Sam McKinney Found Love with a Bachelor Nation Alum Despite Swift ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Exit

Sam McKinney was sent packing on Bachelor in Paradise during the first rose ceremony. Fans probably thought that was the last they’d see of McKinney, who rose to fame as a villain on Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette. As it turns out, he isn’t opposed to finding love among the Bachelor Nation alum despite his lackluster TV appearances. McKinney took to Instagram to hard launch a relationship with Allie Jo Hinkes. Hinkes was a week 2 castoff on season 10 of Bachelor in Paradise.

Sam McKinney and Allie Jo Hinkes make it Instagram official

Love is in the air for two Bachelor in Paradise castoffs. Sam McKinney and Allie Joe Hinkes made it Instagram official this week with a photo of them cuddled up while out together. McKinney captioned the upload “Sometimes… You just gotta do it your damn self.” The romance wasn’t exactly a secret. Bachelor in Paradise fans had clocked the relationship a couple of weeks ago. It became obvious when McKinney and Hinke were, inexplicably, in the same places at the same time.

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A post shared by Sam McKinney (@sam.mckinney.23)

While McKinney apparently went out of his way to look for love with Hinkes, it’s unclear if he signed up for Bachelor in Paradise with the expressed intent to meet her. It wouldn’t be the first time McKinney showed up on a dating show looking for someone specific. After being rejected by Jenn Tran on The Bachelorette, he claimed he was hoping for Daisy Kent or Maria Georgas instead. Both women competed on season 28 of The Bachelor along with Tran. Allie Jo Hinke competed on season 29 of The Bachelor but was eliminated in week 3.

Sam McKinney and Allie Jo Hinkes failed to connect with other contestants on ‘Bachelor in Paradise’

While Bachelor Nation fans are largely against the McKinney and Hinkes pairing, some fans believe that they deserve each other. Both Bachelor Nation alums have their share of critics. We do know they have one major thing in common: neither McKinney nor Hinkes managed to really connect with anyone on Bachelor in Paradise, despite both coming into the game with high hopes.

McKinney was one of the first contestants to leave Costa Rica, failing to secure a rose during the week 1 rose ceremony. While he’s now with Hinkes, their paths did not cross during the season. McKinney headed home during the first rose ceremony when Jess Edwards ultimately gave her rose to Spencer Conley instead of McKinney. She briefly agonized over the decision, but Conley was clearly the right pick for her. Allie Jo Hinkes arrived in Costa Rica in Week 2, after McKinney had already headed home. She was sent packing the same week, failing to win over any of the men. She did secure a kiss from Dale Moss, much to the chagrin of Kat Izzo