ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise” is back for its delayed fourth season, and the returning cast members are offering their thoughts on the scandal that led production to temporarily shutdown.
On Tuesday’s second part of the Season 4 premiere, host Chris Harrison addressed the cast during a somber meeting after Warner Bros. briefly putting a halt to filming in June. Following allegations of misconduct, the studio’s investigation determined there was no wrongdoing in a much-debated sexual encounter between Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see everybody back here in Paradise,” Harrison told the cast, minus Olympios and Jackson, who did not return. “I hope everybody is ready to get back into Paradise and hopefully get back into the business of finding love.”
Harrison added that he wanted to have a “serious talk” about the allegations. He did not mention specifics of what happened between Olympios and Jackson, and ABC has decided not to air footage of the incident. But he asked the contestants if they agreed with Warner Bros.’ findings, and the consensus appeared unanimous that the result of the investigation is to be trusted.
“I was confident that nothing happened between DeMario and Corinne that was bad,” Raven Gates said.
Harrison asked the cast if they felt that race played a role in the scandal, and all respondents appeared to feel that it was indeed a factor.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Nick Benvenutti said about race playing a role.
Gates added that although she supported Jackson, she was not “slut-shaming” Olympios. She said that she herself was previously in an abusive relationship, and she hopes that the “Paradise” situation does not deter “actual victims” from speaking out.
Harrison then said that each contestant has a say in whether the season should resume, and that a majority vote was required to move forward. As it turned out, each person voted to continue.
“Bachelor in Paradise” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
'The Bachelor': 9 Most Awkward Hometown Dates (Photos)
Take a look back at the most awkward hometown dates before Nick Viall meets the families of the last four women.
ABC
Sean Lowe and Desiree Hartsock ("Bachelor" Season 17) When Sean Lowe visited Desiree Hartsock's home in 2013, her brother didn't shy away from telling him how he really felt. "So far from being here, what I've seen from you, I believe that she's really into you, but you're not into her," Hartsock's brother said, adding that he thinks Lowe is a playboy.
ABC
JoJo Fletcher and Ben Higgins ("Bachelor" Season 20) Despite Ben Higgins being grilled by JoJo Fletcher's family on her hometown date, the date started off on the wrong foot even before Higgins arrived. Before he got to Fletcher's Dallas home, Fletcher talked to her ex-boyfriend Chad on the phone which left her very emotional, and her entire date with Higgins consisted of her talking about Chad. In retrospect, Higgins said he was absolutely sure she would break up with him and get back with her ex.
ABC
Kirk DeWindt and Ali Fedotowsky ("Bachelorette" Season 6) Kirk DeWindt's dad took Ali Fedotowsky on a basement tour, where all his dead animals were located and mounted on walls. Kirk did not survive that week's rose ceremony, but at least he wasn't added to the family trophy collection.
ABC
Naomi Crespo and Jason Mesnick ("Bachelor" Season 13) When Naomi Crespo took Jason Mesnick home in 2009, her mother dramatically told a tale of a dove hitting her windshield. However, she finished the story by producing the dead bird in a paper bag which had been hulled up in a freezer until she had her daughter's suitor home to help bury and eulogize the bird. He did, and later, her dad gave Jason (a Jew) a Bible lesson, saying if he wouldn't believe in Jesus, his marriage would be doomed.
ABC
Tenley Molzahn and Jake Pavelka ("Bachelor" Season 14)
When Tenley Molzahn brought Jake Pavelka home, she decided to share her love for dancing with him. However, she didn't dance with him but for him, and everyone (including Jake) was super uncomfortable.
ABC
Vienna Girardi and Jake Pavelka ("Bachelor" Season 14) After Vienna Girardi's dad told Jake Pavelka his daughter needed to be treated like a princess, he busted into the room while Jake and Vienna were cuddling on her bed, reminding them he was "right outside the door."
ABC
Amanda Stanton and Ben Higgins ("Bachelor" Season 20) Amanda Stanton took Ben Higgins home to meet her daughters, Charlie and Kinsley and it was the sweetest reunion -- which quickly turned sinister when Ben realized how difficult it was for Amanda to keep her kids happy and in control in a van. And although it was super important for Amanda to have Ben meet her children, he dumped her the following week.
ABC
Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff ("Bachelor" season 19) Chris Soules arrived in Chicago and Whitney Bischoff immediately asked him whether he wanted to make a baby. Of course, that was her transition to taking him to her job at a fertility office. Later, she made him think he was going to give his sperm ... which he didn't seem too opposed to.
ABC
Matt Grant and Amanda Rantuccio ("Bachelor" Season 12) Matt Grant went to meet Amanda Rantuccio's family in Tallahassee, Florida, where she decided to hire actors to play her parents. Among other awkward moments, Rantuccio's fake mom asked Matt to flex for her and flirted with him, while rubbing his nipple and leaning in to kiss him. When Rantuccio decided to let Grant in on the prank, he said: "I was just speechless for a few seconds. I can't believe I got done like that. I can't believe I fell for it ... That was very, very funny even though it was at my expense."
ABC
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From ex-boyfriends to fertility clinics, see which hometown dates have been the most uncomfortable on “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette”
Take a look back at the most awkward hometown dates before Nick Viall meets the families of the last four women.
ABC
ABC
