91

NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

‘Bachelor in Paradise’ recap: Vandergriff’s journey for happily ever after continues

NHRA Top Fuel racer Jordan Vandergriff returned to Bachelor Nation as a contestant on ABC-TV'sBachelor in Paradise Thursday night, and fans are very excited to see him on their screens again.
17 Nov 2023
Dominique Diaz, National Dragster Managing Editor
Feature
‘Bachelor in Paradise’:

NHRA Top Fuel racer Jordan Vandergriff returned to Bachelor Nation as a contestant on ABC-TV'sBachelor in Paradise (BiP), and fans are very excited to see him on their screens again.

BiP is where former contestants of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette go for another chance at love. New people come in as others go home, and last night’s episode had Vandergriff’s big entrance.

“The nerves are up coming down here to Paradise, but I’m hoping to handle the nerves the same way I do in the race car,” said Vandergriff when he arrived.

As a quick recap, Vandergriff previously vied for love on Rachel Recchia’s season of The Bachelorette, where he was an immediate fan favorite. Unfortunately for him, he was sent home on their first one-on-one date.

(It’s our Roman Empire, too, Bachelor Nation.)

Well, Recchia has been on BiP since day one this season, and she’s currently exploring a connection with Tanner Courtad, who gave her his rose at the last rose ceremony, where if you’re connecting with someone and want them to stay, you give them your rose.

When Vandergriff walked onto the beach, they reunited with a friendly embrace and broke off from the group for a private conversation where they reflected on their short time together. Recchia apologized for sending him home so early and admitted she wished they “could’ve at least had a little bit of a chance.” Jordan’s response? “That’s in the past now, we’re here in Paradise.”

So, when Vandergriff gets a date card (it’s exactly what it sounds like), he asks Recchia to join him on the date, and she accepts. Couples yoga on the beach with laughter, eye contact, and kisses for their second first date? Yes, please. Total swoon.

“It’s like, ‘Hey’ — is there a gear in a race car? — like, ‘Let’s put things into gear with the race car driver,’ ” Recchia exclaimed after their date.

However, despite the seemingly wonderful date, after some self-reflecting and communication, Recchia decided she still wants to try with Courtad — for now. All is fair in love and paradise.

Later in the episode, there’s the first-ever BiP Comedy Roast, where everyone, well, roasts each other in pairs, complete with a stage and mic setup. Some roasts were funny, others not so much, and Vandergriff’s humor shined through.

Will Vandergriff get a rose and spend more time on the beach? Will he continue to explore a connection with Recchia or someone new? Tune in to Bachelor in Paradise Thursday, Nov. 30 at 9 p.m. EST to find out and watch where Vandergriff’s journey goes next.