
As Grant Ellis embarked on his journey as the lead in Season 29 of The Bachelor, fans were optimistic about his potential. Having showcased a romantic and thoughtful demeanor during Jenn’s season, Grant had articulated a heartfelt ambition to become a husband and father, making him an ideal candidate for the titular role. However, his tenure as the Bachelor has already raised eyebrows. After only two episodes, Grant’s decisions have inadvertently cast two of his contestants in a villainous light, despite the reality that the blame for the ensuing drama should largely fall upon him.
The Bachelor Women Should Have Held Grant Ellis Responsible for Leaving with Zoe McGrady During the Group Date
Grant Should Have Declined Zoe’s Request
During Grant’s premiere group date, a five-on-five basketball challenge included contestants like Alli Jo Hinkes, Allyshia Gupta, Beverly Ortega, and Zoe McGrady among others. The date began with skill drills coached by children, leading to an anticipated slam dunk contest. Beverly was the first to take her shot, followed by Zoe, who surprisingly opted out of her turn to seize some solo time with Grant on a rooftop away from the game.
While Zoe’s choice to step away was motivated by her desire to create a meaningful connection, the other women expressed their shock and frustration. Sarafiena shared her disillusionment in a confessional, recognizing that the group hadn’t seen Grant since the previous rose ceremony. A fellow contestant, Juliana, humorously noted her jealousy over Zoe spending more time with the ‘future husband’, while Chloie asserted the absence of any defined rules, suggesting a chaotic free-for-all.
Upon their return, the atmosphere was tense. Host Jesse Palmer announced the conclusion of the slam dunk contest, leaving many women, especially Alli Jo, disappointed by not having had a chance to compete. The competitive spirit intensified on the court, culminating in Alli Jo and Zoe’s clash where Alli Jo took a physical stance against Zoe.
What remains perplexing is the lack of accountability from the women towards Grant for his extended absence with Zoe. While she certainly initiated the one-on-one time, Grant could have firmly declined and prioritized the group setting. The frustration directed at Zoe clarified that the women may have felt intimidated by Grant’s power to eliminate contestants, leading to his oversight being overlooked.
The Women’s Frustration with Zoe’s Continued Time with Grant
Grant Shouldn’t Have Permitted Zoe to Take Him Away
At the subsequent cocktail party, Zoe suggested that Chloie, crowned MVP of the game, deserved her time with Grant. In a combative retort, Alli Jo voiced her dissent, stressing that Zoe had not earned hers. While the other women chimed in, Zoe questioned the group’s intentions, prompting several, including Allyshia, to declare they would never engage in such behavior.
In the face of confrontations, Zoe explained her rationale: this was a rare opportunity to stand out among 18 competitors, and she played to win. However, tensions further escalated when she later interrupted Juliana’s one-on-one time with Grant, stirring further discontent among the women, particularly with Alli Jo, who felt completely sidelined.
Alli Jo’s feelings of rage were palpable, especially as she confronted Zoe about her persistent disruptions. Although Juliana attempted to mediate, it remained clear that Alli Jo’s frustrations were misdirected; she was willing to vilify Zoe without acknowledging Grant’s role in these interactions. It’s evident that Grant’s decision to indulge Zoe led to this unsightly division among the women.
The Bachelor Women Should Have Communicated More Openly With Grant About His Kiss with Carolina Sofia
Grant Permitted Carolina to Initiate a Public Kiss
During a unique R&B group date, participants such as Bailey Brown and Carolina Sofia were tasked with composing and performing songs for Grant. Carolina’s performance culminated in a passionate kiss with him, but that was just the beginning. After winning the contest, she continued to embrace Grant during a lively dance, which became the talk of the evening.
Reactions from the other contestants were mixed; Dina expressed her discomfort, while Rose openly cried for not receiving similar attention. At the after-party, the mood turned somber when Grant confronted Rebekah, sensing the discontent in the room. He was informed that many contestants felt slighted when they put forth their best efforts but were overshadowed
Further conversations revealed clashing sentiments; the women’s lack of explicit communication regarding their feelings created unnecessary tension. Carolina, feeling conflicted about her actions, openly shared her sadness over the situation and sought Grant’s reassurance that she had done nothing wrong. His encouragement reflected his struggle between maintaining connections and addressing the needs of all contestants.
While Grant was certainly part of the equation, he missed the opportunity to assess the reactions of the women during the after-party. Instead of allowing them to create a narrative of Carolina as a villain, it would have been more constructive for the group to have an earnest conversation with him about the dynamics of the kiss and the feelings surrounding it.
Grant Must Improve His Conduct as The Bachelor
Grant Should Consider His Choices More Thoughtfully
Throughout the initial episodes, Grant appears to be getting carried away in the moment, making impulsive decisions that hinder his leadership. This contrasts sharply with the genuine thoughtfulness he displayed during Jenn’s season. It is critical for him to ensure that all contestants feel valued and recognized, as the emotional fallout from his choices is palpable.
Women like Zoe and Carolina simply took initiative to stand out amidst a large group; however, the responsibility ultimately lies with Grant to manage these interactions effectively. His journey as a Bachelor holds promise—his sincerity and eagerness to find love are evident, yet he risks becoming the primary antagonist if he fails to learn from these experiences.
Moving forward, it is essential for Grant to acknowledge the feelings of the women involved and adjust accordingly. He should no longer allow others to bear the brunt of his decisions. With a little more perspective, he can change the narrative and avoid painting himself as the season’s villain.
The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
Source: The Bachelor/Instagram
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