Following the 20th season of The Bachelorette, the ninth season of Bachelor in Paradise is back on ABC.
Filling out the ABC fall schedule, the first season of The Golden Bachelor (featuring a 72-year-old widower looking for love amidst 22 female contestants) and the new Bachelor in Paradise season are airing every Thursday night.
Bachelor in Paradise is a spin-off of the standard The Bachelor and The Bachelorette series that puts an even mix of eligible men and women (from past seasons) together in Mexico to find love.
Paradise is always a great show for devoted Bachelor watchers as the contestants are recognizable and can typically fall under a "hero" or "villain" persona. With Bachelor veterans filling out the show's roster, there has been no shortage of drama as the series fast approaches its finale on December 7.
Every Bachelor in Paradise 9 Contestant
Starting in Episode 1, 18 contestants from a variety of past seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette hit the sands of Mexico.
Since then, several contestants have left Paradise, with a number of new potential suitors swooping in to take their place. Find out who remains and who's been eliminated below:
Aaron Bryant
Returning from the most recent season of The Bachelorette, Aaron B. joins Paradise. During an unprecedented moment in Charity Lawson's season, Aaron was sent home but tried to return and give himself a second chance.
It didn't work out for the 30-year-old as Charity had to deny him again, but love is still in the air on the shores of Mexico this Paradise season.
Aaron has begun his Paradise journey, connecting with Mercedes, but eventually forming a deeper bond with Eliza and giving her his rose. However, following the arrival of John B., Eliza was swept away on a date, putting into question her interest in Aaron.
After disclosing some shady information and former relationships, Eliza is dubious of whether or not she and Aaron have a future.
Aaron eventually to Charity and Eliza, reassuring Eliza of his commitment and prompting an agreement to be exclusive. He ultimately gives his rose to Eliza.
Blake Moynes
Blake is a veteran of The Bachelorette and now finds himself mingling on the beaches of Mexico in Paradise.
Following his unsuccessful journey on Season 16 of Bachelorette, he was a late arrival to Katie's Season (17), ultimately winning, and the couple got engaged. Later, the two split, opening up the door for Blake's return on Paradise.
Blake immediately made his presence known on the beaches of Paradise and shared a kiss with Jess. She eventually accepted Blake's rose at the first ceremony. By the end of Week 5 though, Blake's relationship with Jess was much more up in the air.
In week 6, Blake goes on a date with newcomer Genevie which puts his connection with Jess in a precarious situation.
After his date with Genevie, Blake admits to being hung up on Jess, expressing that he started thinking about her as soon as he left the date.
Jess reciprocates the feelings, stating she missed him the entire time, and they decide to fully commit to each other. In the ceremony, Blake gives his rose to Jess.
Brayden Bowers
Despite making himself out as a villain to all of Bachelor Nation during Charity's season, Brayden gets a fresh start on Paradise. His eye-catching tattoos and abrasive personality caught the attention of many viewers on the latest season of The Bachelorette, but it hadn't aired before the filming of Bachelor in Paradise 9.
He certainly is a charmer, having gotten the first impression rose of Charity which is typically a good sign that the contestant will make it far. After quitting the show in week four, Brayden gets a second chance to find love.
Brayden came ready, despite already having some enemies from his season on the Bachelorette, and made a quick connection with Kat. She accepted Brayden's rose at the first ceremony but Kat quickly moved on from him.
Brayden helped pull Sean and Rachel apart in this episode, opening up his opportunity to make a connection with her. Ultimately the unlikely couple shares a kiss and appear hopeful for a future relationship.
However, once Becca joined the beach, he immediately was attracted to her and they ultimately headed on a date. They quickly connected during their date, choosing the intimate setting of Cocina Tantrica. The experience escalated as they found themselves indulging in oysters, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Eliza Isichei
Having begun her journey on Clayton's season of The Bachelor (26), Eliza is familiar with Paradise, having been a contestant on Season 8.
Getting another chance to find love, the 27-year-old marketing manager from Tampa, Florida is ready to begin another adventure on the beaches of Mexico.
She has made a strong connection with Aaron B. and accepted his rose. Despite her hopes to not get into about love triangle (as she did last season), Eliza surprisingly goes on a date with John B., which comes as a surprise to many on the beach as she and Aaron appeared to be a solid couple.
During week 6 Eliza faces a challenging situation when she navigates through Aaron's complex and concerning revelations about his ex-girlfriends, prompting an unexpected encounter with Charity (the former Bachelorette)that could potentially bring clarity to the unfolding drama.
