The Bachelor Season 29: Updates on Lead, Cast, Premiere Date, and Key Information

ABC has officially greenlit season 29 of The Bachelor, with Grant Ellis as the leading man. Since it debuted in 2002, The Bachelor has emerged as a premier reality dating series, capturing audiences worldwide alongside its popular spin-offs, including The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and most recently, The Golden Bachelor, which paved the way for an eagerly awaited follow-up, The Golden Bachelorette.

In the concluding season 28, viewers were introduced to Joey, a tennis pro from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, who began his quest for love alongside 32 women. Ultimately, Joey proposed to Kelsey Anderson, a junior project manager from New Orleans, who joyfully accepted his offer. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what to expect in The Bachelor season 29.

Latest Updates on The Bachelor Season 29

Renewal Announcement

On May 10, 2024, ABC confirmed the renewal of The Bachelor for a 29th season through an Instagram post. The announcement included the caption, “Here for the right reason and another season! #TheBachelor will return to ABC for another season. Stream on Hulu.”This news followed Joey Graziadei’s engagement to Kelsey Anderson during the season 28 finale.

Lead for The Bachelor Season 29

Grant Ellis Takes Center Stage

Following his honorable exit from The Bachelorette season 21, ABC introduced Grant Ellis as the season 29 lead on August 12, 2024. A 30-year-old day trader originally from Newark, New Jersey, Grant currently resides in Houston, Texas. His aspirations of becoming a professional basketball player were curtailed by an injury, prompting him to transition into finance, where he has thrived.

During his time on The Bachelorette, Grant expressed a profound desire to embrace family life, specifically wanting to become both a husband and a father. He shared candid details about his family with Jenn, notably about his father’s long-standing battle with addiction. Shortly before Grant’s departure for filming, his father entered rehab, a moment that made Grant immensely proud as they began to rebuild their relationship.

Grant and Jenn formed a notable bond, highlighted by a memorable horseback riding date. Despite making it to Jenn’s top seven, he was sent home before the hometown dates, expressing feelings of emptiness in his confessional. He poignantly remarked on his wish to love wholeheartedly and to receive equal devotion in return.

In a notable move, ABC executive Robert Mills clarified that Grant’s early announcement aims to allow potential contestants ample time to apply for his season, urging those interested to act quickly. This is considered a positive shift within the Bachelor franchise.

Casting Highlights for Season 29

Introducing Grant’s Contestants

On Instagram, The Bachelor unveiled the 25 women competing for Grant’s affection. Contestants include:

Alexe (27, Pediatric Speech Therapist, New Brunswick, Canada)
Alli Jo (30, Boxing Trainer, Manalapan, NJ)
Allyshia (29, Interior Designer, Tampa, FL)
Bailey (27, Social Media Manager, Atlanta, GA)
Beverly (30, Insurance Salesperson, Howard Beach, NY)
Carolina (28, Public Relations Producer, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico)
Chloe (27, Model, New York, NY)
Christina (26, Marketing Director, Fargo, ND)
Dina (31, Attorney, Chicago, IL)
Ella (25, Luxury Travel Host, Los Angeles, CA)
J’Nae (28, Account Coordinator, Colorado Springs, CO)
Juliana (28, Client Service Associate, Newton, MA)
Kelsey (26, Interior Designer, Brooklyn, NY)
Kyleigh (26, Retail Manager, Wilmington, NC)
Litia (31, Venture Capitalist, Salt Lake City, UT)
Natalie (25, Ph.D. Student, Louisville, KY)
Neicey (32, Pediatrician, Blythewood, SC)
Parisa (29, Pediatric Behavior Analyst, Birmingham, MI)
Radhika (28, Attorney, New York, NY)
Rebekah (31, ICU Nurse, Dallas, TX)
Rose (27, Registered Nurse, Chicago, IL)
Sarafiena (29, Associate Media Director, New York, NY)
Savannah (27, Wedding Planner, Charlottesville, VA)
Vicky (28, Nightclub Server, Las Vegas, NV)
Zoe (27, Tech Engineer and Model, New York, NY)

Notably, this cast is the smallest since season 16, which also featured 25 women. Previous seasons have witnessed larger casts, with the biggest being the 37 women in Matt James’ season. Compared to season 28, Grant’s group is significantly smaller, having seven fewer contestants.

Premiere Information for Season 29

Scheduled Premiere in January 2025

As confirmed in an Instagram post on November 11, 2024, Bachelor Nation announced that The Bachelor season 29 is set to debut on January 27, 2025. The post featured Grant with a floating red rose petals backdrop, where he used the iconic phrase, “Hey! Can I steal you for a second?”and teased the premiere date.

The new season will be available on ABC and streaming on Hulu. Fans flocked to the comments section to express their enthusiasm, with many praising Grant’s selection as the lead. Co-star Austin Ott echoed the excitement, saying, “Let’s gooooooo. can’t wait!”Fellow contestant Autumn Waggoner also joined in the countdown.

While the finale date remains unannounced, previous seasons offer insight into potential timelines. Season 28 premiered on January 22, 2024, and concluded with its finale on March 25, 2024. It is expected that Grant’s season will follow a similar framework, featuring hometown visits, Fantasy Suite dates, and potentially a proposal at its conclusion.

As Grant embarks on his journey to discover love, his earnest and compassionate nature shines through, making him an ideal choice for The Bachelor. Viewers have every reason to be excited about his journey ahead.

Mark your calendars: The Bachelor season 29 is set to premiere on January 27, 2025, on ABC.

Sources: ABC/Instagram, ABC/Instagram, Robert Mills/X, The Bachelor/Instagram, Bachelor Nation/Instagram

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