Although Bachelor in Paradise season 8 has been full of entertainment and drama since it premiered in September, several Bachelor Nation stars have criticized ABC's newest season over the past few months. Since its inception in 2014, dozens of previous contestants from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have attempted to find love again in the elimination-style dating competition series. Although several Bachelor in Paradise stars have won the series and left the beach engaged, most couples, like other reality programs, eventually split up.
While viewers were excited for the series to return with Jesse Palmer and Wells Adams as host and bartender, respectively, Bachelor in Paradise season 8's ratings quickly dropped. Despite many familiar faces and initial sparks made, such as Brandon Jones and Serene Russell, fans of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette spin-off have been unimpressed with several contestants like Kate Gallivan and Kira Mengistu, who left with Romeo Alexander early on. It's not just viewers who have criticized Bachelor in Paradise season 8, as several Bachelor Nation stars have thrown shade at the recent season. Whether former ABC contestants have had problems with their production crew or the current cast members, Bachelor Nation stars had a lot to say about Bachelor in Paradise season 8.
Mari Pepin From Bachelor In Paradise Season 7
Mariela "Mari" Pepin briefly got to know Matt James on The Bachelor season 25 before she appeared on Bachelor in Paradise season 7 in 2021. While on the beach, Mari bonded with Kenny Braasch from The Bachelorette season 24, and the two successfully left engaged at the end of the season. Mari and Kenny have remained happily together since and are grateful they met on the show, but in an interview with ET, Mari explained why she wouldn't have joined Bachelor in Paradise season 8 in hindsight. "There was so much drama and lots of competition too," Mari said. "I’m glad that we are where we are on the other side of it and getting to watch them."
Teddi Wright From Bachelor In Paradise Season 8
Teddi Wright was a contestant on The Bachelor season 26 before she was cast this season. Although Teddi formed an initial connection with Andrew Spencer from The Bachelorette season 17, it surprised viewers when Teddi abruptly quit Bachelor in Paradise season 8. While Teddi appeared to leave after her first date with Andrew didn't meet her expectations, an Instagram post from Teddi implied that she left the beach over problems with the production crew. "Something I’m proud of learning: leaving environments that are cruel to me & the people around me," Teddi captioned. "Sticking to my boundaries no matter how many times people in authority try to cross them."
Peter Weber From The Bachelor Season 24
Peter Weber was introduced on The Bachelorette season 15 before he was chosen to lead The Bachelor season 24. Although Peter proposed to Hannah Sluss at the end of the season, the short-lived couple broke up soon after. In an interview with Us Weekly in June, it revealed that while Peter was scouted for BIP season 8, he declined the offer last minute over disputes with ABC. “I was actually going to do Bachelor in Paradise. I was going to do it. We just couldn’t agree on a contract at the end of the day is what it came down to," Peter explained, and later added, “I didn’t want to put myself in that limelight that kind of naturally comes from being part of the franchise right now." Bachelor in Paradise season 8 was full of drama from day one, but despite its fallen ratings, it doesn't appear that ABC will scrap the series anytime soon.
Bachelor in Paradise airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Sources: ET, Teddi Wright/ Instagram, Us Weekly