Mari Pepin: 5 Things To Know About The ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Star Coupled Up With Kenny Braasch

Things have been stable between Mari Pepin and Kenny Braasch for a few weeks now on 'Bachelor in Paradise,' but previews for the Sept. 28 episode show that there may be some trouble brewing.

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September 28, 2021 3:15PM EDT
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BACHELOR IN PARADISE - ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise" stars Abigail. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)
BACHELOR IN PARADISE - ā€œ708ā€ ā€“ Heading into the long-awaited cocktail party, five women prepare to be sent home, but first, theyā€™ll have to make it through one of the craziest nights in Paradise history. Starting off with a bang, the beachā€™s most controversial couple faces a reckoning they canā€™t come back from. Then, one couple pays a visit to the Boom Boom Room, another endures a birthday breakup of epic proportions, and one unlucky lady gets a second chance at love, all before the rose ceremony even begins. When the roses are finally handed out, thereā€™s one more surprise in storeā€¦WHAT?! Lil Jon has arrived as the next guest host and heā€™s not playing around, OKAY? In fact, he brought a whole new batch of guys with him who will make their entrances soon. Later, as a new day begins, it feels like a fresh start in Paradise. But is there more hope or heartbreak on the horizon for these beachgoers? Only time will tell on ā€œBachelor in Paradise,ā€ TUESDAY, SEPT. 14 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin) THOMAS, REBECCA KUFRIN
BACHELOR IN PARADISE - ā€œ705ā€ ā€“ Watch out Paradise, thereā€™s a storm brewing. As the women prepare to hand out their roses, nerves are getting the better of the men. But just when the future seems written, guest host Lance Bass has one more surprise up his sleeve, and itā€™s a big one. For the first time, a Bachelorette has made her way to Mexico and Becca Kufrin ā€“ rose in hand ā€“ is bringing the heat to the beach. Is that all? Not a chance. More familiar faces will make their entrances and the remaining couples will be put to the test, none more than Joe and Serena who will face their biggest challenge yet ā€¦ and her name is Kendall, on ā€œBachelor in Paradise,ā€ TUESDAY, AUG. 31 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin) ABIGAIL, NOAH
Image Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Mari Pepin and Kenny Braasch have had some ups and downs on this season of Bachelor in Paradise. While they started out as a strong couple, things took a turn when Demi Burnett arrived and expressed interested in Kenny. At the same time, Mari told Kenny that she wanted the freedom to date other people on the show if the opportunity rose. So, Kenny pursued a relationship with Demi, and even got her rose at the second rose ceremony.

Eventually, though, Mari apologized to Kenny and told him she wanted to be all-in on their relationship. He ended things with Demi to fully commit to Mari, and theyā€™ve been going strong ever since. In fact, they even told each other that they were falling in love! However, previews for the showā€™s Sept. 28 episode show Kenny and Mari having a tense conversation, where he worries about whether or not sheā€™s on the same page as him. He even suggests taking a break from their relationship. Later, Mari can be seen hysterically crying. As we wait to see how it all plays out, hereā€™s more to know about Mari:

1. What Season Of ā€˜The Bachelorā€™ Was Mari On?

Mari, whose full name is Mariela, was a contestant on season 25 of The Bachelor, where she tried to win Matt Jamesā€™ heart. Mari made it all the way to week four of the show, which is when she was eliminated. Although Matt was initially very attracted to Mari, his connection with several other women was stronger, leading to her elimination in the middle of the season.

mari pepin kenny braasch
Mari Pepin and Kenny Braasch on ā€˜Bachelor in Paradiseā€™ during a date. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)

2. Mari Has Lived Around The World & Speaks Multiple Languages

Mari has a very unique upbringing. She was born in Puerto Rico, and when she was just a few years old, she began traveling all over the world due to her dadā€™s career in the military. The family relocated to Germany, which allowed them to easily travel to places in Europe like France, Czechoslovakia and Italy. Due to all the places sheā€™s live, Mari developed an appreciation for different cultures and languages. While Spanish is her first language, sheā€™s also fluent in English and has studied American Sign Language and French.

3. Mari Competed In Pageants

Like many Bachelor Nation stars these days, Mari is a future pageant princes. She won Miss Maryland Teen USA while she was a freshman in college, and then competed at Miss Teen USA. In 2019, Mari was named Miss Maryland, and she came in the top 10 at Miss USA. Amidst her run in the pageant circuit, she began modeling, and was signed by Click Models.

mari pepin kenny braasch
Mari cozies up to Kenny on the beach during ā€˜Bachelor in Paradise.ā€™ (ABC/Craig Sjodin)

4. What Does Mari Do? 

Mari graduated from Towson University with a Bachelorā€™s Degree in Communication Studies in 2018. She works as the Marketing Director at Maryland Plastic Surgery & PURE MedSpa, a fully integrated surgery center, cosmetic laser center and MedSpa. At the same time, sheā€™s also pursuing her Masterā€™s degree in marketing.

5. Mari Loves Volunteering & Giving Back

Mari has created and run various non-profit organizations over the years. One of those is Moi Warriors, which aids women who are overcoming medical obstacles. She also works with Make a Veteran Smile, helping to provide free surgical procedures to veterans. Many of her non-profit efforts are in the areas of womenā€™s health, childrenā€™s initiatives, homelessness and veteranā€™s affairs.