This summer, some Jewish contestants have booked a ticket to paradise.
“Bachelor in Paradise” season 10 began last week, and there are at least four Jewish contestants: Jeremy Simon, Leslie Fhima, Kathy Swarts and Alli Jo Hinkes. Fans of “Bachelor Nation” last saw Jeremy on Jenn Tran’s season of “The Bachelorette,” and Alli Jo took part in Grant Ellis’ season of “The Bachelor.” Meanwhile Leslie and Kathy both took part in the first-ever season of “The Golden Bachelor.” While it’s still early on in the season, a teaser trailer for the show seems to promise that at least Jeremy will get some serious screentime. (And maybe find the girl he can take home for Passover?)
Meanwhile, Leslie and Kathy are part of the inaugural cast of Golden contestants who arrived in Paradise just last night. Since the show keeps touting just how historic the Goldens’ inclusion is, hopefully for Jewish fans this means that Leslie and Kathy will also get some moments in the spotlight.
While we wait for the season to play out, here’s what we know about Leslie, Jeremy, Kathy and Alli Jo:
Leslie Fhima
Leslie stole our hearts on the first season of “The Golden Bachelor.” The 66-year-old fitness instructor from Minneapolis has three kids — Elijah, Chloe and Zack — and is a “glama” to grandkids Jackson, Sofia and Yoseph. At 25, Leslie was a national aerobics champion and she has run at least 10 marathons. Oh, and did I mention that she dated PRINCE? Yeah, Leslie dated Prince and broke up with him.
Excitingly, Leslie wasn’t afraid to show her Jewish pride on “The Golden Bachelor.” She wore a Star of David necklace whether she was on a one-on-one ATV date or giving viewers the lowdown on “After the Final Rose.” She even hilariously led some of the other women in Hava Nagila water aerobics!
Despite telling her he loved her and that he thought she was “the one,” Golden Bachelor Gerry brutally dumped Leslie before picking his now ex-wife Theresa. But Leslie is ready to continue her journey to find the one with “Bachelor in Paradise.” And based on the teaser trailer, it looks like Leslie packed her Star of David necklace again.
Jeremy Simon
Jeremy made it to the hometowns episode on season 21 of “The Bachelorette” before Jenn Tran dumped him in favor of Jonathon Johnson, Marcus Shoberg and Devin Strader. During his time on the show, the 31-year-old real estate broker explained to Jenn that being Jewish is very important to him and the two talked about the potential of having Jewish-Buddhist kids. He also dropped his ancestral connection to Lithuanian rabbi Avraham Dov-Ber Kahana Shapiro, who died in the Kovno Ghetto during the Holocaust.
On the first episode of “Paradise,” Jeremy accepted a rose from Bailey Brown. However, he’s stated that he wants to both continue exploring their connection and connections with other people. And last night, Jeremy started a spark with Susie Evans. Who will he end up with? Only time will tell!
Kathy Swarts
Despite an exit on week four of “The Golden Bachelor,” Kathy is ready for another adventure this season in “Paradise.” Though Kathy’s Jewishness didn’t really come up on “The Golden Bachelor,” she has spoken with ABC’s “On the Red Carpet” about being “half Jewish” and the Jewish way she celebrates Christmas:
@ontheredcarpet Instead of seven kinds of fish like @susannoles1957, Kathy Swarts would rather eat a bagel with cream cheese and lox (no capers!) for Christmas dinner. @goldenbachabc #TheGoldenBachelor
Alli Jo Hinkes
31-year-old boxing trainer Alli Jo was eliminated during the third week of “Bachelor” 29, so viewers didn’t really get a chance to meet her the first time around. (Though during her short time she did get into a confrontation with Zoe McGrady, who is also now in Paradise.)
“I’m Alli Jo — Jewish, Jersey and a Scorpio,” she says in her intro in episode two. “Which means I’m loyal, stubborn and not afraid to say what everyone else is thinking.”
Sadly, Alli Jo was eliminated in the third episode after failing to snag a rose from one of the men. “My time in paradise was short and sweet — just like me,” Alli Jo wrote on Instagram. “I may not have found love on the beach, but I know my person is out there… and the story is just beginning”
We wish all four of these contestants good luck on this season of “Bachelor in Paradise!”
