The Bachelorette star Sam McKinney’s loved ones have again come to his defence after viewers branded him a “jerk” for his behaviour, insisting he is not as “shallow” as he appeared on screen.
The 27-year-old bachelor was dumped by Jenn Tran on the ABC dating show in scenes that aired Monday night, after he bravely declared that she wasn’t his type and that he only signed on to the series because he thought Daisy Kent or Maria Georgas would be the leads.
But now a partner close to Sam has spoken out in a desperate bid to quell criticism, urging fans not to take the show “too seriously” and insisting he is a “selfless” man in real life.
Luke Setzer, who met Sam at a wedding four years ago, said his real personality is that of a “selfless man who continually puts the needs of others before his own.”
“Let me tell you about this man who came into my life and changed it for the better!” she said on Facebook.
The Bachelorette star Sam McKinney has once again been fiercely defended by his loved ones after viewers branded him a “jerk”.
“I met Sam at a wedding and I was very judgmental of him before I met him. I looked at my wife and said, ‘That guy is an idiot.’ I was so wrong.
‘Later that night at the reception I noticed him and his girlfriend at the time standing alone in the corner while we were all dancing and having a good time, so I walked up to him and introduced myself.
“I told him he didn’t have to stay there in isolation and invited him to spend the rest of the night with me. Afterwards we danced and drank all night.”
Luke and Sam maintained a friendship after meeting at the wedding and have talked almost every day since, quickly becoming family.
She went on to reveal that during the renovation of her home, Sam would drive four hours to help “out of the goodness of his heart” during a three-year long process.
Luke continued: ‘Who quits their 9-to-5 job and drives four hours to do the exact same thing for countless weekends from dawn to dusk without getting paid?
“A selfless man who loves to see the people he loves succeed and be happy. There’s something to be said about a man who always puts the needs of others before his own.”
Concluding his post, Luke said: ‘We love Sam for Sam and every ounce of what he stands for.
A couple close to Sam have spoken out in a desperate bid to quell criticism, insisting he is a “selfless” man off-screen.
Jenn Tran dumped Sam on the ABC dating show in scenes that aired Monday night
‘So for all those people judging a man by the narration of a reality show, go ahead. But I do have a piece of advice.
“Don’t have your mouth full of scripture and your heart full of hate. The world needs more people like Sam, and I will always stand by my brother in all of life’s endeavors.”
Luke’s wife, Tara Wood Setzer, also came to Sam’s defense, describing him as “selfless, funny and genuine.”
She began: ‘For people who take reality TV too seriously, please take these words seriously because it’s the truth… I’ve known Sam for four years.’
Tara continued, “Over the years, I’ve seen the relationship and bond my husband and Sam have developed together, and the relationship I’ve been able to build with Sam. I’ve seen what a kind, selfless, funny, and genuine person Sam is…”
‘I know Sam seemed shallow and fake… I’ve seen the more generous and comforting side of Sam.
Luke Setzer and his wife Tara posted public statements on Facebook defending their friend Sam following backlash.
Luke described Sam as a “selfless man who loves seeing the people he loves succeed and be happy.”
‘While I was going through some very personal things in my life that only he and my husband knew about, Sam was nothing but understanding, caring and compassionate throughout the entire process.’
“That’s the truth and the reality of who Sam is,” he added.
‘It’s easy to judge a book by its cover, as my husband did, but when you really get to know the person, you see the real them.
“We love you Sam and we hate that the world hasn’t been able to see the incredible man you are.”
Earlier this week, Sam left viewers with goosebumps after brazenly admitting to Jenn that she’s not his type – with one fan even going as far as to call it “one of the worst” moments in the show’s 21-year history.
During a radio interview with Sam, Jenn asked him what his first impressions were and how they had evolved over time.
In her post, Tara said she has seen “the most generous and heartwarming side of Sam.”
Although the questions should have been easy to answer, Sam made a lot of mistakes and left viewers so horrified that they branded him “the biggest idiot.”
He said: ‘I almost didn’t even come here and I thought, no, there’s an opportunity to find my wife here and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
“And then I got out of the limo and I was like, ‘Okay, this girl is not my type.'”
“It’s like it’s an idea of the unknown. I thought the Bachelorette was going to be Daisy (Kent) or Maria (Georgas). But, yeah, it was weird.
“Obviously, you’re awesome, there’s no doubt about that. But I know that fades, but I think I trust the process. I really feel like I’m meant to be here.
“My dream is to be a father, to be a husband. My parents have been together for more than 30 years.”
The interview reached its climax when Jenn asked, ‘Do you feel like you really know me?’
Tara and Luke met Sam at a wedding four years ago, and the three remain close friends.
Tara said she has seen firsthand what a “kind, selfless, funny and genuine person Sam is.”
—I actually told you from the beginning: my love language is physical contact —he replied before leaning over the table and kissing Jenn.
As expected, the decision did not sit well with Jenn, who vented in her confessional: “I don’t know why he’s doing this.”
“I need you to tell me why you see me as your wife and what exact qualities you see in me that you want to have in the future. I didn’t seem to get any answers.”
This is not the first time that Sam’s family and friends have spoken out in his defense on social media.
Earlier this month, Sam’s parents appeared to take to social media to defend their son’s character, claiming the show’s “manipulative” editing had “turned him into a villain” but provided no evidence.
Susan and Jeff McKinney reportedly took to Facebook to slam network bosses for making their son look like a “horrible guy” and allegedly “cutting and pasting” scenes.
Her alleged remarks came after her son pushed Bachelorette Jenn into skywalking during a date and badmouthed fellow Bachelor Devin Strader, calling him a “little bitch.”