Ahead of 'Bachelor in Paradise' premiere, Wells Adams and Hannah Brown spill all
Hannah Brown, a former "Bachelorette" and darling of the franchise, joins Wells Adams (another ex-contestant) as they serve up welcome drinks and sometimes unwelcome advice to the show's new cast. "Paradise," the spinoff of ABC's "Bachelor" franchise, returns July 7 (Mondays at 8 ET/PT).
"When I got the call if I was interested to come back, I almost felt like it was a beautiful, redemptive full-circle thing," Brown said at a July 2 cocktail party celebrating the upcoming season. "I wouldn't have been able to do all the things that I've been able to do if it wasn't for Bachelor Nation."
Brown, who hosts the series' newly created Champagne Lounge, hopes to offer the cast – this year a mix of young contestants and older singles from the show's "Golden" spinoffs – some hard-earned wisdom from her time as a lead.
Body shots and age-gap relationships: New 'Bachelor in Paradise' season promises intrigue
"I have learned so much about myself. I really do feel like if I would have known the things I know now… that I would have done things a lot differently and maybe could have had a different ending to my story," Brown, 30, confesses. Her stint on "The Bachelorette" did not result in lasting love after she turned down fan favorite Tyler Cameron for Jed Wyatt, who was reportedly in a relationship during casting for the show.
Brown, now happily engaged and comfortable watching the reality-TV tomfoolery from afar, says she tried to encourage the contestants not to perform too much for the cameras.
"The most frustrating thing for me is when they filter themselves," she said. "I hate to see people hold back because of what they think everything will look like months from now."
Wells Adams says 'Bachelor in Paradise' should always have 'Golden' contestants
Back for yet another season behind the bar, Adams says adding older contestants from the franchise's "Golden Bachelor" and "Golden Bachelorette" added a new depth to the show.
'Honestly, them being there is like the best thing that has ever happened in 'Paradise,'" he says. "They brought so much energy, so much fun, and now I can't imagine 'Paradise' without them there."
As for a whole new set of bodies to serve, Adams said the elders didn't put too much of a strain on his bartending workflow, because they rarely ordered mixed drinks. 'They drank a lot more," he said, but "they are seasoned. They know how to drink. They all drank like old people drink, which is to avoid a hangover."
Brown was also impressed by the liveliness of the older cast. "They're sometimes more fun than the young contestants," she quipped. "They sometimes let loose."
"Bachelor in Paradise" re-enters an already tilled environment for sun-soaked reality TV dating as Peacock's "Love Island USA" continues to captivate fans. But Adams' faith in the "Bachelor" formula remains strong as ever.
"Love Island stole our idea, so they're imposters," he jokes, before striking a more serious tone. "The difference is that you know the people who are coming to 'Paradise'; you've met them before," he explains.
"Paradise" draws from a pool of former contestants whom viewers recognize from "Bachelor" or "Bachelorette" seasons, bringing them to a beach to mingle, date, and possibly get down on one knee by the end of the summer. "Love Island" introduces new faces and allows both cast members and viewers to vote contestants off the island, or to let them stay.
"You're invested in their story, you remember them being heartbroken," Adams says, arguing it's that strategy that allows the audience to root for a redemption arc or second chance at love.
When is 'Bachelor in Paradise' coming on?
The new "Bachelor in Paradise" season will premiere July 7 at 8 ET/PT on ABC.
New episodes premiere Mondays at 8 ET/PT and stream the next day on Hulu.
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