The Golden Bachelorette’s Michael Stevens Has Been Texting Kathy Swarts: ‘Really Nice Lady’

The Golden Bachelorette alum Michael Stevens is still looking for love after not finding The One in Joan Vassos.

“I got to meet some of the women of The Golden Bachelor,” Michael, 65, said on the Tuesday, December 10, episode of the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast. “I had a really good time. Been texting a couple of them, just on a friendly basis from time to time, and hearing back from them, as well.”

Michael explained that his fellow Golden Bachelorette contestants and the women from Gerry Turner’s season of The Golden Bachelor have “all shared something really unique,” which has led to them bonding. (Gerry proposed to Theresa Nist, and the pair tied the knot earlier this year before announcing their divorce in April.)

“There’s a couple that might be a good match for me,” Michael teased. “We’ll have to see. I met some terrific ladies so far.”

Michael noted that he has not met Nancy Hulkower, who appeared on Joan’s season to give her advice. (Joan ultimately accepted a proposal from Chock Chapple during the season 1 finale, which aired in November.)

“I think all the guys would like to meet Nancy, to be honest with you,” he said. “She’s a beautiful woman and she seems really grounded, so that’s intriguing.”

After gushing about Nancy, Michael added that he has one former contestant on his mind. “You know who’s a really nice lady, who’s very sweet and I think gets kind of a bad rap, is Kathy [Swarts],” he said. “Very sensitive and easy to talk to and bright. We’ve been texting a little bit back and forth as well.”

Michael noted that he sat next to Sylvia Robledo at the After the Final Rose special in November, whom he called “very sweet.” He also “enjoyed” talking to Sandra Mason.

As for whether he made any romantic connections, Michael explained, “It was a party with a bunch of people, so it’s tough to see whether there’s any chemistry yet, at this point. It’s a little soon.”

While he continues to search for love, Michael revealed that he would “absolutely” be in for a Golden spinoff of Bachelor in Paradise — but he has one condition. “I want my shirt on,” he said. “Either that or I hit the gym for six months. Just live there, I just move in.”

Jokes aside, Michael said he thinks the spinoff “would be a blast,” adding, “I don’t think they will do it, but I’d love it if they did. I’d be all-in.”