“It Wasn’t Meant to Hurt Him — But I Meant Every Word”: Bachelor in Paradise’s April Kirkwood Breaks Down the Real Story Behind That Explosive Comment to Jonathon

A Bachelor in Paradise season 10 star revealed the truth behind her shocking and seemingly risqué comment to Jonathon Johnson. During Bachelor in Paradise season 10, episode 3, after the Golden contestants arrived, April, who got her start in Gerry Turner's Golden Bachelor season, and Jonathon, who placed third during Jenn Tran's Bachelorette season, were seen saying good night to each other.

April told Jonathon, "Second door to the right. If you need me." A surprised Jonathon later told Parisa Shifteh and Brian Autz what she said. Although April had a connection with Jack Lencioni, and they even shared a few kisses, she gave Jonathon her rose at the rose ceremony because he didn't have any connections with any of the younger contestants.

In an interview with Extra (shared via Instagram), April revealed the truth behind her flirty comment to Jonathon, stating that it wasn't what it appeared to be on the show. She said, "I will tell you, I did not say what he heard. I was alluding to something from Peter Pan. Which was, 'Second star to the right, straight on till morning. That's where you'll find me.' [Laughs]."

April went on to say, "So when I saw that on the screen, I'm like, 'Is that what he [thought]?!' Typical men. Men, men, men, men, men. I was gonna spank him. Not in a good way. I'm like, 'Second star to the right, straight on till morning. That's where you'll find me.' I'm a fairy!"

April also explained the reason behind why she was inspired to give Jonathon her rose at the rose ceremony. She said, "When I was standing there looking at all the men--I'm pretty intuitive--and I didn't really feel that my true love, my beloved, who isn't a certain age, isn't a certain look, but he wasn't there."

April then detailed why she decided to give Jonathon her rose. She stated, "And I just felt, 'I have this rose. I have this power. What can I do with it that's good?' And then I see poor Jonathon, who's, like, [pouting]."

April continued, "And there and then, my teacher/guidance counselor tapped in, and I thought, 'I'm gonna give this kid another opportunity to find love. There will be more people coming. And I'm still in, so I might meet more people too.'"

April concluded by saying that she was glad that she gave Jonathon her rose. She said, "So it was a win-win, until I saw Jesse and some of the other people go [gasps]. [Laughs]. Then I thought, 'Oh, what did I do?' But I'm still happy I did it. I'm still happy."

What April’s Explanation Means For Bachelor In Paradise

Jonathon's Misunderstanding Made For Good TV

April's explanation of her comment to Jonathon implies that the Bachelor in Paradise producers manipulated the footage of what she said to match what Jonathon thought he heard. In the episode, she clearly said, "Second door to the right," and not "star," but the franchise's producers have been known to leave out or even manipulate people's words in the past to match their narrative.

Whatever April's comment actually was, Jonathon obviously misunderstood the intention behind it. However, it made for some good TV as many fans had been wondering if a romance would develop between any of the younger and Golden contestants.

April's flirty behavior with Jonathon the next day, as she pretended to be a cat and purred into his chest, also hinted at a connection between them. In addition, Jonathon had admitted in one of the Bachelor in Paradise season 10 games that he'd once hooked up with someone 25 years older than him, so a relationship between him and April seemed possible.

However, when April gave Jonathon her rose, she made it clear that it was completely platonic. She simply wanted to give him another chance to find love.

Our Take On April Claiming She Wasn’t Trying To Flirt With Jonathon

April's Comment Seems To Have Been Twisted By The Show

I believe April's assertion that there was more to the story when it came to her seemingly flirting with Jonathon. April is 67, and Jonathon's 28, so there's an almost 20-year age gap between them. I feel that April was serious about finding love on Bachelor in Paradise, so she wouldn't have wasted her time getting into a romance that would most likely lead nowhere.

I've been a Bachelor franchise fan for over two decades, so I know that the producers sometimes manipulate things in order to create a storyline. I wish that the show had aired the truth about April and Jonathon's connection, which was more of a mentor-type relationship. When April said that her guidance counselor instincts came out, it seemed that she was protective of Jonathon.

I wish that Bachelor in Paradise didn't resort to twisting April's words in order to make up a story for Jonathon. When he misunderstood her, the producers could've shown her actual comment from Peter Pan to show that she wasn't really trying to flirt with him. However, I think that April made her intentions clear during the rose ceremony when she saved Jonathon, and it was a beautiful moment.