Bachelor Nation
ABC’s “Bachelor In Paradise” stars Serene Russell

Serene Took A Step Back From Teaching Right Before Heading To Paradise

Looks like she's ready for a big life change.

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ABC/Craig Sjodin

The good news for Bachelor Nation contestants is that their journeys don’t necessarily end after one season in the franchise. Even after getting eliminated from The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, there’s always Bachelor In Paradise. Serene Russell was a contestant in Clayton Echard’s season of The Bachelor, and she made it pretty far by getting all the way to hometown dates. But it didn’t work out with the Bachelor, and so now she’s back to try to find love in Paradise.

Serene went into her Bachelor journey with a very clear sense of what she’s looking for in a partner. According to her official ABC bio, “Serene knows her worth and what she needs to be happy. When it comes to relationships, she wants to find a man who is truly worthy of her commitment and ready to give her that same level of commitment back.” She also said her dream man is “honest, clear on what he wants, and an excellent communicator,” so hopefully she’s able to find someone with just as much clarity as she embarks on this journey on Bachelor In Paradise Season 8. Here's everything you need to know about Serene as this season of Paradise begins.

Serene Russell’s Bachelor Nation Journey

Serene remained out of the spotlight for much of the beginning of Clayton’s season, mostly because she successfully avoided all the Shrimp-Gate drama. But during the back half of the season, her connection with Clayton grew. She told Clayton how she and her late cousin used to catch fireflies together, so Clayton gave her a heartfelt gift of fairy lights in a jar to help her think of her cousin.

Later, Serene brought Clayton home to Oklahoma for a hometown date and told him she was in love with him, but Clayton told her family that he was “not there yet” with her. Clayton sent her home that week, and Serene wrote on Instagram that the breakup was “world-shattering at the time,” but that she “isn’t afraid to love.” That sounds promising heading into Paradise.

Serene Russell’s Real Job

Serene is multi-talented, and her career reflects that. In her ABC bio, she lists her job as an elementary school teacher, and she showed how good she is with kids during the kids’ birthday party group date at the beginning of this season. But Serene is also a model, and her Instagram bio reveals that she’s represented by Wilhelmina Denver and by the Tabb Agency.

In May 2022, Serene announced she was stepping back from teaching in order to focus more on journalism and media. (According to her LinkedIn profile, Serene graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2020 with a degree in journalism.)

Serene Russell’s Instagram

Since Serene is a model, it makes sense that her Instagram is filled with gorgeous shots of her serving all her best angles for the camera. Her modeling career really seems to be the main focus of her Instagram, although Serene also used it to promote her time on The Bachelor. Serene also loves inspirational quotes and has an entire highlight reel on her Instagram dedicated to moving words.

Serene Russell Facts

Serene is 27 years old and lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She has a cat named Leonardo DiCATprio and seems to be an animal lover, although guinea pigs freak her out. According to her bio, her “spirit is robust and her passion is strong,” all things that could help her find her match in Paradise.

Season 8 of Bachelor In Paradise airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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