After learning about the messages from Aaron's ex through Charity, she initially feels unsure about their relationship, but after talking to Aaron, she decides to take things slow and agrees to be exclusive. She later accepts his rose at the ceremony.
Jessica “Jess” Girod
Jess' time on Zach's season of The Bachelor ended in some controversy. While making it six weeks into the dating competition, she never received a one-on-one date and was eventually sent home after a confrontation with Zach about it.
The 24-year-old from Winter Springs is looking for more individualized attention on this season of Bachelor in Paradise.
Jess quickly formed a connection with Blake by the end of the first episode and accepted his rose at the first ceremony.
As week 6 unfolds, Jess finds herself in a messy situation when Tyler comforts her after Blake goes on a date with Genevie, despite Tyler having a connection with Mercedes.
In the aftermath of Blake's date with Genevie, Jess initiates a talk with him. He quickly admits he missed her.
Jess and Blake then decide to go all in and be exclusive. This commitment is solidified when, during the rose ceremony, Blake presents his rose to Jess.
Katherine “Kat” Izzo
Kat is a 27-year-old registered nurse from Tampa, Florida. She was previously a contestant on The Bachelor Season 27 but was sent home by Zach after seven weeks.
During the first episode of Paradise, she flirted with Brayden and they could be a potential couple moving forward.
She has now seemingly moved passed Brayden and is interested in Tanner, who is new to the beach. Kat also gets heated after Aaron S. spoke badly about her, calling for him to leave the beach.
In week 6 Kat experiences relationship turbulence as Tanner. After he goes on a date with Davia they mutually decide. to part ways.
Then, Kat sets her sights on John Henry, stirring drama with Olivia, and shares warnings about Aaron B.'s messy history with his ex-girlfriend Charity to Eliza.
Kat continually pursues John Henry, expressing her wholehearted commitment to him. However, tension arises as Olivia confronts Kat about the lack of communication regarding John Henry, causing a rift between them.
John Henry eventually does give his rose to Kat.
Kylee Russell
Kylee is a 26-year-old hitting the beaches of Mexico following her appearance as a contestant on Zach's season of The Bachelor (27).
She is a registered nurse from Charlotte, North Carolina who also used to be an NBA dancer.
Off to a hot start on Paradise, Kylee was given the first date card and asked Will to join her. However, she was quickly drawn to Aven (who joined later) and ultimately accepted his rose. The two appear to be a strong couple moving forward.
In a continued effort to solidify their relationship, Kylee accepts Aven's rose at the ceremony.
Mercedes Northup
Another contestant from The Bachelor Season 27, Mercedes is back to find love in Paradise. She is a 26-year-old nonprofit case manager from Bloomfield, Iowa.
She previously accepted Will's rose but has now gone on a date with Tyler and they seem to have a possible future on the beaches of Paradise. Unfortunately for Mercedes in week 6, Tyler ends up comforting Jess and they ultimately kiss.
In week 7, Tyler and Mercedes rekindle their connection and she ultimately accepts his rose at the ceremony.
Olivia Lewis
Having barely participated in Zach's season of The Bachelor, Olivia was swiftly sent home during week one so she may not look familiar to many fans.
She's now back to the match-making franchise, but this time on the sandy beaches of Paradise. The 25-year-old works as a patient care technician and is from Churchville, New York.
Olivia accepted Peter's rose and has been stirring up some drama on the beach after Will decided to pursue other relationships in front of her. After being asked on a date by John Henry, she speaks with Peter but ultimately decides to explore a new option.
On the date, Olivia and John Henry share a kiss and have a wonderful time, putting into question if she has any future with Peter. However, back on the beach Olivia and Peter are about to reconnect and share their own kiss.
John Henry and Olivia have a strong connection currently, but Kat begins to try and swoop in on him in week 6.
Olivia gets John Henry swept away from Kat and does not receive his rose at the ceremony. However, she stays on the beaches of Paradise when Brayden surprisingly offers his rose to her.
She is interested in the new arrival Michael and will likely go on a date with him.
Peter Cappio
If Peter doesn't look familiar, that's probably because he was sent home during week one of Charity's season of The Bachelorette (20).
Getting a second chance on the beaches of Mexico, the 34-year-old airline pilot is back to find love in Paradise.
Peter gave Olivia his first rose and is now seeking to stick around despite a lot of competition hitting the beach. However, Olivia decides to join John Henry on a date when he arrives on a beach, putting Peter in an unfavorable situation.
