A big bag of cash in the middle of Costa Rica might not have had the effect that Bachelor in Paradise producers were hoping for.
“A lot of people looked at it like, ‘It’s cheapening our relationship,’” contestant Jonathon Johnson told Us Weekly in an exclusive interview about the twist.
Despite his costars’ concerns, Jonathon, 28, didn’t agree.
“That’s not the point of competing for $500,000. You’re locked in with your person. You have all this time to get to know each other now — you can fall for your person and win however much money,” he said. “I was very adamant about like, ‘Hey, whether you’re with somebody or you’re not with somebody, there’s still $500,000 on the line at the end of it. Like, take advantage of it because anybody back home would do the same.’ Nobody’s gonna think you’re cheapening your relationship or that you’re just in it for [money].”
Jonathon noted that the show introduced the money twist “halfway through” the filming of season 10 of BiP, meaning the intentions of the beachgoers shouldn’t be questioned by the audience. (The show also features a series of “chemistry tests” for the first time, with details of how exactly the cast will be eligible to win the money still TBD.)
“It’s time to have fun and see what we can accomplish here,” Jonathon said. “People were afraid to talk about the money a little bit, but with everything that was happening, I was like, ‘No, there’s a lot of money on the line. Talk about it, get to know your person, get that connection, enjoy your time, have fun. It’s still Paradise!’”
The Monday, July 28, episode of BiP introduces Lea Cayanan — who may be a match for Jonathon.
“We were friends beforehand and our relationship is as fun as it is dramatic,” he told Us. “I think she should have been on Paradise much, much sooner because she adds such a fun dynamic to everything that goes on.”
Golden Bachelor alums Nancy Hulkower and Faith Martin also arrive in Paradise on Monday’s episode.
“They really bring new competition for all of us,” April Kirkwood told Us. “It was like, you know, the lights came back on. When it’s 2 o’clock in the morning in the bars [and] you’re all having fun and then the lights go on and they go, ‘Everybody last call, last call!’ And then they look at me, ‘You made it worse.’”
April, 67, upset some of her fellow Golden women for picking Jonathon to give a rose to instead of one of the Golden Bachelorette men on the July 21 episode.
“They bring a different flavor,” she added of Nancy, 62, and Faith, 62. “They each have a diverse personality, and I think you’re gonna be enlightened and surprised by some of the new stuff they’re doing.”
Bachelor in Paradise airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
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