Dale Moss is returning to Bachelor Nation as a single man after his recent breakup from HGTV host Galey Alix.
The 36-year-old former football player tells PEOPLE he’s joining season 10 of Bachelor in Paradise with a completely different mindset than his last franchise appearance. Five years ago, Moss proposed to Clare Crawley just four episodes into season 16 of The Bachelorette.
“Honestly, I’m in Paradise just to be open to the experience. Life has a lot of changes, and I think there’s so many times that we want to control everything, right? And this is, for me, kind of refreshing stepping into an environment that I might not have all the answers to, and honestly, showing up and being myself and hoping that’s enough.”
A New Approach After Two Relationships
Moss has experienced two significant relationships since leaving the franchise in 2020.
He and Crawley officially split in September 2021 after a rocky relationship that began when she left her lead role to be with him. Less than a year later, Moss started dating Alix, but the pair ended their relationship at the end of 2024 after two-and-a-half years together.
The timing of his Bachelor in Paradise appearance so soon after his breakup isn’t lost on him.
“I kind of want to just escape. And I also know at the end of the day, meeting someone is very important to me. So I’m just open.”
Moss admits he’s changing old patterns when it comes to dealing with breakups.
“I can definitely say that in the past, and this is where I’ve grown a lot, I would shut down for really long times after a relationship. I’ve realized that that is not always the healthiest of things. And I had a great relationship with a great woman and we just couldn’t close a gap.”
No Bad Blood With His Ex
Moss clarifies there’s no animosity between him and Alix. Moving on is “just part of the process.”
“I think ultimately, [in] a good relationship, you just want the other person to succeed and be happy. That’s how I feel for my last relationship, and that’s the ultimate. It’s never black and white. But I will say that I’m grateful for that relationship, and you never know what can happen in the future. But right now, I think it’s each person’s responsibility to try to heal themselves.”
A Different Mindset This Time
The former NFL player acknowledges he’s approaching Paradise with less pressure than his 2020 Bachelorette experience.
“The first time around, I was proud of who I was. I think I just had a lot of insecurities and fears that a lot of men have [about] being enough for someone or really wanting to solve all these problems. I’ve learned a lot more about boundaries. And also, going into this, I know who I am. I know what type of woman I want, and I’m not really trying to impress anyone.”
His career is in a good place. His personal life has direction. That stability allows him to be more patient with finding love.
“I’m happy with where I’m at in my career, I’ve got very clear direction there, I’ve got great people around me. And I know that I want a relationship, and I can be patient with that. I don’t need to rush it, but it’s important to see what’s out there.”
Bachelor in Paradise premieres Monday, July 7 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
