Bachelor in Paradise "zaddy" Michael Allio has dished about his early connection with Sierra Jackson and how they didn't waste any time diving deep with each other on Season 8.
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Michael, a single father who initially competed for Katie Thurston's heart on The Bachelorette's seventh season, found a connection on the Paradise beach in Mexico almost immediately with Sierra, a Dallas-based yoga instructor who appeared on The Bachelor's 26th season starring Clayton Echard.
"Sierra is somebody that if you've ever met her, she just has so much energy," Michael shared. "I mean, one, she is gorgeous and just incredibly beautiful -- inside and out, too."
Michael said "the stars aligned" for him to look for love on Bachelor in Paradise this year because he was in a positive mental state and his young son, James, seemed content and prepared to spend some time away from his father.
But Michael revealed how he was "a last addition" to the cast and so he didn't have time to research any of the women on Season 8 or come up with a dating plan.
"I didn't have anybody in particular in mind. I was just open and wanted to see who I'd be drawn to," Michael shared.
And because of his openness, Michael found himself drawn to Sierra, even though Becca pointed out how Bachelor Nation probably wouldn't have paired these two individuals together.
"This was my perfect case in point of not trying to plan your route or experience in Paradise," Michael noted.
"We were able to have so many different conversations. [We] got deep really, really quickly."
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And Michael -- who was shown talking to Sierra about his late wife Laura, who died of breast cancer in 2019 -- insisted Sierra showed a lot of depth and let her walls down with him.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW"It wasn't necessarily only me pouring it all out; she was also giving me a lot in return," Michael said. "She [shared] things about her upbringing, where she came from, and her mom being an orphan in Korea."
He recalled of Sierra's story, "Sierra felt a calling to go to Korea and teach kindergartners at an earlier age, and she basically sold off all of her stuff because of that calling. Those types of things are evident to me that she's somebody who has done her work and she has put in the time. And I was immediately drawn to it."
Michael also complimented Sierra on being "hilarious" among other "amazing things."
"I think from what people may have seen of me on Katie's season, they may have been surprised [I clicked with Sierra], but people who actually know me as a person [wouldn't be] surprised at all that I was drawn to her," Michael said.
At the first Rose Ceremony of the season, the men had the power and Michael handed out his rose to Sierra, which everyone apparently saw coming.
"I've been through a few Rose Ceremonies, and to actually have the roses, I felt pressure, honestly!" Michael told Becca and Michelle.
"I think some people may feel like they're safe or a sense of power, but I was almost just hoping that no one would have it, so we don't have to make any decisions. If it needs to be done, let it be done."
"But for me," the Ohio-based business owner continued, "Sierra [and I] had so many great conversations leading up to the Rose Ceremony, that [she] was the obvious choice."
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Michael said he hoped Sierra had very few questions or doubts about whether he was going to give his rose to her, adding, "She was really the one person I was dialed into."
Michael also suggested dating is more meaningful in Paradise, when taken seriously.
"I probably spent more time with Sierra than I did with Katie the entire [The Bachelorette] season... in three days," Michael revealed. "And you are really dialed into getting to know somebody."
Michael said it was nice to watch a woman around her friends and flutter around a social environment, adding, "It can validate or negate who you are with at the time."
On Bachelor in Paradise's premiere, Michael said Sierra was like "a happy puppy" whom everyone just wanted to hug.
His great first impression of the bachelorette then turned into a connection, with Sierra telling the single father that she was only interested in him.
Michael quickly discovered Sierra is "an old soul," which he said is hard to find. He also gushed about her beauty, "glowing skin" and intoxicating and contagious presence.
Michael told the cameras how he felt comfortable around Sierra, like they had known each other for years.
"As much as I want to jump in full force, I am guarded. But I can see a total future with her. I do, I can really see something," Michael shared in a confessional.
During the last two episodes, Sierra shared how she thought Michael was grounded and handsome, but she had some concerns about potentially becoming a stepmother to James and how that would all work out.
Michael, who made it known a woman could never replace his late wife Laura, said Sierra was a sweet woman and a good listener -- and the couple kissed.
"Sierra is amazing. She totally understands that old type of love that is forever and still exists between me and Laura, but also understands the beauty when you do find love again," Michael said. "I had no idea Sierra and I would have this kind of connection. There is something really good there."
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
