Joey Kirchner sits with fellow cast member Vay Paquette in this photo provided by Bachelor in Paradise Canada on Citytv.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
The inaugural season of Bachelor in Paradise Canada ended Sunday night with only one couple (Brendan M. And Angela) leaving the beach together, but Redcliff’s Joey Kirchner, one of the 26 contestants, has no regrets about his time on the show.
“I wanted to give it a real shot,” Kirchner told the News. “I was at a point in time in my life where I was open to the idea of genuinely getting to know somebody and seeing where it goes. I just went in with an open heart and mind.”
Kirchner, who became a fan favourite throughout the season, left Paradise with fellow contestant Vay, however the pair revealed on After the Final Rose that their relationship ended shortly thereafter.
“I’m kind of just at the point now where it’s like I can’t hold on to any animosity or any negative feelings towards her,” said Kirchner. “I need to be able to move on with my own life and if I just sit and think about that too much I’m not going to be able to heal properly.”
He confessed that time has helped his healing process but he has no current plans to join the recently announced second season of Bachelor in Paradise Canada, though Bachelor Nation – the name for fans of the show – would likely love to see him on screen again.
“That was weird, eh? People really liked me,” laughed Kirchner. “I mean, it was nice and I’m so grateful for all the support that I received, especially from the home province ‘Berta … but, I don’t know, I was just trying to be myself and be a good person and so I’m glad that’s what came across and that people were able to relate in a certain way.”
Throughout his time on the show, Kirchner was as well-known for arriving in nothing but a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and a pink speedo as he was for his Alberta pride.
“I think for me, personally, just the type of upbringing I had in a small town in Alberta, it definitely shapes you different,” said Kirchner. “I think, just being able to have my boots on the ground, so to speak with my roots in Alberta, helped for me to stay grounded and stay rooted and true to who I am.”
Though Kirchner no longer lives in the province, he intends to visit frequently and he thanks the Medicine Hat and area residents for their support throughout his time on the show.
“I am so overly grateful for everybody for just tuning in and watching my shenanigans and enjoying them,” he said. “The amount of messages I’ve received from people from Alberta, Saskatchewan, from Nova Scotia and B.C. – from East Coast to West Coast – the amount of support that I’ve had is just unbelievable and it really humbles a guy … So, honestly, just thank you.”
