COLTON THAN WHAT COMES UP WITH A SINGLE GOOGLE SEARCH. FROM PROFESSIONALLY HAVING AN NFL BACKGROUND, THE YOUNG ATHLETE AND ENTREPRENEUR WILL BE TAKING 2019 BY STORM. ASIDE FROM THE FAMED ABC SHOW THAT IS HITTING TV RATING HIGHS, MUCH MORE CAN BE SAID ABOUT HIS DEDICATION IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY CYSTIC FIBROSIS. CREATED IN 2015, THE LEGACY FOUNDATION IS UNDERWOOD’S NON-PROF- IT ORGANIZATION AND WAS CREATED TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS TO LIVE FULLY, DREAM AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION RAISES FUNDS FOR RESEARCH AND PROVIDES EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES LIVING WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS WITH COLTON RECENT- LY MAKING IT HIS GOAL TO SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDE AN AFFLOVEST TO A CHILD FROM EACH US STATE.

You recently wanted to provide 50 Afflo- Vests in 50 States. For our readers, can you tell us what an AffloVest does and how close are you to completing that 50 state goal?

An AffloVest is an airway clearance treatment – basically it helps break up mucus in the lungs to reduce the chance of infection. People with cystic fibrosis require airway clearance at least twice a day, and it takes about 30 minutes each time. Traditional treatment requires users to be attached by hoses to a noisy unit – that leaves them inactive for an hour or more each day. The AffloVest is mobile, light and quiet, so users can be studying, traveling, even playing outside while doing treatment. It restores activity and freedom and our Legacy Project recipients tell us that it improves treatment compliance – that’s most important to us. We have given away seven AffloVests to date and we have five more scheduled soon. Thanks to our sponsors, we’re able to pair the giveaway with a fun, unique experience. It takes us time to plan and schedule our Legacy days, but our Legacy families have told us that when it’s time for treatment, our recipients now have a memory that makes treatment a happier time.

Let us know what is your next immediate goal with The Legacy Foundation?

We have so much going on – we’ll continue our Legacy Project which takes a lot of time and resources, but we want to reach more people this year. We are committed first to awareness. Because of our recent increased visibility, we’ve gained lots of followers fast! We want to be sure that our audience, and their friends and family, knows what cystic fibrosis is. In addition to our awareness campaign, we’re starting to look at how we can encourage treatment compliance among the whole CF population. We want to share stories of CF warriors who are doing remarkable things - physically, scholastically, socially - so that the incentive to do treatment is knowing that, with good health, people with CF can live their dreams.

This past year, you were very much in the public eye. What is something people may not know about you from just watching “The Bachelor” franchise?

I think one thing people don’t quite know about me is that I don’t myself too seriously - I love going with the flow and laughing at myself. I’ve grown so much this last year and really come I to my own.

You have had a career as an athlete, business owner, philanthropist and television personality. Is there a business venture you would like to get into that you haven’t touched on just yet?

I’m a big believer in trying everything at least once to see if you like it, including my career. So far I’m enjoying the entertainment side of things and would love to continue to gain experience and share my passions with people to make a difference.

With your involvement in “The Bachelor” you have created a new look into modern man, can you describe your style and what you think makes the modern gentleman?

I think the word gentleman is more a set of values and standards on how you approach life. I live life trying to treat other how I would want to be treated.

With your background as an athlete, philanthropist and television personality you have made some travels to great destinations, what is on your bucket list and why?

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a ton of time to travel... but in 2019 my goal is to see 5 new countries. Top of my bucket list is Bora Bora and Fiji. I NEED A VACATION!

Can you provide some dating advice for both future Bachelor contestants and The Bachelor / Bachelorette?

My advice for anyone getting into a relationship is to make sure to communicate. The most valuable thing in life is someone’s time and you don’t want to waste yours or theirs. Also, being in a relationship takes work. Yes you have to like the person and hopefully one day love them, but making it work for the long run means putting in effort and work. You choose to love someone.

Anyone can tell you love dogs, thoughts on cats?

I’m not biased to any animals! I love helping and spending time with all animals, including cats!

Photography ARTHUR GALVAO | Special thanks to O'GARA coach company and ASTON MARTIN Beverly Hills