Kendra Bates is redefining expectations—and turning heads in the process. The 33-year-old model and former Los Angeles dancer is stepping away from her past to pursue a dramatically different future, one that now includes joining an Amish community in rural Pennsylvania.
Bates is one of six non-Amish participants featured on TLC’s new reality series Suddenly Amish, which premiered January 13. The show follows a rare social experiment in which an Amish bishop opens his community to outsiders, known as “English,” in an effort to preserve tradition amid declining population numbers. For Bates, the opportunity arrived at a deeply personal turning point.
In the premiere episode, Bates speaks candidly about leaving behind her former career after embracing Christianity and being baptized just over a year ago. She explains that her beliefs no longer align with the work she once did, saying she now feels the need to be extremely selective about what she considers morally acceptable. At this stage of her life, she says, that means stepping away entirely.
One of the most emotional moments comes when Bates reflects on her time on OnlyFans. Fighting back tears, she admits she joined the platform during what she describes as her lowest point and says she still struggles to forgive herself. In an interview with People, she shared that the decision stemmed from a lack of self-worth, something she continues to work through as part of her faith journey.
Her decision to leave Los Angeles was shaped by more than spirituality. After nearly a decade in the city, Bates says she felt increasingly disconnected from its culture. She described the environment as overly self-focused and said she no longer felt content with her life there. In contrast, the Amish values of humility, shared responsibility, and strong community appealed to her desire for deeper purpose and connection.
While the transition may seem extreme, Bates says it also feels familiar. Her family has Mennonite roots, a Christian tradition closely related to the Amish, though more accepting of modern technology. She sees the experience as a way to reconnect with her heritage, noting that her curiosity about Amish life dates back to her college years at Kent State University.
During that time, she attended a Rumspringa gathering—when young Amish are allowed to explore life outside the community—and fell in love with an Amish man. She seriously considered converting, but ultimately chose to pursue her dance career in Los Angeles instead. Though that relationship ended, the pull toward Amish life never fully disappeared.
Now, Bates says she’s approaching this new chapter with openness, including the possibility of romance. She views relationships—whether in Los Angeles or within an Amish community—as equally uncertain, and believes connection comes from leading with honesty and vulnerability.
For Bates, Suddenly Amish isn’t just a television experiment. It’s a deeply personal attempt to reconcile her past with the future she hopes to build—one grounded in faith, simplicity, and self-discovery.
