The finale of The Bachelor aired on March 24, 2025, culminating in an emotional proposal as Grant Ellis chose to get engaged to Juliana Pasquarosa, leaving the finalist, Litia Garr, heartbroken as the runner-up. In a candid follow-up interview with The Hollywood Reporter, which was published the next day, Grant acknowledged the complex dynamics of dating multiple contestants and took ownership of the hurt feelings caused during the season.
“When you’re the Bachelor, there’s a lot of wrong you can do because it’s an uncomfortable situation dating 25 people,” stated Grant.
Having himself gone through a public breakup on The Bachelorette with Jenn Tran, Grant empathized with Litia’s situation and emotions.
Grant Ellis Discusses Pressure as a Non-White Bachelor
The finale also brought exciting news regarding the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise, which will feature contestants from both The Golden Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Despite finishing season 29 in a classic fashion, notable changes have occurred behind the scenes, particularly with the production team.
Grant, a 31-year-old day trader from New Jersey, shared insights during his interview, noting that he felt well-supported throughout the live finale. He described his earlier experience during the Women Tell All special on March 10 and expressed gratitude for the producers who prepared him for the After the Final Rose segment.
“They told me what [ATFR] was going to be like and the reality of it, and I went in there prepared, as prepared as I could be,” said Grant.
In a significant turn, new showrunners Claire Freeland, Bennett Graebner, and Jason Ehrlich took the reins after Mike Fleiss’s departure in 2023. As the second Black male lead in the show’s history, Grant faced heightened expectations amidst these shifts aimed at diversifying the franchise. However, just ten days before the finale, Freeland and Graebner left the production following anonymous allegations of a toxic work environment, which they denied. This upheaval also prompted the exit of co-executive producers Michael Margolis and Keely Booth, raising questions about the future leadership of the series by ABC and Warner Bros.
In his reflections, Grant acknowledged the unique pressures he felt as a non-white lead on The Bachelor. Drawing on the experience of Matt James, the first Black male lead, Grant noted that he felt he was scrutinized more intensely than previous leads. This added layer of pressure stemmed from audience expectations and assumptions connected to his background.
“There’s an extra level of scrutiny or pressure that you feel when you’re a lead of color. Maybe it’s the way you talk or the way that you say something,”expressed Grant.
Despite these challenges, Grant remained focused on his quest for love throughout the show. He revealed that he had previously been in a long-term relationship and practiced celibacy for a year before joining the show. Emphasizing his desire for genuine understanding and love, he believed these values could transcend superficial judgments based on appearance. Throughout the series, Grant made a dedicated effort to stay true to his authentic self.
The culmination of this season of The Bachelor was not only a personal milestone for Grant but also a reflection of the evolving dynamics within the franchise, showcasing the complexities of love and representation on reality television.
The season finale of The Bachelor aired on March 24, 2025, on ABC.