If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the chaos. The cast of Bachelor in Paradise 2025 isn’t just your standard collection of influencers looking for a tan. This year, the producers finally did it. They mashed together the young, messy favorites from Jenn Tran’s and Grant Ellis’s seasons with the surprisingly wholesome—and equally dramatic—alumni from the Golden franchise.
It’s the tenth season. A milestone. And honestly, it’s about time they changed the scenery from that same old beach in Mexico to the lush, humid coast of Costa Rica.
The Heavy Hitters: Jenn and Grant’s Alumni
Most people are tuning in to see the fallout from Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette. If you remember the finale, it was… a lot. Naturally, the men who didn't get the final rose are back to try again. Jonathon Johnson, the "medium king" himself, is a major fixture. He’s joined by Hakeem Moulton, whose high-energy reactions are basically made for Paradise meme fodder.
From Grant Ellis’s season, we’ve got Zoe McGrady and Alexe Godin. If you missed it, Alexe is the one who brought a llama to night one. Seriously. While the llama (Linda) didn't make the flight to Costa Rica, Alexe certainly brought the personality.
Then there are the "professional" Paradise dwellers. Justin Glaze is back for another round. Same with Kat Izzo. You’ve gotta wonder at what point it stops being a vacation and starts being a job, right? Kat, specifically, is coming off a broken engagement from Season 9, so the stakes are pretty high for her to find something that actually sticks this time.
The Golden Twist: Why the Cast of Bachelor in Paradise 2025 is Different
This is the part everyone is talking about. For the first time, we have "Goldens" on the beach. We aren't just talking about a cameo. We’re talking about Leslie Fhima and Gary Levingston actually looking for love alongside people forty years their junior.
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It sounds like a disaster on paper. In reality? It’s kind of fascinating. Watching Kathy Swarts (the "zip it" queen) navigate a beach full of 20-somethings who are obsessed with their follower counts is the kind of television we deserve.
The Golden cast includes:
- Leslie Fhima: The runner-up who had her heart broken by Gerry.
- Gary Levingston: The retired finance executive who just wants to tan and find a partner.
- Jack Lencioni: The chef who apparently spent half the time cooking for the other contestants.
- Faith Martin: A fan favorite who many thought should have been the first Golden Bachelorette.
The Full Official Roster (So Far)
The beach is a revolving door, but the initial group and the early arrivals set the tone for the entire summer. Spencer Conley and Jess Edwards emerged as an early "it" couple, which was a bit of a shock to some fans who didn't see that pairing coming.
The younger crowd is rounded out by:
- Jeremy Simon: The real estate investor from Jenn’s top four.
- Bailey Brown: The social media manager who famously put a wig on Grant.
- Sam McKinney: The contractor from Myrtle Beach who was definitely the "villain" of his season.
- Lexi Young: Who famously left Joey’s season because of their differing timelines on kids.
And the veterans:
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- Dale Moss: Yeah, that Dale Moss. The one who was engaged to Clare Crawley for about five minutes.
- Andrew Spencer: A Bachelor Nation darling who just can't seem to stay away from the beach.
Champagne Lounges and Costa Rican Heat
Jesse Palmer is back hosting, which is fine, he’s good at it. But the real news is Hannah Brown returning as the "Head of Paradise Relations." She’s running the new Champagne Lounge. It’s basically a VIP area where couples can go to get away from the cameras—or where the drama gets magnified.
Wells Adams is still behind the bar. Thank god. Without him, who would these people talk to? He’s basically the only adult in the room, even when the "Goldens" are present.
The shift to Costa Rica has changed the vibe. It’s rainier. It’s greener. The bugs are apparently a nightmare. You can see the sweat on the cast of Bachelor in Paradise 2025 in every high-def shot, and it makes everything feel a little more raw and a little less "produced."
Who Actually Makes It?
Look, we’re all here for the romance, but the track record for this show is... shaky.
Early reports from the beach suggest that the "Golden" contestants aren't just there for a paycheck. There are genuine connections happening between people like Keith Gordon and Kathy Swarts. It turns out that when you’re 60+, you don't have time for the games the younger kids play.
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On the flip side, the drama between Sam McKinney and Ricky Marinez over a "beach game" in the first week proves that some things never change. Men in their 20s will argue about anything when there’s a rose on the line.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the chaos without watching every single hour of television, here’s how to navigate the season:
- Watch the Rose Ceremonies closely: This year, the power shifts are more frequent. The "Goldens" enter around Week 3, and that’s when the social dynamics completely flip.
- Follow the "Paradise Relations" segments: Hannah Brown’s Champagne Lounge is where the actual "off-camera" conversations are being leaked.
- Check the filming location news: The move to Costa Rica wasn't just aesthetic; the weather played a huge role in several contestants deciding to "quit" early. If you see someone complaining about the rain, they’re probably gone by the next episode.
The cast of Bachelor in Paradise 2025 has managed to revive a franchise that was starting to feel a little stale. Whether it's the llama-loving Alexe or the heartbreak-hardened Leslie, there's a weirdly perfect mix of people this year. Just don't expect everyone to leave with a ring.
Keep an eye on the couples who survive the Week 7 "shuffle." That’s usually the point where the real relationships separate themselves from the people just trying to stay on TV for another week.
To get the most out of this season, focus your attention on the social media activity of the contestants post-filming. Contestants like Dale Moss and Kat Izzo are notorious for "soft-launching" their new partners (or lack thereof) while the show is still airing. Also, pay attention to the "Golden" cast members' Instagrams; they tend to be much more honest about who they're still talking to because they aren't as worried about their NDAs as the younger influencers are.