When it comes to tropical reality dating shows, Bachelor in Paradise used to be one of the top options. Now, however, there’s so much competition, from Peacock’s Love Island to Netflix shows like Too Hot to Handle. The Bachelor spinoff returned to the 2025 TV schedule this month with a more elevated feel, but it wasn’t enough to impress at least one Bachelor Nation alum. Tanner Tolbert didn’t hold back his critiques of ABC’s series, but I don’t agree with everything he said.
We first met Tanner Tolbert on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of The Bachelorette before he joined Bachelor in Paradise Season 2. There he met Jade Roper, and the two have been married since 2016. The couple may have sentimental attachment to the franchise for bringing them together, but Tolbert’s got nothing good to say about BIP 10, saying on his Instagram Stories (via Swooon):
Bachelor in Paradise is now ‘TEMU Love Island.’ … These new producers are just trying to copy Love Island but executing it poorly. The new location is silly. Either get a badass villa if ur gonna copy Love Island…or stay in ‘paradise.’ This generic resort falls short somewhere in the middle. Very stale feeling.
Peacock subscription) has really dominated a lot of the reality dating show conversation, pulling in big viewership numbers for its streaming service. I’m sure new Bachelor in Paradise showrunner Scott Teti is trying to update ABC’s show to look more like that and other streaming series, and I see that as a very good thing.
spoke out against the inclusion of Golden cast members, saying on social media that she would have been “very uncomfortable having six old men trying to hit on me constantly.”
I respect that and feel everyone’s comfort and safety should be considered. However, from what I’ve seen of the Goldens on Paradise so far, I think they’re the life of the party, and I am already obsessed with one (non-romantic) pairing.
Tune in to see if you agree with Tanner Tolbert and Jade Roper when Bachelor in Paradise Season 10 continues at 8 p.m. ET Monday, July 21, on ABC and streaming the next day with a Hulu subscription.