If you thought the beach was already at peak drama, think again. But, if Tia Booth's Bachelor in Paradise history is any indication, then we really haven't seen anything yet. Bach Gods love her, but that woman just isn't made for Paradise.
Tia was first introduced to Bach Nation on Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s season of The Bachelor in 2018. She made it all the way to hometowns, but was sent home before the Fantasy Suites. She built up a sizable fanbase from her time on The Bachelor. She's bubbly, sweet, and has a cute Southern accent. (Honestly, what's not to love about Tia?) But it wasn't until Bachelor in Paradise that she earned her place in Bach history as having one of the most dramatic, frustrating, and heartbreaking relationships ever seen on BiP.
Bachelor In Paradise Season 5
The year is 2018, and Tia has her eyes set on one man in Paradise: Colton Underwood. It's awkward AF because Tia and Colton had a brief fling the year before — after Tia competed on Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s season, but pre-Colton competing on Becca Kuffrin's Bachelorette season — and Tia is still holding onto some feelings. So, she latches on early and makes it known that she wants to see if they can make it work. Things...do not go well.
From the very moment Colton stepped on that beach, it was obvious that this would not work out the way Tia hoped. First, he pulled every girl on the beach but her. Then, when they finally went on a 1-on-1, Tia's BFF Raven visited and could tell that Colton was holding something back. And she was right. When Tia told Colton that she wanted to be Colton's "first and best option" on the beach, his reaction was underwhelming. It was clear he was trying to think himself into feeling more for her than he did, even as he called her his "girlfriend."
Even after they became official, Colton still couldn't commit. He just wasn't feeling it. And, in retrospect, it's clear why. Colton came out as gay in April of 2021. (Tia posted in support of her ex, making clear she'd moved on from the BiP drama.) Oh, and there was crying — lots and lots of crying.
In the end, Tia's determination to hang on to Colton cost her a fun summer in Paradise, and it was, honestly, one of the most painful relationships I've ever seen on BiP. It was truly like watching a car crash in slow motion.
Post-BiP
After her experience on BiP, Tia took a step back from Bach Nation, and dated a normie, Chris Cooper, for a year before calling it quits in October of 2019. Now she's back for another turn in Paradise, hoping to find love.
Tia has had a very emotional time on the Bach franchise so far, and as much as I'm hoping this time around will be more drama free for her, I'm not holding out hope. The first promo teasing her arrival sees her going on a date with Kenny, who is already in the middle of a heated love triangle with Mari and Demi.
I hope Wells has a stash of tissues behind that bar. He's gonna need them.
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