Michael Rapaport is accustomed to controversy, having made headlines over the years for everything from his feuds with “Real Housewives” stars to his controversial take on Hulk Hogan’s death. None, however, seems to have generated as much buzz as the outspoken figure’s recent feud with Colton Underwood on season 4 of “The Traitors.” During a recent episode, Rapaport squared off with Underwood during the show’s intense roundtable discussion, telling the “Bachelor” alum that “nobody in this room would be better at holding a secret than you.” While many believed Rapaport’s comment was a dig at Underwood for his sexuality, which he spoke openly about in April 2021, the “Metro” actor insists that couldn’t be further from the truth.

After Rapaport’s comment, Underwood retorted, suggesting that hiding his truth for a long portion of his life took a bigger toll on him than people realize. “You think it was fun for 29 years of my life?” he asked.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly about the situation, however, Rapaport defended himself against the “homophobic” reactions that have surfaced since that explosive scene aired. According to him, his comment had “nothing to do” with Underwood’s sexuality.

During the episode, Underwood signaled to the other contestants that he had his eyes on Rapaport as a potential Traitor—something that evidently made the father of two “defensive.”

“I thought that he was a Traitor, and I was riffing,” Rapaport said. “I was going at him because he was going at me, and I felt defensive, and I was doing my best to deflect all of the attention, which had been on me the previous four roundtables.”

Rapaport explained that while he managed to survive episodes 1-4, he was “annoyed” that he was being targeted by Underwood.

“I was just flowing, I was just talking,” he said. “I was talking about him being conniving, cowardly, and commiserating. Those words are thrown around a lot during this game: lying, secrets, dishonest, deceitful, betrayal.”

Rapaport’s comments not only stung Underwood but the entire cast, a majority of whom voted to banish him during episode 5.

Rapaport explained, however, that the phrase he used wasn’t directed solely at the “Coming Out Colton” star.

“And that was just one of the words I used, and I would’ve used it towards anybody that I felt was coming at me, but I truly felt that he was a Traitor in that moment. I was dead set that he was a Traitor,” Rapaport said.

Continuing, Rapaport explained that he “felt completely misunderstood” and “gaslit” by his fellow cast members when they interpreted his comments as a reference to Underwood’s sexuality.

“I felt that they didn’t understand what I was saying. And I think that if the conversation had stuck to just me and Colton, it wouldn’t have gotten to the level that it got to, because I feel like I acknowledged it and apologized right there,” he said.

Rapaport maintained that he has no issue with Underwood—despite their on-screen friction. He added that he actually had “a great time” with the former football player in the Scottish castle. “But I did think he was a Traitor. Just things got a little bit out of hand,” Rapaport stated.

Rapaport admitted he does “regret” that his comment may have triggered Underwood, though.

“It obviously did offend him and some other people at the table, and it caused and brought negative attention to his world and his young family. It obviously brought negative attention to my life. It brought negative attention to the show, and it’s not what my intention was,” he said.

Although Rapaport has been banished from the show, the controversial personality has a chance to address the fallout once more at the upcoming “Traitors” reunion.

The encounter may proceed without incident, however, as Underwood recently admitted he’s not holding a “grudge” against his Peacock co-star.

Fans, on the other hand, might feel differently, as one wrote, “Michael had no filter this entire season and should’ve realistically been the first one banished, BUT he was rightfully defending himself the whole episode.”

Another user offered a differing opinion, writing, “Michael can be an a-s, but I don’t think he meant it that way at all.”