This Bachelor In Paradise Moment Was A “Gut Punch” For Brayden

During his short time on Charity Lawson’s Bachelorette season, Brayden Bowers often found himself at the center of drama with fellow suitors. Despite him scoring the First Impression Rose, several men took issue with Brayden and his criticisms of the Bachelorette format and process.

But rather than walk away from the franchise, he’s taken his energy (and earrings) to Bachelor in Paradise, begging the question: Why head to a beach populated by some of the same people who were, months ago, hostilely sending him home via party bus?

“I’ve always had the motto, ‘Do everything twice,’” Brayden tells Bustle. “You don’t know the first time.”

Coming off The Bachelorette, Brayden was in a “heated state,” but in the following weeks, he was able to get into a better mental space with help from loved ones. “My family was really one of the big proponents that encouraged me to go ahead and do it,” Brayden says of joining Paradise. “They said, ‘The beach is your wheelhouse, and you spend every day there anyway. You can meet someone cool in a natural environment.’”

Their prediction panned out. Brayden forged a connection with Kat Izzo, an alum from Zach Shallcross’ Bachelor season. But by the Oct. 5 episode’s end, their future looked uncertain. Kat mentioned other people she wanted to meet in Paradise, and next week’s promo suggests that she’ll explore new connections.

Below, Brayden talks about his Paradise journey, Kat, and why he’s not “for the streets.”

In these first few episodes of Paradise, you and Kat took to each other really well. Can you tell me about that connection?

At first, I didn’t realize her hate for the beach was real. I thought it was a joke. But despite hating the beach, one thing I found super endearing was that she didn’t let any of that hold her back. She was doing all the stuff that she hated, just because she was enjoying her time with me. She’s like, “I don’t want to get my hair wet.” And then all of a sudden, two seconds later, she’s jumping in the pool and swimming around.

During that truth session with Hannah Brown, Kat admitted there were a few other guys she hoped to meet. What was your mindset like in that moment?

I get it. That’s what this experience is about. I always told myself, I’m never gonna beg someone to love me. I wasn’t going to stop showing her who I was and hoping she loved who I was. It definitely was a little bit of a gut punch. It’s not great to hear that. You’d love to be able to say you came into someone’s world and made them forget about all the other dudes. But that’s not a reality. So I accepted it.

What are you excited — or worried — for people to see in coming weeks?

I’ve read some of the comments, and I’ve heard that I look like I’m “for the streets.” I don’t think I am for the streets. I’m dedicated to one person once I get to know them. I have a heart and feelings and emotions just like everyone else. That’s what I’m excited for people to get to see.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.