Bachelor in Paradise star Katherine "Kat" Izzo has defended herself after being called a "homie hopper" on the Paradise beach.
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"Quick question. So, when a girl dates in Paradise, she's a homie hopper," Kat, 27, said in a TikTok video on Thursday, November 30.
"But when a guy dates, he's exploring his options? Let me know."
Although Kat has been a polarizing figure on Bachelor in Paradise's ninth season, many fans believe Kat makes a good point.
Tanner Courtad, for example, went from dating Kat to Davia Bunch to Rachel Recchia on the beach, and on the latest Bachelor in Paradise episode, he hit on Jess Girod after her relationship with Blake Moynes fell apart.
Brayden Bowers, meanwhile, dated Kat, Rachel, and Becca Serrano, and the single bachelor also made a move on Jess after Blake self-eliminated from Paradise. Brayden even admitted he had blown a good thing with Rachel and needs to better himself in the future.
The men, however, weren't given any unflattering labels.
For Kat's part, the so-called "homie hopper" began a relationship with Brayden -- who fell hard and fast for the blonde beauty -- before unexpectedly jumping ship for newcomer Tanner.
Tanner, however, didn't waste any time accepting a date with newcomer Davia, and Kat was upset and angry that Tanner hadn't asked for her feelings on the subject first. The fact it was Kat's birthday on Tanner and Davia's date day also rubbed salt in her wounds.
Tanner proceeded to dump Kat, who then set her eyes on John Henry Spurlock, even though he had established a pretty strong connection with Olivia Lewis.
Bachelor in Paradise's editing made it seem like Kat pursued John Henry without any hesitation or remorse about how it was going to make Olivia feel. Many fans therefore called Kat a hypocrite for having lashed out at Tanner for similar behavior.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOWJohn Henry ultimately chose Kat over Olivia by giving her a rose on Bachelor in Paradise's November 9 episode, and they've remained a strong couple on the show ever since.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
Kat is clearly done "homie hopping," because she and John Henry both mentioned the possibility of getting engaged in a preview for Bachelor in Paradise's upcoming finale airing Thursday, December 7 at 8PM ET/PT.
But since Bachelor in Paradise's ninth season began airing, Kat has faced hate and scrutiny online and on social media, mainly for bouncing from one guy to the next without worrying about the consequences. Many fans were also disappointed in Kat for hurting Olivia.
Kat therefore issued an apology via Instagram on November 13.
"On reality TV, being open and vulnerable is tough. It shows that, like everyone else, we have missteps in life," Kat captioned photos of herself from her time on the ABC reality dating series.
"We are all genuine people, and I apologize if my actions on the show inadvertently hurt others. In the unfiltered lens of reality TV, where vulnerability is both a strength and a struggle, it's a reminder that as humans, we're bound to make mistakes along this unpredictable journey."
Kat continued in her statement how sharing your life with the world "takes a toll on our mental well-being," and so she called for "understanding and kindness" from others.
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She concluded, "Let's recognize our shared vulnerability as humans and encourage growth, learning, and understanding as we deal with our imperfections."
Kat's message appeared well received, especially from her Bachelor in Paradise 9 co-stars, but many fans thought Kat's apology was insincere.
"This is so condescending it's painful," wrote a follower at the time.
"Take accountability for your OWN immature and toxic actions rather than using general terms such as 'we' 'us' etc. It's just another one of your statements in an attempt to deflect your own sh-t. Some wise words you should acknowledge: 'It's me, hi, I'm the problem, its me.'"
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)
But during an early November appearance on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, Kat claimed that she was never good friends with Olivia and so she didn't owe her any warning or explanation about her feelings for John Henry.
Kat also insisted to co-hosts Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt that her relationship with John Henry naturally developed from what started out as an innocent friendship.
"In those initial moments, I was just, like, really intrigued by him, and I felt a weird attraction, and so it was very much a friendship -- we had become friends during his first few days on the beach," Kat recalled.
"So, I wasn't like, 'Okay, I'm talking to you because we're going to date tomorrow and you're going to be the person I like.' And he's very easy on the eyes! He's very fun to talk to, hang out with, and just look at in general. He would talk to me and I wouldn't remember what he said because he's just so attractive."
Kat thought John Henry's good looks were "insane" and how such a reaction to man has "never happened" to her before.
"I was like, 'What's going on?' So there were a lot of weird feelings coming up. I was just kind of going with it. I wasn't really having any intention or expectations or fantasies; it was just like, 'You're really cute and really fun to talk to,'" Kat explained.
"I saw how [Olivia] handled the [Kylee Russell and Will Urena] situation, and so I was like, 'I've had enough -- my fair share of drama.' But in general, I never wanted to disrespect her."
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"But there were multiple times when I was like, 'I don't want to be doing this because I know she still likes him and I would never want to disrespect somebody.' I was a little worried how that was going to be accepted based on what I had seen thus far, if that makes sense," Kat told Joe and Serena.
When asked how she'd feel had she been in Olivia's shoes, if the roles were reversed, Kat claimed, "If I was in [Olivia's] position and I saw him talking to another girl after we had formed a connection, for me, I would never say that's the woman's fault."
Kat admitted her ego would be hurt but she'd just cut the guy loose.
"I would be like, 'Okay, you clearly like her, and my ego is hurt. I've got to go.' That's how I'd handle it. That's not to say that's right, but I just have too much of an ego. I wouldn't be able to [deal with that]," Kat said.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
