For Bachelor in Paradise excellent Michael Allio and Danielle Maltby, this looks like a Very happy holiday.
The finale of the ABC dating show aired Tuesday, revealing that the couple are two major successes Story One Season 8, along with newly engaged Brandon Jones and Serene Russell. After Allio’s initial attempt at a romance with Sierra Jackson failed earlier this season, Maltby arrives on the beach in Mexico and has an immediate connection with the single dad. In the finale, viewers learned that the couple was stronger than ever, and Maltby moved from Nashville to Alio’s hometown of Akron, Ohio, to be closer to him and his young son, James.
The two left Bachelor in Paradise before proposing, so their biggest moment in the finale wasn’t the engagement , but Allio was first introduced to viewers on Katie Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette and it was amazing Maltby told her for the first time that he loved her. But the duo explained to The Hollywood Reporter that they just wanted to do things at their own pace.
“We don’t necessarily feel the pressure of the timeline, it could be imposed by the audience or the programming is already in place,” Allio said. “We will 48 march to our own drum, I think This is what works best for us. So we can now share all these little moments together and start building couples memories, I can’t wait.”
In the conversation, the couple discussed their holiday plans (Christmas tree shopping!), the debate over Maltby’s podcast talk about Jackson last week, why Allio didn’t want to be on The Bachelor and when Victoria Fuller announced she had wrapped up her finale Their reaction to the controversial part of the finale was engaged to Johnny DePhillipo and is now dating fellow Allio Bachelorette alum Greg Grippo.
Your performance in the finale was definitely the highlight of the episode. What was it like to have it all out in the open?
Danielle Maltby:
This is surreal. Our little bubble is now burst and we can finally share our joy with more friends and family.
Michael Allio:
My phone has been on since last night It’s exploding. It was really cool to look back, not just at the reunion, but our entire journey. We can see our walls are coming down. We’re two highly cautious people who have grown so much, for us we’ve grown a lot since the show was over. Sometimes, that’s when relationships are most tested and they falter — and that’s where we really start, off camera.
What is the most different in the real world?
Maltby:
Well, James is in the real world. He’s not on Paradise. (Laughing.)
Allio:
We really haven’t experienced much real life yet, because everything is a secret. We’ve been dating for almost six months. We really spend a lot of time getting to know each other, getting to know each other deeply and not being distracted by the outside world. With the holidays fast approaching, now feels like a very special time in our lives.
Maltby:
Exactly. I feel like every holiday season comes around and I think, “Will I have someone?”
Allio:
You don’t have to worry anymore. (laugh.)
‘Bachelor in Heaven’ ABC/Eric McCandless
What are your vacation plans like?
Allio: Danielle actually left Nashville at 3am and drove here. My sister has Thanksgiving tomorrow so we’re going to spend the afternoon making pumpkin pie and cooking. The day after Thanksgiving…
Maltby:
Christmas tree shopping !
Allio:
We’re going to buy a Christmas tree; we’re going to decorate it.
Maltby:
I’m so happy!
You two left the beach before the proposal, but have you been talking about those moments on the road?
Maltby:
Before I get promoted, there are a few more things to do. I want to make sure I get out of my office in the best place possible, the right job here, the right apartment. But honestly, we’re just looking forward to dating in the same city right now. I really just want to have more time to focus on my relationship with James. I hope to be able to pick him up from school and meet everyone at home. It’s a day-to-day thing, and I’m so excited to be here and be a part of it.
Allio:
We all act very consciously, we want to learn from what to get in life. We don’t necessarily feel the pressure of the schedule that’s imposed by the audience or that the show has put in place. We will 75 march to our own drum, I think it is The best for us. So now that we can share all these little moments together and start building couples memories, I can’t wait.
Maltby:
I’m so excited. Long distance relationships are fun, but if we want the relationship to work, we have to get closer.
Allio:
I’m glad to see her and James Relationships blossom. They have this awesome connection. I picked him up from school yesterday and he said, “Where’s Danielle?” I was like, “She’s coming on Wednesday.” He was like, “You said two days!” I was like, “Yeah, it was Monday ’” He was just happy to see her. The last time Danielle was in town, we took her to the airport, and James was in the back seat, and he said, “Danielle, when you get in, do you want us to call you to make sure you’re okay, you have someone to talk to Can you?”
“You can hear us.”
Allio:
He’s just the sweetest kid in the world and they have such a healthy, wonderful relationship and it’s only just getting started.
Maltby:
He is my little friend.
Michael, you obviously know Greg from Katie’s season. One of the pivotal moments in the finale was seeing Victoria and Greg talking about their relationship. What do you think about this?
Allio: Greg and I are good friends. I know he’s from a really good place. Where people get hung up on this is the timeline, and only they know the timeline. What I’m trying to say is that we’ve all tried to find love at one time – it’s hard to find. If you can find your happiness by any means possible, you have to go for it. I’m also a big Johnny fan. He is an amazing person.
Maltby:
He’s such a nice guy.
Allio:
The whole situation is difficult. I hope everyone involved can find some common ground and re-pursue their own happiness.
Sierra reacted to a social media mention of a recent conversation between Danielle and Kaitlyn Bristowe on her podcast, leading Kaitlyn to She apologized. Has the problem been solved?
Me and my girlfriend chatter about things I don’t The things that were there were not fair. When I got there, Michael’s relationship with Sierra was resolved and I felt so bad that I had hurt her feelings. So, I just wish her the best. I’m really excited to spend the holidays with my man.
Michael, there is speculation that you would have been fine as a bachelor. Why Paradise is better for you?
Allio:
For me, filming time with Bachelor in Paradise is not to mention committed, and it seems that Bachelor in Paradise ‘s success rate is more in line with my requirements. When you’re at the beach, you spend more time with people. As someone in Katie’s season, you don’t spend that much time on it, and for me, at my age, time is important if you want to really dial in and find that person. I thought everything was in the rearview mirror after my season away from Katie, and I’m glad it wasn’t because I found you. You never know where this crazy road leads. You just keep going.
Have you talked to Brandon and Serene recently, who also started their love story this season?
Maltby: I really haven’t had time to message them yet because I’m in bed at 9. I didn’t even watch it last night because I knew I’d have to be up so early to drive. This is really on my to do list. I got here, put on some makeup, sat down and talked to you nice people.
Allio:
I sent Brandon a message. They were made for each other. They had this attraction to each other from day one, you could feel it. It’s really cool to see everything play out on camera. It’s really, really cool to be able to share a part of our lives with you all. It’s just beautiful.
Maltby:
Maybe our family trip to Disney! (laughs.) Mom and Dad and the kids.
Allio:
Right! There is no doubt that they will be a great couple moving forward.
What are your vacation plans like? 
