I Couldn't Be More Excited For Bachelor In Paradise To Make Its Big Return This Summer (The Season's Big Twist Explained)

A new season of Bachelor In Paradise is officially happening this summer, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about getting back to the beach. The season finale of The Bachelor season 29 recently aired on ABC and host Jesse Palmer made it official. He confirmed that the show would be back this summer, named a few of the first contestants, and shocked audiences with a wild new twist. I'll be honest and admit that I don't love the twist, but Bachelor In Paradise is my favorite iteration of the franchise, and nothing could stop me from watching the new season.

As far as I'm concerned, Bachelor In Paradise is one of the best things on television, and I'm sure the new season will be no exception. While The Bachelor and The Bachelorette focus on the romantic search of one person, Bachelor In Paradise is a fun ensemble show. Despite the fact that Bachelor In Paradise season 9 didn't yield any lasting couples, it was still a fun watch. This season promises to be the wildest yet, with a new twist changing everything. If you're anything like me, you're counting down the days until the new season.

The Last Bachelor In Paradise Was A Big Dud

Three Failed Relationships

Bachelor In Paradise season 9 ended with three couples walking off the beach together. Within a week of the season finale airing on ABC, all three relationships were finished. What's more, the breakups happened within days of each other. Kylee Russell and Aven Jones didn't get engaged at the end of the season, but they left paradise as boyfriend and girlfriend. Two couples left the beach engaged, including John Henry Spurlock and Kat Izzo, who didn't find each other until later in the season. Aaron Bryant proposed to Eliza Isichei after a tumultuous start to their relationship.

Kylee came to BIP hoping to meet Aven, who had liked some of her Instagram photos. The couple spent the season together, but Kylee wanted to get engaged while Aven wasn't ready. Despite this difference, they left BIP season 9 in a committed relationship. However, on December 9, 2023, Kylee revealed that she and Aven had broken up due to his alleged infidelity. She wrote in her Instagram Stories, "In the last 24 hours I have been grasping with the fact that one of the most important relationships in my life has dissolved due to multiple infidelities."

During the Bachelor In Paradise season 9 finale, John Henry got down on one knee and proposed to Kat. This was after revealing that he was following his heart and ignoring his gut. Perhaps he should have listened to his gut because they broke up soon after Kylee and Aven. John Henry and Kat announced their breakup in a now-deleted Instagram post. He wrote, "With mutual love and respect, Kat and I have recently decided to part ways. Our relationship has been filled with wonderful memories and growth, something we looked forward to sharing with you."

"Tricky emotions watching it all unfold but unfortunately me & @elizisichei's love story has come to an end."

Aaron proposed to Eliza during the finale, and she accepted. Then, on Monday, just a few short hours after Kat and John Henry's announcement, Aaron posted about his split from Eliza on Instagram stories. "Tricky emotions watching it all unfold but unfortunately me & @elizisichei's love story has come to an end," Aaron wrote. Despite Bachelor In Paradise season 9 being a fail, I'm still excited about the next season.

This Season's Big Twist

A Cross-Generational Situation

During The Bachelor season 29 finale, host Jesse Palmer announced that Bachelor In Paradise season 10 would include a major twist. In addition to casting former contestants from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, this season will also include contestants from The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette. It isn't clear how this will work, like if there will be two rose ceremonies. Surely the young and older contestants aren't meant to date each other. I personally don't love the twist. I strongly believe that Golden Bachelor In Paradise should be its own show.

The First Few Contestants Have Been Named

Zoe, Gary & Leslie Are Single And Ready To Mingle

In addition to announcing the big twist during The Bachelor season 29 finale, Jesse also named the show's first three contestants. Among the younger cohort, the first Bachelor In Paradise season 10 contestant will be 27-year-old Zoe McGrady. Zoe was one of Grant Ellis' final three during The Bachelor season 29. Despite the fact that she never had a solo date, she made it all the way to hometown dates and beyond. I think Zoe's a great catch, and I hope she meets someone on the beach this summer.

Jesse named two of the Golden Bachelor contestants too. Gary Levingston and Leslie Fhima will also be making their franchise return during Bachelor In Paradise season 10. Gary, a 65-year-old retired finance executive from California, was eliminated early during The Golden Bachelorette. Though Gary couldn't win Joan Vassos' heart, he became a fan favorite due to his fun-loving nature and his zest for life. Joan's loss will hopefully be the gain of some lucky woman on the beach this summer.

The final Bachelor In Paradise contestant named during The Bachelor season 29 finale was Leslie Fhima. Leslie, a 65-year-old fitness instructor from Minnesota, was one of Gerry Turner's final two women during The Golden Bachelor season 1. After Gerry led Leslie on and broke her heart, she gets a second chance at finding love on national television. Whether or not Leslie finds her true love on the beach this summer, I'll definitely be watching every moment.