What Happened to Bachelor in Paradise Season 3?

Bachelor in Paradise Season 3 premiered on August 2, 2016, bringing together former contestants from 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette' for a second chance at love in Sayulita, Mexico. The season was notable for its dramatic moments, including the swift and controversial exit of Chad Johnson, who was removed by host Chris Harrison in Week 1 due to aggressive and belligerent behavior. Despite this early drama, the season concluded with three proposals, a higher success rate for engagements than many other seasons in the franchise.

The most prominent couples to emerge engaged were Carly Waddell and Evan Bass, Grant Kemp and Lace Morris, and Josh Murray and Amanda Stanton. While all three left Paradise engaged, the transition to real-world relationships proved challenging for most. Grant Kemp and Lace Morris, who even got matching 'Grace' tattoos, announced their split in November 2016, just two months after the finale aired, citing personal issues and timing. Josh Murray and Amanda Stanton also ended their engagement by December 2016/January 2017, with their breakup becoming notably messy, involving allegations of controlling behavior from Stanton against Murray and a dispute over a shared car.

The most enduring relationship from Season 3 was that of Carly Waddell and Evan Bass. Despite Carly's initial reluctance, their quirky romance blossomed, leading to an engagement on the show. They returned to 'Bachelor in Paradise' in June 2017 to get married during Season 4, becoming one of the few Bachelor Nation couples to tie the knot on the show. They welcomed two children, daughter Isabella 'Bella' in February 2018 and son Charles 'Charlie' in November 2019. However, their marriage ultimately ended, with the couple announcing their separation and divorce in December 2020, attributing the split to focusing more on their children than their relationship.

Beyond the engaged couples, other cast members also saw significant post-show developments. Nick Viall, who left Season 3 without a proposal, was famously announced as the next 'Bachelor' for Season 21 in August 2016. He got engaged to Vanessa Grimaldi on his season but they broke up in August 2017. Nick later found love outside the franchise, marrying Natalie Joy in April 2024 and welcoming a daughter in February 2024. In February 2026, they announced they are expecting twins. Chad Johnson, after his infamous exit, continued to make headlines, including an arrest in February 2020 for domestic violence, leading to a plea deal in August 2020 for vandalism and intimidating a witness, and a subsequent career in pornography.

As of March 2026, Carly Waddell, after her divorce from Evan Bass, became engaged to Todd Allen Tressler in late 2023 but called off that engagement by October 2025. She recently shared an update about impulsively cutting her hair in March 2026. Evan Bass is in a new relationship, having been publicly linked to Kristen Rodgers since at least June 2023. Lace Morris was expecting her first child in March 2024 with her partner Ryan Nelson. Josh Murray is currently focused on his real estate career. The season's legacy is a mix of fleeting romances and one significant, albeit ultimately failed, marriage, alongside the individual journeys of its memorable cast members.