The season 10 finale of Bachelor in Paradise began with five duos — and ended with two couples walking away with a combined $315,000.
During the Tuesday, September 2, finale, both Kathy and Keith and Bailey and Jeremy were sent packing at the final rose ceremony. The final three couples — Dale and Kat, Alexe and Andrew and Jess and Spencer — subsequently competed in an endurance competition for a guaranteed spot in “the final round” of the show and a shot at $500,000. After Alexe and Andrew won the strength challenge, the majority of the eliminated contestants returned to vote and decide whether a second couple deserved to move on. (If so, the two couples would both potentially win $250,000 instead of Alexe and Andrew getting the half a million to themselves.)
It didn’t take long for the cast reunion to take a turn as Sean and Allyshia accused Kat of having a secret boyfriend who she had been sending “love letters” to via a hidden laptop. While Dale stood by Kat, she stormed off crying. After the allegations were made, Dale addressed the group and insisted that their relationship was real. He then presented love letters of his own supposedly written by Kat. In the end, it wasn’t enough, and the group picked Jess and Spencer to appear in the final round with Alexe and Andrew.
After Kat and Dale left, it was revealed that the final relationship test was picking between money and love. If both of the contestants picked love, they would leave Paradise knowing that their relationship was “genuine” but would “potentially” be giving away a shot at any money. If one of them picked money and one picked love, the person who picked money would leave with $250,000. If both picked money, they would leave empty handed — and single! (The whole thing sort of felt like they were making up the rules as they came out of Jesse Palmer’s mouth.)
Despite attempts to make it seem like Alexe was seriously considering taking the money to pay off her student loans, both couples picked “love” — and both ended up with a cash prize.
Alexe and Andrew went first, opting to solidify their relationship and become girlfriend and boyfriend. Jesse then revealed they could pick one of three envelopes for a final shot at money (ABC really wanted to hand out this cash!) and Alexe and Andrew received $125,000.
Spencer and Jess, meanwhile, picked an envelope worth $190,000 — and then got engaged.
“Coming into Paradise, as you know, it’s been years since I loved someone and I really was starting to lose hope that that was in the cards for me — that was until the moment that I met you,” Spencer began before he got down on one knee. “Every room that you walk into is instantly brighter. You don’t know a stranger. You’re welcoming to everyone. And you always lead with honesty and what’s right, even when it’s something that’s not easy to do. I am so in love with you and you let me know the same. Jessica Taylor Edwards, would you make me the happiest man on the face of the planet and would you marry me?”
Jess quickly accepted and declared she’d never be happier in her life. “I just bagged the best guy on the face of the earth,” she gushed. “That man would move mountains for me. I truly believe that and I’m so ready to start our lives together.”
The BiP season 10 cast is set to reunite for a podcast titled “Bachelor in Paradise Unplugged” hosted by bartender Wells Adams. Part 1 is set to be released on Wednesday, September 3, at 11 p.m. ET.