Corinne Olympios’ return for ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ reunion is a total ratings grab

Corinne Olympios is returning for Bachelor in Paradise — sort of. The 24-year-old Miami business owner confirmed Wednesday that despite departing season four after the “sexual misconduct” scandal, she’ll be featured on the ABC reunion show.

“I am very happy to be appearing on the Bachelor in Paradise special,” she said in a statement to Us Weekly.

We’re calling her return what it is — a total ratings grab by the network.

The sexual misconduct allegations from June involving cast members Olympios and DeMario Jackson were serious enough to shut down production on the Sayulita, Mexico, set. According to reports, a producer on the reality series was uncomfortable with cameras filming a graphic pool-side hookup between Olympios, a contestant from Nick Viall’s season of The Bachelor, and Jackson, a cast-off from Rachel Lindsay’s current season of The Bachelorette. Warner Bros. opened an investigation into the allegations but ultimately found no evidence of “misconduct.” Filming resumed sans Olympios and Jackson, who both opted not to rejoin the cast.

So, why are Olympios and Jackson returning for the reunion? Jackson announced his decision to appear earlier in July, explaining to TMZ that he “owes it” to his costars, who had been “supportive” throughout the entire scandal. He claimed he wanted to use the opportunity to thank them in person, not to confront Olympios about what happened. But what’s Olympios’ reason for joining the reunion show? Did she decide to return on her own accord? Or was she coaxed by producers? Right now, it’s unclear.

Based on previous reports about how Bachelor in Paradise will be addressing the scandal on air, it seems like ABC is hoping to lure in viewers with the drama.

According to blogger Reality Steve, host Chris Harrison had a “sit-down” with the cast when they returned for filming. Harrison reportedly used the time to explain the new rules that are in place to curb drunken hookups. TMZ reported that Harrison also “dramatically recounted” the sexual misconduct allegations and gave the cast members a chance to leave if they were not “comfortable continuing.”

Season four of Bachelor in Paradise isn’t about finding love. It’s a circus with the hope of making money on a sex scandal that already resulted in two contestants getting hurt.

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