Let us begin by saying that consent (enthusiastic and consistent) is important. Always. And we’re glad to hear the producers and contestants on Bachelor In Paradise know this. 

You see, according to former contestant Jessica Brody, before engaging in any form of sexual intimacy with each other, contestants were required to provide clear consent. Every. Single. Time. 

Annoying? A little. 

Necessary? Important? Good? Yes, yes, yes. 

Jess popped into The Babble podcast to discuss all things Bachelor In Paradise, including how contestants give this explicit consent (to have sex or other) on the show. And it turns out it’s not a simple sign on the dotted line. 

“It’s not a sign, it’s an audio,” Jess said. 

“So you do it to a screen. So you say ‘I Jessica Brody consent to having blah blah blah.’”

Here’s the interesting part: 

“The thing is you have to do it regardless of whether you have sexual intimacy. So if you spend time together off camera, you have to do it,” Jess shared. 

Bottom line: if you’re on Bachelor In Paradise and you’re going to be alone (sex or no sex), you need to consent.

“So our little bathroom area, there’s no cameras in there, and Ciarran is awful at washing his hair, so we set up a little salon in him and Glen’s room, fully clothed. But we had to give consent to do that. 

“So Ciarran and I probably just gave consent every day because it was easier… and then it saves us having to do it later when things start to get a bit steamy.”

“What a mood kill!” Matty J responded. But Jess kept it real, saying: 

“Look, I relate it to putting on a condom. It’s something you have to do for safety, it’s a bit of a buzzkill but you do it for safety reasons and I totally get why we had to do it.” 

Like we said, consent is important. Even if you have to pause your fun to record a voice note. 

You can hear Jess’ full chat with The Babble below, including if she and Ciarran Stott are still mates after all the drama. 

Check out more episodes of The Babble on your favourite streaming platform – Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts  – or have a listen to the latest episode below. 

Images: Bachelor In Paradise. 

You’re not alone! Stay connected, join in on the fun, and keep up to date by listening live or catching up on your favourite shows and tunes. Listen here.