The drama on Bachelor in Paradise continues, and April Kirkwood found herself at the center of a controversial moment during the July 21 episode.
With the spotlight on her decision to give Jonathon Johnson her rose, April was humorously accused of living in “Cougartown” after she made the choice despite some tension brewing between Kat Izzo and Dale Moss.
Kat and Dale’s Relationship Unravels
The episode took a dramatic turn when Kat questioned her relationship with Dale Moss. At the start, the couple seemed solid, but things began to fall apart when Kat found out that Dale hadn’t been completely transparent with her.
During a conversation on the beach, Kat asked Dale if he would be open to exploring other connections if someone more attractive came along.
Dale responded that he wasn’t interested, but the conversation soon took an uncomfortable turn when Kat asked about Allie Jo, a contestant eliminated earlier in the season.
When Kat pressed further, asking if Dale had kissed Allie Jo outside of a challenge, his response shocked her: “One time.” This led Kat to feel uneasy, as she believed that Dale had not been honest about his actions, leaving her feeling betrayed. Despite his insistence that it wasn’t a big deal, Kat found herself questioning the trust in their relationship.
Jonathon and Kat’s Growing Connection
As the drama continued, Jonathon Johnson emerged as a potential new connection for Kat. During a private conversation, Jonathon told the cameras that he found Kat stunning and intelligent, and that she deserved someone who would make her feel safe and chosen.
Meanwhile, April Kirkwood, a 67-year-old contestant, also started to show interest in Jonathon, often making playful remarks about her feelings for him.
In a humorous moment, April leaned on Jonathon’s shoulder by the bar, gushing, “I love him.” The rest of the group laughed as Jonathon confessed that he would love to get a rose from April. However, just before the rose ceremony, April shared a kiss with fellow contestant Jack by the pool, further complicating things.
The Rose Ceremony
As the rose ceremony approached, Kat seemed torn between Dale and Jonathon. After an emotionally charged conversation with Dale, in which she felt her concerns weren’t being validated, Kat ultimately chose Dale for her rose, calling it a “sigh of relief” for him.
Meanwhile, April surprised everyone by giving her rose to Jonathon, offering him a chance to be “valued for what other people may not see, but I do.”
As April handed Jonathon the rose, Kathy Swarts joked, “I love you April, but you live in cougartown,” referring to April’s much older age and her playful flirtation with Jonathon.
Tensions Continue Between Kat and Dale
Following the ceremony, Kat and Dale’s communication issues continued to simmer. Kat attempted to make a joke about never wanting to hear the word “debted” again (a term Dale had used earlier), which sparked another argument between the couple.
Kat, feeling emotionally exhausted, told Dale that she couldn’t continue if they weren’t able to communicate properly.
Dale, frustrated, muttered under his breath that they came from “different backgrounds” and implied that he had been trying to protect their relationship by staying private about certain things.
Kat, clearly hurt by his inability to understand her perspective, walked away in tears, expressing to the other women, “I don’t want somebody that can’t communicate… I spent a lot of time to get to where I’m at to be able to communicate.”
Dale, alone in his room, confessed that he felt like “the best thing for me to do is just shut my mouth and be a doormat.”
Kat’s Final Thoughts
Kat’s emotional turmoil was evident as she shared with the other women that she didn’t know if she wanted to continue her relationship with Dale. “I don’t know if I wanna be with that man,” she said, further solidifying her doubts about their future together.
The July 21 episode of Bachelor in Paradise left viewers with more questions than answers as the drama between Kat and Dale unfolded, while April’s playful connection with Jonathon took center stage. With more twists ahead, it’s clear that paradise is far from perfect for these contestants, and the romantic tensions are only just beginning.
