Grant Ellis concluded The Bachelor Season 29 with his engagement to Juliana Pasquarosa, yet his journey was marred by moments of conflict and controversy. Throughout the season, Grant often adopted a victim mentality amidst the drama, particularly when Litia Garr accused him of misleading her. Given the reassurances he provided her during their time together, her perspective is hardly surprising. Grant’s honesty was frequently called into question, and he struggled to take full responsibility for his decisions.
Grant stepped into the role of lead bachelor after finishing fifth in Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette. While seeking love on the ABC dating show, he faced numerous challenges, a common occurrence for participants. Despite receiving backlash from both fans and fellow contestants, his portrayal as a victim felt misplaced and unconvincing.
Drama Unfolds in Grant’s Journey
Miscommunication Amidst Romance
A significant source of tension this season involved Grant, Carolina Sofia Quixano, and Rose Sombke. After a private conversation, Rose expressed to Carolina that Grant had thoughts of her while dancing with Carolina during a group date. This revelation led to a confrontation between Carolina and Grant, during which Grant reacted with anger, insisting he had been misquoted. He stated to Rose:
“I’m not going to sit here and lie. You’re somebody that I do think about. I just want to make sure that you know that because I’m very interested in you. Like even today, right? The whole dancing thing onstage and everything, I was thinking about you. I don’t want you to feel like I’m not paying attention because I am.”
While Rose may have misinterpreted Grant’s words, his lack of clarity contributed to the misunderstanding. Instead of confronting Rose, Grant missed an opportunity to take accountability and clarify his intentions, creating unnecessary friction with a contestant he connected with deeply.
Subsequently, Rose decided to leave the show following escalating tensions with Carolina. Grant’s failure to defend her or acknowledge his part in the conflict justified her choice to exit a deteriorating situation. His inaction left the impression that he largely dismissed the consequences of his behaviors.
Overusing “I Love You”
A Commitment Crisis
One of the major criticisms surrounding Grant’s leadership on The Bachelor was his casual approach to the phrase “I love you.”He expressed his love to both Litia and Juliana, creating false expectations about his final choice. Litia, in particular, felt deeply betrayed when she discovered he would not propose to her at the series finale, a sentiment easily understood given the context.
Grant had consistently assured Litia that she would be the one he chose, only to later apologize during the season’s finale when confronted about his indecisiveness. His lack of sincerity left both Litia and viewers feeling undervalued, as the emotional stakes were significantly downplayed throughout the season.
Current Status of Grant and Juliana
Engagement During the Finale
Following their engagement on the show, Grant and Juliana continue to nurture their relationship. They have not yet initiated any wedding preparations, although Grant is considering relocating to Boston to be closer to Juliana as they begin a new chapter in their lives. During the “After The Final Rose”segment, both appeared genuinely enamored with one another.
While the history of The Bachelor is littered with couples that struggle to maintain long-term relationships, Grant and Juliana might defy the odds.
The reality dating show is notorious for its low success rates, with many couples dissolving their relationships even before the season airs, much like the disappointing outcome between Hannah Ann Sluss and former lead Peter Weber. Yet, Grant and Juliana’s continued connection suggests they just might be an exception to this trend.
Fans can catch up on The Bachelor, now available for streaming on Hulu.
Source: Bachelor Nation on Instagram