Bachelor in Paradise is entering its Golden Era, and even if you watched The Golden Bachelor or The Golden Bachelorette, you’re not ready for the energy that these spunky seniors are about to bring to the beach.
“The number one thing that surprised me was the energy they brought,” Paradise host Jesse Palmer told Decider at a Season 10 premiere event in New York City. “The Goldens showed up and they turned up quick. I think they got there at like 10:15 in the morning. They were doing body shots off each other like 10:19 in the pool in front of everybody. Part of the greatness of the Goldens is they do not care. They’ve lived life. They know who they are. And they’re not afraid to just be themselves. They set the tone very fast.”
While there’s lots of fun in the sun ahead, for those who were moved by older contestants’ journeys on the franchise’s Golden spinoffs, Head of Paradise Relations, Hannah Brown, says you’ll be inspired by their time on the beach as well.
“I, like many, fell in love with the Goldens on their respective seasons of Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette. My fiancé and I literally cried over that show and I haven’t been brought to tears from TV in a while,” Brown told Decider. “Just their outlook outlook on life, the wisdom that they have — I am so excited for people to see Goldens hit the beach, because they bring this energy that is so infectious and really like livens up the younger cast. They are fully enjoying, and being in the moment, and really looking for love and whatever this experience has for them.”
While many members of Bachelor Nation were rooting for some iteration of Golden Bachelor in Paradise, when Palmer revealed a hybrid season that would feature young and old contestants simultaneously searching for love alongside each other, there was definitely hesitation from fans. Some were concerned about age-gap relationships, while others worried the dynamic would be awkward on both sides. Even Paradise bartender Wells Adams was admittedly skeptical, but after seeing Goldens in action, he fully changed his mind.
“I was a little apprehensive, and I think Bachelor Nation feels that way about the Goldens coming. But I couldn’t have been more wrong about it,”Adams told Decider. “I was a little nervous, because It’s hot. It’s long days. I don’t want to kill anybody. But I’m not lying when I say that like the Goldens brought so much more energy than the youngs did. Thank God they were there. They injected the show with so much chutzpah. God bless the Goldens.”
As for fellow contestants’ thoughts, Bachelor alum Jess Edwards piled on the Golden praise, calling their arrival “a needed breath of fresh air” after a week of drama.
With a stacked cast including fan-favorite Bachelor Nation alum April Kirkwood, Jack Lencioni, Keith Gordon and Natascha Hardee, we have no doubt that all Golden Paradise contestants will sparkle and shine in their own ways. But when asked for a standout Golden guy or gal, one name came up in every interview: Kathy Swarts.
“I love Kathy. She is a hoot. She’s a crazy person in the best way possible,” Adams told Decider.
“People remember Kathy from, from Gerry’s season. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, not afraid to take chances,” Palmer echoed, adding that “CK was great. Gary’s amazing. Leslie’s phenomenal.”
As for Brown, she shouted out all the Golden women before elaborating on a few personal faves. “Cathy is amazing and gave such good advice. Whether you wanted it or not, she was gonna give it to you, which I love about her. I’m always rooting for Leslie and her journey to find love. And April is an actual living fairy that’s just so wild and fun. They’re all just so fun and funny and I just like want to be best friends with all of them.”
Expect body shots, juicy secrets shared, senior smooching, dancing, wisdom sharing, and lots of Golden memories made on the beach.
Bachelor in Paradise Season 10, Episode 3 premieres Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC with next-day streaming on Hulu.