“The sun had almost set. The summer was almost ruined. Paradise was almost lost… until it wasn’t.”
ABC’s trailer for “Bachelor in Paradise,” released Monday, addresses the season four controversy head-on, in the most tone-deaf way imaginable.
The “Bachelor” spinoff series returns Aug. 12, four days later than originally planned, following Warner Bros. temporarily shutting down production due to allegations of sexual misconduct involving contestants Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson. The show resumed rolling after the studio announced that the results of its investigation did “not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member.”
Watching the 30-second trailer, which opens with footage of a tropical storm, you’d think bad weather is what caused the show’s delay. Neither Olympios or Jackson appear in the spot — instead we’re greeted with tweets from fans devastated by “Bachelor in Paradise’s” rumored cancellation as the investigation was ongoing.
“I’M DEVASTATED,” one reads. “THE WORLD IS ENDING,” says another.
Iggy Rodriguez, from Rachel Lindsay’s season of “The Bachelorette,” then announces: “Paradise is back!”
Both Olympios and Jackson will appear on the “Bachelor in Paradise Special.” Other cast members include Amanda Stanton, Robby Hayes, Taylor Nolan, Raven Gates and Derek Peth.
During the investigation, Olympios had hired Hollywood attorney Marty Singer to represent her. Her own team conducted an investigation into the matter and later concluded it to her satisfaction, Olympios said. According to Stanton, the producers implemented stricter drinking rules following the scandal.
Watch the trailer below.