After the beach, Peter isn't afraid to win back Olivia as they share a kiss, quickly forming a love triangle.
Peter now has a connect with Sam after accepting her rose a few weeks prior. Currently it looks like they're a solidified couple on the beach and he gives her his rose at the ceremony.
Rachel Recchia
The most notable woman hitting the beaches of Mexico this season is Rachel, a previous Bachelorette from Season 19. The Bachelorette that year had two women, Gabby and Rachel.
Both of them had previously made it to the final three of Clayton's season of The Bachelor (26). During her season of The Bachelorette, Rachel got engaged with Tino Franco, who she later found out was cheating on her so they broke up while the show was airing.
Now embarking on her third show of the Bachelor franchise, Rachel is seeking love once again. Good news for Rachel, the last time a similar situation happened was Rebecca (Becca) Kufrin, a former contestant on The Bachelor who ultimately became The Bachelorette.
Becca ultimately made her way to Bachelor in Paradise Season 7 and found love with Thomas Jacobs, whom she just had a child with.
Rachel had an early connection with Sean (accepting his rose), which came as a surprise to many viewers. She did speak with Tyler when he first came down to the beach, keeping her options open.
Rachel then begins to connect with Brayden after Sean ruined his chances, but now the new arrival of Becca has pulled Brayden away, which Rachel isn't happy about.
Eventually, Rachel's connection to Brayden seemingly passes as she accepts a rose from Tanner at the ceremony and seems open to see where this new connection could lead.
Aven Jones
Bachelor in Paradise Season 9 Episode 2 introduced a new cast member to join the series and it is none other than Aven Jones.
The installment opened with the 29-year-old Bachelorette alum walking down the stairs, much to the surprise of Kylee and Olivia. Aven is also Rachel Recchia's ex.
It was then shown that Aven went on a date with Kylee, and it was filled with stories about life and first-date encounters. They appear to be a strong couple and he gives his rose to her at the ceremony.
Tyler Norris
Tyler was previously on Rachel's season of The Bachelorette and the 8th season of Bachelor in Paradise.
He and Brittany Galvin connected during the last season of Bachelor in Paradise. While they didn't get engaged during the show, they departed as a couple. However, during the reunion, it was disclosed that Brittany ended their relationship via FaceTime in August 2022.
This year, Tyler took Mercedes on a date and they seem to have a wonderful time together.
After a brief moment with Jess, Tyler and Mercedes are back as a pairing and he offers his rose to her at the ceremony.
Tanner Courtad
Tanner was previously on Charity's season of The Bachelorette and many fans thought he could have been cast as the next Bachelor.
He has now hit the beaches of Mexico and took Kat on a date, they appeared to make a quick connection.
The fallout from Kat's emotional breakdown over Tanner's date with Davia continues in week 6. Tanner, realizing their personalities may not align well, decides to pursue a connection with Davia, leading to a mutual decision to part ways with Kat.
In a surprising move at the ceremony, Tanner gives his rose to Rachel and is now trying to grow a connection with the former Bachelorette.
John Henry Spurlock
John Henry was on Charity's season of The Bachelorette but only lasted until week two. On Paradise, he was a late arrival, and following a shaking date card reading, he took Olivia on a successful date.
Sam P.'s truth-or-dare game prompted an alert from Olivia, leading her to question John Henry about whether he thought she was a better kisser than Mercedes. While John Henry does have a connection to Olivia, Kat is now interested after Tanner moved on from her.
John Henry eventually chooses Kat to move forward with after she relentlessly pursues him. He regrets talking to Olivia beforehand but ultimately offers his rose to Kat.
Samantha Picco
A wildcard addition to Bachelor in Paradise in Week 5 is Samantha Picco, who previously appeared on Bachelor in Paradise Canada. Promising to shake things up after finding the others rather dull, Sam P. gathered the group for a truth-or-dare session that uncovered a lot of contestants' affection for John Henry.
She also gives a rose to Peter, leaving Sean in the dust.
Sam and Peter now have a solid connection and she eventually accepts his rose at the ceremony.
Michael Barbour
Michael, who participated in the 20th season of The Bachelorette and was eliminated in week 4, made a comeback on Bachelor in Paradise.
Michael talks to Olivia and others, potentially setting up future connections with not a lot of time remaining.
Brooklyn Willie (Eliminated in Week 2)
This 26-year-old rodeo racer from Texas is hitting the beaches of Mexico for another chance at love on Bachelor in Paradise 9.
