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‘Bachelor in Paradise’ recap: Vandergriff’s road to happily ever after continues

NHRA Top Fuel racer Jordan Vandergriff’s journey for love continued on last night’s episode of ABC-TV’s Bachelor in Paradise, and it was undoubtedly an episode to remember.
01 Dec 2023
Dominique Diaz, National Dragster Managing Editor
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Bachelor in Paradise

NHRA Top Fuel racer Jordan Vandergriff’s journey for love continued on last night’s episode of ABC-TV’s Bachelor in Paradise (BiP), and it was undoubtedly an episode to remember.

To quickly recap the previous episode of BiP, Vandergriff and Rachel Recchia went on a fun date that left us all wondering if she would give him her rose at the next rose ceremony, which would allow him to stay in Paradise and explore his connection with her more. 

Before every rose ceremony, there’s a cocktail party, where everyone can mingle and be sure of their connections and rose picks. During this time, Recchia assured Vandergriff that there was no one else she’d rather give her rose to.

Shortly after, when another contestant asked Vandergriff to tell them how he was feeling about Recchia, he shared, “We’re great friends, but is the romantic side for me there?” He went on to add that he didn’t know if he could get the romantic feelings he once had for her back. (Yes, this is about the time my eyes started widening because plot twist? After the conversation they just had?)

He then pulled Mercedes Northup aside for a one-on-one chat and revealed she was one of the girls he was interested in when he first came down to Paradise.

(It wasn’t on my bingo card, either. But I’m here for it.)

For brief context, Northup had just ended things with the person she was exploring a connection with in the same night, though after her conversation with Vandergriff, she told him, “It’s very easy talking to you.” So, could there be a lasting spark there?

When Northup was called to hand out her rose, she offered it to Vandergriff, who accepted with an “Absolutely.”

It feels important to share that because of this (and other reasons, I’m sure), when it was Recchia’s turn to hand out her rose, she stepped aside and made the decision to leave Paradise.

To reiterate what I’ve said before, all is fair in love and Paradise, and this episode really cemented that.

With only one episode left this season, will Vandergriff leave Bachelor in Paradise with a budding romance or…? Tune in to the finale Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET to find out.