After Scandal, ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Plunges Into the Unknown—’There’s a Rawness to This Season’

BACHELOR IN PARADISE - JACK STONE, AMANDA STANTON
Paul Hebert/ABC

Even before the premiere, Paradise has achieved its most dramatic season ever. The series—which documents franchise alums (like Jack Stone and Amanda Stanton, above) throwing down in Mexico—temporarily halted production in June amid allegations of an inappropriate sexual encounter between two contestants. An investigation found no evidence of misconduct, and now that the fiesta is back in full swing, they won’t be sweeping scandal under the beach blanket.

“We’ve never done a restart before, so there’s no blueprint,” admits host Chris Harrison, noting that the show may pack a vérité punch. “There’s a rawness to this, and I’m very interested to see how it’ll play with Bachelor Nation,” he says. “The unknown scares the hell out of me!”

Bachelor in Paradise, Season Premiere, Monday, Aug. 14, 8/7c, ABC