Another round of love by the sea. Bachelor in Paradise is coming back for season 8, but this time there will be a few changes.
While season 7 featured a rotating slate of guest hosts including Lil Jon, Lance Bass and David Spade after Chris Harrison‘s June 2021 departure from the franchise, the new episodes will have just one emcee: Jesse Palmer.
ABC confirmed the news in May 2022 after previously announcing that the former NFL player would also host Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia‘s season of The Bachelorette. Palmer, who led season 5 of The Bachelor in 2004, replaced guest hosts Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe, who helmed seasons 17 and 18 of The Bachelorette last year.
Some Bachelor in Paradise alums were hoping that Wells Adams would get the gig, but instead he’ll return in his role as bartender. “Wells was more interactive with all of us than the host was just because he was there every day at the bar,” Kendall Long said during a May 2022 episode of Us Weekly‘s “Here for the Right Reasons” podcast. “And he really had a sort of host role in talking about actual, real emotions, giving advice.”
Tammy Ly, who appeared on season 7 with Kendall, agreed with her former costar. “Wells should just be the permanent host,” she told Us in May 2022. “I think he’s killer. He has great commentary. He’s funny. He’s also sympathetic and, like, really relatable.”
Aside from the host, ABC hasn’t announced any other casting news for the show’s upcoming season, but the network’s entertainment president Craig Erwich hinted that the potential contestants will be able to live up to the hype.
“When I think of some of the people they have in mind to come back for Bachelor in Paradise, I think it’s going to continue to be a very watched and very discussed block of programming on Mondays and Tuesdays,” he said during ABC’s Upfront presentation in May 2022.
Season 8 is set to tape in the summer, meaning that it’s likely some of the cast-offs from Gabby and Rachel’s upcoming season could end up on the beach. Filming for their joint season 19 began in March 2022 with a premiere date set for July 11, 2022.
There’s also a possibility that some of the contestants from Michelle Young‘s season of The Bachelorette could make an appearance. Fan favorite Rodney Mathews, for example, has hinted that he’d be willing to head to Mexico to find love.
“I don’t want to give a hard yes or no,” he told Us in March 2022. “I’m always open to [love]. I’m really hoping to find it. I think have a weird feeling, I feel like this is my year. I’m going to speak it into existence, manifest it.”
Keep scrolling for more details on season 8 of Bachelor in Paradise.
Jesse will host his inaugural season of BiP after helming Clayton Echard's season of The Bachelor. Wells, for his part, will return as the Paradise bartender. ABC/Craig Sjodin
Season 8 is scheduled to premiere on ABC Tuesday, September 27. ABC/Craig Sjodin
Before any casting announcements were made, season 6 and 7 alum Demi Burnett told Us that she won't be heading back to Mexico for another round. “I cannot go on Bachelor in Paradise again," she said in May 2022. “Also, I’m way out of their league.” ABC/Craig Sjodin
Blake Moynes, who appeared on seasons 16 and 17 of The Bachelorette, hasn't fully ruled out the possibility of doing Paradise after his split from Katie Thurston. The Canada native and the former bank marketing manager called it quits in October 2021 less than three months after Blake popped the question during the season 17 Bachelorette finale. "Can’t wait to get on that beach, get back into it," the wildlife manager joked in a March 2022 Instagram Story. “Probably not, never say never, but not unless it was a great opportunity for something, but I’d like to not.” ABC/Craig Sjodin
"With the power vested in me, I now officially declare Paradise OPEN!!!” Palmer posted on June 9, adding the hashtags, "#BachelorNation #BachelorInParadise." Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
If the promo photo is any indication, season 8 is going to get a little NSFW. ABC dropped a picture of two flamingo pool floaties getting it on alongside the tagline, "Everyone's down to flock," in August. ABC/Craig Sjodin
0 Comments