How Golden Bachelor’s Kathy Swarts Made Sure Connection With Keith Gordon Started on the Boat Over (Exclusive)

Golden Bachelor alum Kathy Swarts had her eyes set on Keith Gordon before officially asking him to the VIP suite on Bachelor in Paradise.

“My goal was to strategically pick a place on that catamaran where I could eyeball each and every guy, make sure they were eyeballing me,” Kathy, 72, exclusively told Us Weekly of her entrance in Costa Rica.

While the beach was full of several younger contestants, Kathy noted that she “wasn’t worried” about the OG Bachelor Nation alum. “I knew some of them coming in,” Kathy explained. “I could meet ’em all later. My goal right then was, ‘OK, Kathy’s here, pay attention.’”

Kathy, who appeared on Gerry Turner’s season 1 of The Golden Bachelor in 2023, explained that her connection with Keith began on the boat — where she was curious about him and fellow contestant Charles King.

“That’s when I had my eyes on Keith and CK,” Kathy said. “What is it? Shoot your shot? Yes, I heard that a million times. Don’t waste time. Get to work.”

Kathy explained that she and Keith had previously crossed paths on her and Susan Noles’ “Golden Hour” podcast, so she didn’t go into season 10 of Bachelor in Paradise “cold” — a.k.a without knowing any of her fellow contestants. Despite the initial introductions with some of them, Kathy noted it’s different to speak with someone on a podcast versus on the beach and saying, “Hey, I’m here in a bathing suit, look at me.”

In the Tuesday, July 15, episode of Bachelor in Paradise, Kathy selected Keith as her plus one for a trip to the VIP suite — where the pair drank champagne as she fed him strawberries.

“Keith is this great guy who I had met before. He’d been on my podcast. I’m sure you remember, he raised three daughters on his own. He has this way about him, this kindness, this balance of humor and emotional IQ,” Kathy gushed. “He’s just a great guy and I thought, you know what, let’s see if there’s something else there. Give him a little champagne, a little sit down in a hot tub and let’s see where it goes.”

While Kathy remained tight-lipped about her journey on the show with Keith, she teased, “You’re going to have to tune in and watch but I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”

Bachelor in Paradise airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.