Bachelorette star Sam McKinney's loved ones have leapt to his defense again after he was branded a 'douche' by viewers for his behavior, insisting he is nowhere near as 'shallow' as he came across on screen.
The 27-year-old singleton was dumped by Jenn Tran on the ABC dating show in scenes that aired on Monday night, after he bravely declared that she was not his type and that he only signed up to the series because he believed Daisy Kent or Maria Georgas would be the lead.
But now a couple close to Sam has spoken out in a desperate bid to quell the raging criticism, urging fans not to take the show 'too seriously' and insisting he is a 'selfless' man in real life.
Luke Setzer, who first met Sam at a wedding four years ago, claimed that the reality personality is a 'selfless man who continuously puts others needs before his own.'
'Let me tell you about this guy right here, who was put in my life and changed it for the better!' he said on Facebook.
The Bachelorette star Sam McKinney has once again been fiercely defended by his loved ones after viewers branded him a 'douche'
'I first met Sam at a wedding, and I too judged him before I knew him. I looked at my wife and said, "that guy's a douche". Boy was I wrong.
'Later that evening at the reception, I noticed him and his girlfriend at the time standing alone in the corner while we all danced and had a good time, so I walked right up to him and introduced myself.
'I told him there is no reason for him to be over here isolated, and I invited him to hang out with me for the rest of the night. We then danced and drank the night away.'
Luke and Sam maintained a friendship after meeting at the wedding and have spoken almost every day since, quickly becoming family to one another.
He went on to reveal that during his home renovation, Sam would drive four hours to help 'out of the kindness of his heart' throughout a long three-year process.
Luke continued: 'Who leaves their 9-5 job and drives four hours to do the same exact thing for countless weekends from sunup to sundown for no pay?
'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 continuously puts others needs 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 has spoken out in a desperate bid to quell the raging criticism, insisting he is a 'selfless' man off screen
Jenn Tran dumped Sam on the ABC dating show in scenes that aired on Monday night
'So, for all those people who judge a man off a narrated reality TV show go ahead. But I have some advice.
'Don't have a mouth full of scriptures and a heart full of hate. The world needs more people like Sam, and I will always stand with my brother in all life's endeavors.'
Luke's wife Tara Wood Setzer also leapt to Sam's defense, describing him as 'selfless, fun, and genuine.'
She began: 'For people that take reality TV too seriously, please take these words seriously because it's the truth… I've known Sam for four years now.'
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 the kind, selfless, fun, and genuine person Sam is...
'I know Sam looked shallow and disingenuous… I have seen the most generous and comforting side to Sam.
Luke Setzer and his wife Tara posted public statements on Facebook defending their friend Sam following a backlash
Luke described Sam as a 'selfless man who loves to see the people he loves succeed and be happy'
'As I was going through some very personal things in my life that only him and my husband knew about, Sam was nothing but understanding, caring and compassionate throughout the whole thing.'
'That is the truth and reality of who Sam is,' she added.
'It's easy to judge a book by its cover like my husband did, but when you actually get to know the person you see their true self.
'We love you Sam and we hate the world didn't get to see the amazing man you are.'
Earlier this week, Sam left viewers' skin crawling after he brazenly admitted to Jenn that she is not his type - with one fan even going as far as branding it 'one of the worst' moments in the show's 21-year history.
During a sit down radio interview with Sam, Jenn asked what his first impressions were and how they had evolved over time.
In her post, Tara said she has seen 'the most generous and comforting side to Sam'
While the questions should have been straightforward to answer, Sam fumbled badly, leaving viewers so appalled that they branded him 'the biggest ick.'
He said: 'I almost didn't even come here, and I thought, no, like, 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. I'm like, "Okay, this girl is not my type."
'Like, this is that whole idea of, like, the unknown right there. I thought the bachelorette was going to be Daisy [Kent] or Maria [Georgas]. But, yeah, it was weird.
'Obviously, like, you're stunning, there's no doubt about that right there. But I know that that fades, but I think I trust the process. I truly feel like I'm meant to be here.
'My dream is to be a father, be a husband. My parents have been together for 30 plus years.'
The interview reached fever pitch when Jenn asked: 'Do you feel like you really know me?'
Tara and Luke met Sam at a wedding four years ago, with the trio remaining close friends
Tara said she has seen first hand the 'kind, selfless, fun, and genuine person Sam is'
'Honestly, you know, I told you from early that my love language is physical touch,' he replied, before leaning across the table and kissing Jenn.
Unsurprisingly, the move did not sit well with Jenn, who vented in her confessional: 'I don't know why he's doing this.
'I need him to tell me why he sees me as his wife and what exact qualities in me that he sees that he wants in the future. I didn't feel as if I got any answers.'
This isn't the first time Sam's nearest and dearest 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 he's been 'made into the villain' by the show's 'manipulative' editing - but did not provide evidence.
Susan and Jeff McKinney both seemingly flocked to Facebook to slam network bosses for making their son look like a 'horrendous guy' and alleged scenes had been 'cut and pasted.'
Their supposed statements came after their son pushed Bachelorette Jenn into doing a skywalk during a date and badmouthed fellow singleton Devin Strader, calling him a 'little b****.'