She was previously on Zach's season of The Bachelor where she made it to week seven and remains good friends with Charity (who also began her journey on the same season), who was the most recent Bachelorette.
Catherine “Cat” Wong (Eliminated in Week 2)
Following a quick departure on Zach's season of The Bachelor, Cat is back for Bachelor in Paradise 9.
This 27-year-old professional dancer from Long Island, New York shares a birthday with the United States of America and is ready to find her dream man on Paradise.
Greer Blitzer (Eliminated in Week 2)
Greer had a heartbreaking end to her time in Zach's season of The Bachelor. After winning the first impression rose, she later tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined for six days.
During that time, Zach's budding relationships developed with other women, and he made the choice to send her home.
Samantha “Sam” Jeffries (Left in Week 4)
Getting a second chance to find love on national television, Samantha returns to Paradise after being a contestant on The Bachelor Season 26.
Sam J. was able to begin an early flirtatious connection with Aaron S. and accepted his rose. Unfortunately, she was forced to leave the show in week four due to her medical issues, taking on the name of "Poop Baby."
Aaron Schwartzman (Eliminated in Week 5)
Quickly following his three-week adventure on Charity's season of The Bachelorette, Aaron S. is back to find love on Paradise.
Aaron S. is a firefighter from California who is the oldest contestant on this year's Bachelor in Paradise at 34 years old.
Luckily for Aaron S., he did not strike out on night one and made a connection with Sam J., whom he eventually gave his rose to. However, Sam J. was forced to leave the beach leaving Aaron in a tough situation, scrambling to find a new connection. Aaron S. wasn't able to act fast enough, which left him without a rose and being sent home in Week 5.
Sean McLaughlin (Eliminated in Week 5)
This 26-year-old software sales representative from Troy, New York is hitting the beaches of Mexico to find his soulmate on Bachelor in Paradise Season 9.
Sean was previously a contestant on Charity's season of The Bachelorette (20) before getting sent home by week five.
Connecting quickly with a previous Bachelorette, Sean got with Rachel on the first night and she eventually accepted his rose. Sean has also been trying to keep his options open, pulling Jess away to express his interest, but it's not well received.
Failing to earn the affection of newcomer Sam P. after an attempt to present himself as a "mature" candidate flops, Sean is left without a rose and is sent home in Week 5.
Will Urena (Eliminated in Week 5)
Having taken a few years away from the franchise, Will returns to Bachelor in Paradise after being a contestant on The Bachelorette Season 18.
Will made it to week four before being sent home by Michelle Young. The academic interventionist from Grand Rapids, Michigan is looking to find his own person this season on Paradise.
He previously had a connection with Mercedes but now that has flamed out. This was solidified by Mercedes giving her rose to Tyler in Week 5, leading to Will's departure from Paradise.
John Buresh (Eliminated in Week 5)
Another returning man from Charity's season of The Bachelorette is John B. He made a big impact on the beaches of Paradise, taking Eliza on a date, which took her away from Aaron B., who previously appeared to be a steady couple on the beach.
Ultimately though, John B.'s return was shortlived, being left without a rose at the end of Week 5 that signaled his elimination.
Davia Bunch (Eliminated in Week 7)
Davia Bunch participated as a contestant in Zach's season of The Bachelor. After making it through four weeks during that season, she is now ready to mingle on this season of Bachelor in Paradise.
She immediately made a connection with Tanner, pulling him away from his previous connection to Kat.
Even though Davia went on the date with Tanner, he eventually chooses a different direction leaving Davia with no rose at the ceremony and packing her bags to head home.
Becca Serrano (Left in Week 7)
Formerly on The Bachelor Season 27 (for only one night), Becca has now joined in on the fun of Paradise as a late-season arrival.
She immediately catches the eye of Brayden, which hurts his connection to Rachel. However, Brayden and Becca ultimately go out on a successful date.
Before the men hand out their roses, Becca decides to leave Paradise before the ceremony and self-eliminates herself from the show.
Genevie Mayo (Eliminated in Week 7)
Genevie was on Zach's season of The Bachelor but only made It to week 4. She's not back on the beaches of Paradise to get a second chance at finding love.
Once arriving on the shores of Mexico she was given a date card and ultimately went on a romantic outing with Blake, who had previously been an item with Jess.
Despite a connection with Blake following their date, Genevie does not receive a rose at the ceremony and is sent home.
Bachelor in Paradise airs every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu the next day.
