Throughout the season finale of The Bachelor, the friendship between Juliana Pasquarosa and Litia Garr was notably strong, but the dynamics shifted dramatically when Grant Ellis proposed to Juliana. Grant, as the lead, entered the competition with a clear objective: to find his future wife and mother of his children. Meanwhile, his 25 contestants shared a common goal of securing a lasting relationship. Given that Grant was the first Bachelor announced prior to the opening of applications, the emotional investment from the women was intense, consequently creating a competitive atmosphere that led to significant tensions and conflicts.
Throughout season 29, Grant exhibited chemistry with several contestants, which made his decisions regarding eliminations particularly challenging. Many eliminated contestants believed there was a chance for romance based on their experiences with him, leading to feelings of confusion and heartbreak. The most notable case was Litia Garr, the runner-up, who was repeatedly told by Grant that she could be “the one.” Therefore, when he ultimately chose Juliana, it caused a rift between the two women, leaving Juliana feeling ostracized and even bullied—something she should not have to contend with due to Grant’s decisions.
Litia’s Remarks on Juliana During Elimination Discussion
Litia Suggested Juliana Question Grant’s Commitment
Understandably, Litia was devastated by her elimination during the final moments of the season. Grant’s indecisiveness throughout the proposal period added to the emotional strain, as he had spent significant time with Litia providing her with reassurances of his love and future intentions. Yet, following her rejection, Litia aimed her frustration at both Grant and Juliana—a move that many deem unjustified.
During her moment of rejection, Litia made remarks implying that Juliana should reconsider her relationship with Grant, stating, “I would have a lot of questions if I were her, from the things that you’ve said to me.” Juliana felt discomforted by Litia invoking her name at such a sensitive time, as she was not part of this unfolding drama. More pointedly, Litia criticized her own journey, expressing:
“I’m glad that this whole last week and that last day aren’t a part of my love story. I know I deserve someone [who knows] without a shadow of a doubt that they’re going to choose me.”
This remark can be seen as a direct jab at Juliana and her budding romance with Grant. While Litia’s feelings are valid, her insinuation that Grant lacks genuine feelings for Juliana was unnecessary and hurtful, fracturing Juliana’s hopes of maintaining camaraderie with her co-stars.
Juliana’s Perception of Friendship with Litia
Juliana’s Relationship with Fellow Contestants Deteriorated
Juliana envisioned a future where she could form lasting friendships with her fellow contestants after filming wrapped. As the final two women in the competition, both she and Litia had developed a close bond during their time together. Unfortunately, Litia’s growing distance and disparagement of Juliana’s relationship took a toll on their friendship.
In a poignant interview on The Viall Files, Juliana voiced her disappointment over the deteriorating relationship with Litia, remarking, “I thought there was a good relationship, but it seems like actions since AFR and moving forward have not been the kindest.” The breakdown of her relationships didn’t stop there; subsequent outreach to the other women resulted in painful revelations. Juliana learned that many would only attend the live finale to support Litia, leaving her feeling abandoned despite her initial hopes for camaraderie.
Is Grant Ellis Responsible for the Fallout Between Juliana and Litia?
Grant’s Role in the Tension Between Litia and Juliana
Ultimately, the conflicts between Litia and Juliana stem from Grant’s actions. Though he offered Litia reassurances of his affection and intentions, the mixed messages led to her frustration manifestsing as hostility toward Juliana. However, it is important to note that Litia’s anger should be directed at Grant rather than Juliana, especially during a conversation meant to address accountability.
While Grant may have created confusion about his feelings for Litia, he and Juliana share a confident bond that they are working on solidifying, even in the face of skepticism from fans. Through open discussions regarding the emotional turmoil of the show’s final weeks, both are determined to navigate their relationship successfully in the wake of these tensions. The Bachelor remains a captivating series, available for streaming on Hulu.
Source: The Viall Files/Podcast