‘Bachelor in Paradise’ star Kathy Swarts responds to Mel Owens backlash

Kathy Swarts stormed the collective conscience of Bachelor Nation in October 2023 when she said to Theresa Nist to “Ziper” during a group pickleball appointment The Golden Bachelor.

Now, the 72 -year -old retirement consultant from Texas again makes waves like the first gold competitor to take a look Baccalaureate in paradise. Weekly entertainment Grilled the grandmother without frills of three about her first impressions of paradise; Become flirting with Keith in the whirlpool; This scandalous secret which earned him the date card in the first place; His reaction to the comments of the new golden baccalaureate Mel Owens on women over 60 years old; And more.

Entertainment Weekly: What was your biggest reservation before paradise?

Kathy Swarts: Really, I had no booking to go to paradise. Who wouldn’t want to go to a beautiful seaside resort with air conditioning, by the way? Pool, ocean, wonderful people, the chance to find love. I do not know who would have reservations on this subject.

Would you have left if the show was still filmed at the Mexico complex without air conditioning?

I would probably do it. I live in Texas. Sweat is part of my day. [Laughs]

In the episode of last night, we saw that Aril was running with Kat. Who do you have room with and how did it go?

I have a room with Leslie and it was great because I knew about Single golden And we just had a good time. We laughed and had a good time.

Except when the bat is mounted in your room.

This bat had my name on it. “Let’s find Kathy!” And I couldn’t get out of this room fairly quickly. Interestingly, I live in Austin, where the largest colony of bats in North America in summer resides, and I really had the impression that it was as if someone was making a joke. Like, someone thinks it’s funny to bring one of Austin’s bats. So no, I did not appreciate this part of the paradise. [Laughs]

You got the date card, but not before revealing during the secret game that you slept once with another person in your home while your partner was in another room. Kathy, we need the full story here!

It is a very short story. The other person was my son, who was about two years old at the time, and my partner was in fact my husband. And why did I sleep with my 2 year old son? Because he was projectile vomiting. My husband had to go to work the next day and I put [my son] In bed with me and told my husband to sleep in the next room. I am a wordsmith and I wanted to win this match. Jesse Palmer said, “It’s going to be a big [prize]You really want to win this. “So I sat down and I thought, how can I win it? You are dealing with young people. What do young people talk about it and that you think. Sex. So I had to allude to the fact that there was something risky and it worked.

Young people always talk about competitors on their “list” before coming to paradise – who appeared on your list?

Well, you must remember that we only had one season of The Golden Bachelorette. So, really I was quite interested in meeting one of Joan’s competitors in his season, but especially for me, I would say that CK and Keith. These are the two that I really wanted to know.

You and Keith see you have a good time on your date. How would you assess chemistry and should we expect to see you more together in future episodes?

Well, you will certainly see yourself more of me in future episodes, but you will have to log into to see what is going on with Keith and me. I would say that he is a grandfather. There is a reason why this man has successfully raised three girls. He knows how to treat a woman.

The Goldens arrived ready to leave – we saw the flirt, the handing and kissing them on the first day. Who surprised you the most?

Well, I don’t know if you noticed it, but Natascha was sitting on RJ’s lap, oh I don’t know, 30 seconds after arrival on this catamaran. So she was absolutely no time knowing him. [Laughs]

Last month, the new golden single, Mel Owens, said he did not want to go out with women over 60 years of age. What would be your advice for him, because he will certainly meet a lot of women over 60 in the show?

I think that if Mel Owens met me – and I am over 70 years old – this line would not even be in his mouth. It would be like, “Whoa, I never knew that someone could be so fabulous over the age of 60, over 70 years.” I think he will be fine … I think Mel is a guy looking for love and I think he said something without really thinking about it. I don’t think he thought it. I think it’s going to be a great season. Personally, I cannot wait – unless I rush and take it. In this case, show yourself!

This interview has been modified for duration and clarity.

Baccalaureate in paradise is broadcast on Monday at 8 p.m. He / PT on ABC.