6 things you need to know about the next season of 'Bachelor in Paradise'

The seventh season of "Bachelor in Paradise" was put on hold last summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. While producers initially thought the show might be suspended, it was ultimately canceled and pushed to this year.

The series will start filming in June, in between Katie Thurston and Michelle Young's back-to-back seasons of "The Bachelorette," and will film for three weeks.

The season premiere of "Bachelor in Paradise" will air on Monday, August 16, on ABC.

"Bachelor in Paradise" has been filmed at the Playa Escondida resort in Sayulita, Mexico, since the second season of the show.

However, coronavirus-related health and safety precautions may keep production in the United States, even though traveling to Mexico is currently permitted under strict guidelines.

"If people can get vaccinated, then maybe we're back in Mexico. If not, maybe there is a bubble situation in Mexico. We will figure out something," Rob Mills, a senior vice president at ABC, told Variety in January.

Another option would be to film the show at a resort in the United States, similar to recent seasons of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette."

"They have put out several asks to 'Bachelor' veterans," one source told E! News in March. "Many people are declining due to the current state of Bachelor Nation. A lot of people are removing themselves from the franchise."

"The Bachelor" has come under fire in recent years for its lack of diversity. After all, in the 19 years that the show has been on the air, only three leads have been people of color.

However, things reached a boiling point this past season when it was revealed that the first Black bachelor Matt James' frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnell had attended an "Old South" party in college in 2018. She was photographed in a Civil War-era dress at a plantation-themed fraternity formal.

At the taping of the "After the Final Rose" special for James' season, Kirkconnell publicly apologized for the second time. They have since gotten back together.

After "Bachelor" host Chris Harrison appeared in an interview defending Kirkconnell's actions, he faced immediate backlash and subsequently stepped down from his hosting duties "for a period of time."

He has since fully stepped down from his hosting role. ABC reportedly struck an eight-figure deal with Harrison that would allow him to leave the franchise and not air any of the show's "dirty laundry" he reportedly witnessed during his years of hosting.

Ivan Hall, a fan-favorite cast member on Tayshia Adams' season, told E! in February that he wouldn't go on the show if Harrison was the host.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable if Chris is there, to be quite frank," he said. "[I'm] not saying he can't make a recovery, can't learn from all of this, but, you know ... it would just be too soon, really."

Joe Park, an anesthesiologist who appeared on Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams' joint season of "The Bachelorette" last year, seems to be among the cast, according to how Rob Mills responded to a tweet about Park receiving his COVID-19 vaccine.

Mills shared Park's post on Twitter and added, "We've got ourselves a vaccinated Paradisian!!"

Serena Pitt and Chelsea Vaughn from Matt James' season have also hinted they'll be in paradise this summer, according to Marie Claire.

While no cast members have been confirmed yet, other reported cast members include Kit Keenan, Madison Prewett, Kelsey Weier, Tia Booth, Blake Horstmann, and Victoria Larsen.

The couple met on the fifth season of "Bachelor in Paradise" and got engaged in the season finale. However, after the pair called it quits last year, Long has said "it would be so hard" to see Amabile find love in paradise, according to Us Weekly.

According to Reality Steve, who's known for his "Bachelor" spoilers, the former contestants could be appearing on the beach again this summer — time will tell if they'll find love with new people or get back together.

Chris Harrison is stepping down from his hosting roles on "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette," and "Bachelor in Paradise."

While a permanent replacement for Harrison has yet to be announced, ABC announced that a series of celebrity guest hosts would be appearing on the upcoming season of "Bachelor in Paradise."

Among those confirmed to be guest hosting are David Spade, Lil Jon, Tituss Burgess, and Lance Bass.