‘The Kardashians’ EP on Kim and Kourtney’s ‘Fiery’ Fight, If Timothée Chalamet Has Filmed and Whether Kourtney Will Give Birth On-Screen
In all of his projects, Underwood hopes to target issues that spark conversation among diverging viewers. He believes that growing up in a Republican family in Indiana, he can push through to middle America and help educate people who have not been exposed to the severity of issues facing the LGBTQ+ community.
“We have a lot in common. We also have our differences. But the way that we approach our differences and approach our conversations is in a really healthy way that needs to be showcased more,” Underwood says. “We won’t take a hostile approach. If anything, it’s a diffusing approach. I want people to watch what I put out and be able to have an in-depth discussion. Maybe they don’t think the same way – and that’s good.
Underwood’s notoriety came mostly from reality TV, and not during his football days, but he understands the pressures college athletes face when they become stars on campus, or even global superstars. He also understands the ups and downs of overnight fame. In 2021, the N.C.A.A. agreed via the NIL policy that college athletes could earn money off their fame for the first time, allowing them to secure endorsement deals, sell autographs and profit off of their social media.
“This is a massive problem, and it’s only going to get bigger,” he adds “You have kids signing away percentages of their life earnings at a young age, not knowing what they’re getting into, you have people capitalizing on their fame, and on their fortune.
In addition to serving as executive producer on the documentary, Underwood will also be the on-camera host. “Rights are being stripped away from LGBTQ+ community,” he says. “I’m working to build a family with Jordan, and it’s still legal in 13 states to discriminate against same sex couples that want to have kids and adopt. Our trans community is under attack right now. Openly in government, they are coming for gay marriage next. That is all very real and it’s scary.”Not every project coming from his production company will be so serious. Underwood reveals he’s also developing a reality dating show.
Underwood makes clear that he doesn’t want to harp on “The Bachelor” franchise – which he regrets doing for so many years.