When Brayden Bowers arrived in Mexico (confirming to Us that he had brought along 34 pairs of earrings), his sole purpose was to find someone who would love him unconditionally.
The 25-year-old reality TV star, known for his appearance on Charity Lawson's season of The Bachelorette, revealed to We that he was initially drawn to Kat Izzo for this very reason.
Brayden expressed his satisfaction with how Kat "accepted" him, stating that many people often try to dampen his uniqueness. He shared that when people meet him, they often suggest changing aspects of his appearance or personality to fit their expectations. This was the case with Kylee Russell, who suggested that he switch from wearing dangly earrings to studs. However, Kat's appreciation for his look without any desire for change made Brayden feel good, as he values someone who accepts him as he is.
In a separate interview with Us, Kat commended Brayden's "very eccentric personality," which she believes aligns well with her own vibe.
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His overall aura had a captivating charm that intrigued me. Our time together seemed filled with endless possibilities, and I was curious to see where it would lead. Being in his presence was always enjoyable, and I was looking forward to experiencing more of that. It's worth mentioning that when we first met, Charity's season of The Bachelorette hadn't aired yet.
While things escalated quickly between Brayden and Kat, Kat revealed during Hannah Brown's bonfire on the October 5 episode that she was expecting the arrival of Tyler Norris and Tanner Courtad in Paradise. When asked the same question, Brayden expressed that he was solely focused on Kat.
"I'm the type of person who, once I decide to get to know someone, I am dedicated to that individual. I don't handle dating multiple people well. The challenge in Paradise was trying to establish a genuine connection with someone while simultaneously getting to know multiple others," Brayden shared with Us. "For me, it was clear that I liked Kat and that we had a connection. I was determined to pursue that connection until its natural end, regardless of any other potential opportunities."
Tyler and Tanner make their official entrance in the trailer for the upcoming episode of BiP, set to air on Thursday, October 12. In a surprising turn of events, it seems that Kat agrees to go on a date with Tanner. Brayden, however, expresses his thoughts on the situation, stating, "I understand that Paradise is a place with no rules, but personally, I have my own principles, and I choose to adhere to them. While I can't expect others to do the same, it's a choice I make for myself."
Kat told Us that there is no specific strategy in Paradise. However, she expressed her desire to rely on her instincts and intuition. She mentioned that Tyler and Tanner are the type of guys she would typically be interested in outside of the show. Despite this, she acknowledged that it's still difficult to truly know someone's true nature. Kat emphasized that she remained open to exploring her emotions and going with the flow.
Despite Brayden's claim of having "no animosity" towards Kat, their recent activity on social media tells a different story. In response to Kat's tweet, where she expressed her surprise at someone being so obsessed with her actions and suggested they learn some manners, Brayden replied by informing her that her PR person advised her to remove the tweet as it contradicts the image she wants to project. When asked about the situation, Kat told us to ask Brayden because she has no knowledge of it. Brayden, on the other hand, stated that he was simply looking out for a fellow cast member and that it was all in good fun, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Despite his previous connection with Kat on the beach, Brayden appears to be interested in pursuing Rachel Recchia in upcoming episodes of the show. When asked about Rachel, Brayden spoke highly of her, describing her as a stunning, carefree, and intelligent woman. He specifically highlighted her profession as a pilot, which he finds incredibly cool. According to Brayden, there are very few negative traits that would discourage someone from dating Rachel, making her an overall amazing and great girl.
Brayden shared, "The journey will conclude with numerous intense and nerve-wracking rose ceremonies, similar to the one you witnessed. It was truly dreadful. Additionally, you will witness me grappling with other challenging situations, making it an exhilarating and unpredictable adventure."
On the other hand, Kat hinted at "even more heightened emotions" on her part, with the possibility of a joyful outcome. She expressed, "There is an abundance of love and it is an incredibly significant time for me."
Bachelor in Paradise airs on ABC Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET after The Golden Bachelor.