As summer heats up, Chris Harrison is preparing to take Bachelor Nation — and 21 former suitors — back to paradise.
Well, actually, he’s not preparing, he’s already in paradise and no doubt scheming and navigating the drama we’re going to see play out on-screen. Up until this point, few details had been released (thank God there haven’t been any disasters that have halted production again this year). We know Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon get engaged, but that’s about it. We don’t even know how or when that happens.
But finally, after much anticipation and speculation, ABC released the cast list for Bachelor in Paradise season five, and aside from a few unfamiliar faces (like, “Really? They were on the show?”), it’s stacked with favorites from Nick Viall, Rachel Lindsay, Arie Luyendyk Jr., and Becca Kufrin’s seasons. There are even a few familiar faces from Bachelor: Winter Games.
Check out who got an invite — and how we feel about seeing them on our screens again.
Krystal Nielson
Chris Harrison would never miss an opportunity to bring a villain to paradise. Nielson went after Luyendyk hard during her time on The Bachelor. So hard, it rubbed a lot of his other girlfriends — and viewers — the wrong way. Will she continue to be a Bachelor villain or make amends in paradise?
Kenny Layne
Kenny King is back! If you forgot, that's his professional wrestling name. While he didn't win Lindsay's heart on The Bachelorette, he did win the hearts of America. We're ready to see this guy fight for everlasting love on the golden beaches of Playa Escondida.
Tia Booth
Tia Booth from Luyendyk's season is headed to paradise, which probably means Colton Underwood will make an appearance mid-season too. While some are speculating Underwood could become the next Bachelor (nope, we still want Eric Bigger, please), we're pretty sure this photo means the two are officially a thing. Maybe their romance starts on the Playa Escondida beaches with cameras all around.
Eric Bigger
Yes! Eric!
We wanted Bigger to be the Bachelor so badly after Lindsay's season — he would have been lightyears better than Luyendyk. Alas, he didn't get chosen but hope isn't lost. Viall got to be the Bachelor after Bachelor in Paradise. Could the same fate be in Bigger's future? We can only hope.
Bibiana Julian
Bibiana Julian is back and — after Luyendyk's season and Bachelor: Winter Games — is ready to try to find love on national TV again. Hey, maybe third time's the charm for Julian?
David Ravitz
Ugh, nooooo. We just got Ravitz out of our lives, and now we have to let him back in? Sorry, not sorry — he was the worst on Kufrin's season. We'd rather watch a pair of golden boxers than him any day.
Jordan Kimball
And, of course, since Ravitz is headed to paradise, so is Kimball. We're really hoping this doesn't become the David and Jordan show. Seriously, no thank you. But it all feels so predictable. You just know they're going to go after the same girl.
Chelsea Roy
Roy was so cute on Luyendyk's season, we were big fans. And since she's leaving her son, Sammy, so she can find love in paradise, we hope the season plays out in her favor. But she should probably leave any glam-shaming behind.
Nick Spetsas
Uh, who?
Kufrin gave this attorney from Florida the boot in week four. But he's shirtless in almost every photo on Instagram, so, uh, we're cool with him going to paradise.
Ashley Iaconetti & Jared Haibon
Of course, Iaconetti and Haibon are ending (or just beginning?) their love story right where it started. We're actually pretty darn excited about watching this play out. Bring on the (happy) tears!
Kevin Wendt
Well, this could be awkward. We first met Wendt on Bachelor: Winter Games. He and Iaconetti had a pretty hot and heavy thing… and while Wendt has congratulated Iaconetti on her recent engagement — that literally happens in paradise — we could see some uncomfortable situations happening with all three of them stuck on an island together.
Kendall Long
When Long's heart broke, all our hearts broke. Viall seriously let a good girl, go but we're so glad she's back in paradise, and we're pretty certain she's going to have no problem finding love.
John Graham
Honestly, we don't have strong feelings about Graham being in paradise at all. He didn't get much airtime during Kufrin's season, but he seemed sweet enough, so… here's hoping he finds love? Or at least ends up on TV a little more?
Joe Amabile
We're so eggcited, it's Joe the Grocer! (Get ready for all the grocery store puns.) We've suspected for a very long time Amabile would be invited to paradise. Kufrin really missed out on a catch here — but lettuce watch him get his second shot at reality TV love. You butter believe we'll be rooting him on.
Angela Amezcua
Viall said goodbye to Amezcua in week one of The Bachelor, so it's impossible for us to have really formed any opinions about her. She's a 28-year-old model from South Carolina. That's really all we've got.
Astrid Loch
Astrid… Astrid… Astrid… nope. Doesn't ring a bell. She was on Viall's season too and was eliminated in week four. Through Instagram stalking, we discovered she's BFFs with Danielle Maltby (also Viall's ex). Besides that, we don't know much about her. We suspect that will all change soon.
Nysha Norris
Norris was eliminated in week one of Luyendyk's season. She's a nurse from South Carolina, and since we couldn't find her Instagram, she's a bit of a mystery.
Annaliese Puccini
Puccini was also given the boot early in Luyendyk's season — week three to be exact. She's a 33-year-old event designer from San Mateo, California, who has a private Instagram account. Ugh, why?
Wells Adams & Yuki Kimura
Adams is returning as a bartender for season five (although he's madly in love with Sarah Hyland right now, so don't expect any romance storylines here) — and he'll be getting a hand from Bachelor: Winter Games favorite Kimura! We can just hear all the squeals now.
Leave a Comment