Ex-Bachelorette contestant named star of The Bachelor season 29

The Bachelor has officially announced Grant Ellis as the lead for its upcoming season 29. This announcement came shortly after Ellis was sent home on The Bachelorette.

Ellis, who is 30 and hails from Houston, Texas, was one of the 25 hopefuls on season 21 of the dating show spinoff. His journey ended in the sixth episode. Reflecting on his unexpected elimination, Ellis expressed his disbelief to the cameras, stating, “I don’t know what else to say. I did not think that was gonna happen tonight.”

Clearly emotional, he added, “I feel empty right now. Jenn’s a great woman, and I expressed my love for her. Like I poured everything out, and it wasn’t good enough. It just sucks knowing that you feel some way about somebody and they don’t feel the same way about you.”

Ellis further shared his longing for a meaningful relationship. “I want a family. I want to be happy. I want a wife. I want to be in love. I want that, you know. I want to give that to somebody, and I want them to give that to me in return.”

In the same episode, contestants Spencer and Sam M were also sent home, leaving Devin, Jonathon, Marcus, and Jeremy still in the running.

Ellis will be making history as The Bachelor‘s second Black star, following Matt James, who led the show in 2021. James’ season was marred by a racial controversy involving frontrunner Rachel Kirkconnell and photos of her attending a plantation-themed party in 2018.

Producers of The Bachelor recently spoke with The Los Angeles Times, acknowledging their failures in protecting James from the fallout of the controversy. Executive producer Bennett Graebner said, “Here was this great Black man and we should have been celebrating his love story. Instead, what we saw was a man burdened and overwhelmed by issues of racism. It was really sad for me personally.”

So, who is Grant Ellis? According to his official Bachelor bio, Ellis is a “self-proclaimed mama’s boy.” A former pro basketball player, Ellis is currently passionate about his career as a day trader. When he’s not working, you might find him cheering on the Lakers, bowling, or singing karaoke.

As the new Bachelor, Ellis is eager for a journey filled with romance and genuine connections. He hopes to meet a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.

Born on December 15 and a Sagittarius, Ellis is also fond of salsa dancing, has ambitions to visit every country, and is curious about what technology will look like in the year 3000.

The Bachelor‘s season 29 isn’t slated to premiere until 2025. Meanwhile, the franchise’s latest spinoff, The Golden Bachelorette, will debut its first season on September 18, with former Golden Bachelor star Joan Vassos taking on the role of leading lady.

The Bachelorette season 21 continues on Mondays on ABC at 8pm ET.

Source: The Los Angeles Times