It has been three years since "Paradise Hotel" was stopped by Viaplay due to suspected sex crimes. The milder "Paradise" was called "PK Hotel" and did not become a success, but many of the changes have still followed when the more turbulent "Paradise Hotel" returns.
Among other things, consent is requested, participants sleep in single beds – and are not allowed to drink too much.
For new participant Amanda Fransson, it was no problem.
I'm not used to pouring large amounts of liquor, so it was quite nice. The only time I actually tried to keep up with the others, I got an alcohol stop and then I got a bit irritated, she says.
"Should flow"
Fredrik "Fimpen" Olsson has two seasons behind him and ordered a red cap with the text "Make PH great again" before his comeback, which he wears in the program.
Actually, I think the alcohol should flow in the evenings, because that's when things happen.
Last time he was on, he was introduced as "the worst", but it has been four years since then and a lot has changed.
I've gotten older, so you think twice and have a few more barriers. But it doesn't stop me from playing hard.
One of the things that usually happens in "Paradise Hotel" is sex in front of the cameras – which this year are more than usual to create a safer environment. Amanda Fransson tells that she initially declined to participate because she had bad experiences before.
I did a similar program five years ago and it was a terrible experience. Now I had just quit my job, a three-year relationship had ended, and I was lying in bed and was depressed when they called.
In the end, she – at the urging of her mother – went to Mexico and is doing much better today.
So you can actually say that "Paradise Hotel" cured my depression, even though it sounds weird. But I might never have gotten out of bed otherwise.
Stella back
Rebecca Stella, the program host, also said yes, and her comeback after five years was a surprise to the participants.
"Paradise Hotel" is my baby. When I heard that they had shut it down and then made a different type of program, it felt like an era was over. That's why I was so happy to get the question again. I think Sweden is ready now and I have a really good gut feeling about the season.
In the spring of 2021, two women reported that they had been subjected to sexual offenses in connection with the filming of the TV program "Paradise Hotel" in Mexico. The incident was not reported to the police until viewers and media noticed the content six months after the incident itself.
A preliminary investigation was initiated, and a man was suspected of rape and sexual harassment. The man was sent home from the filming, but the criminal investigation was later dropped.
In parallel with the police report, an internal investigation was conducted into how the production on site in Mexico handled the events.
Following the allegations, the entire season of "Paradise Hotel" was taken down from the platforms Viaplay and Viafree.
The Work Environment Authority launched an inspection of the production company Mastiff due to the events.
Before the 2022 season, trans person Tone Sekelius became the new program host, and a number of changes were introduced.
Among other things, participants no longer have to form pairs with the opposite sex, it is not a requirement to be single to apply to the program, and the bedrooms have two single beds instead of a double bed.
Non-binary participant Pedro Lima won "Paradise" together with Linnéa Sundberg. But the program received criticism from reality fans and critics for being too boring.
The second season of "Paradise" was not broadcast on Viaplay but was instead released on the streaming service Pluto TV.
In January 2024, the news came that they would be filming a new season according to the old concept and "going back to the roots".
