In an early announcement, Grant Ellis has been selected as the lead for the 29th season of the ABC dating show “The Bachelor.” Ellis, a day trader from Houston who recently appeared on the current season of “The Bachelorette,” will take on the role in 2025.
The network revealed Ellis as the next Bachelor immediately after his elimination from “The Bachelorette” this week, departing from their usual practice of waiting until a season concludes. Ellis connected deeply with Bachelorette Jenn Tran through open communication and sincerity. While their journey ended before hometown visits, Ellis left a strong impression with viewers through his genuine approach.
The sudden announcement came as a surprise to fans. According to Rob Mills, executive vice president at Disney, the early reveal aims to encourage applications for Ellis’s season while interest is high. Traditionally, “The Bachelor” premieres in January, suggesting Ellis’s filming may start in late 2024.
Ellis will be only the second Black Bachelor in the show’s history, following Matt James in 2020. Producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner recently acknowledged the need for more diversity after facing criticism.
Viewer reaction has been mixed – some express excitement for Ellis, while others feel he deserved a bigger reveal event. Nonetheless, enthusiasm is growing within the dedicated “Bachelor Nation” fanbase as they get to know Ellis before his season airs. His bio notes interests like cheering for the Lakers, singing karaoke, and working in finance when not spending time with his mother.
By announcing the next Bachelor early, ABC highlights their commitment to diversity and testing new strategies to maintain engagement across the long franchise. As Ellis’s “Bachelorette” episodes continue on Monday nights, fans can now watch with insight into his upcoming lead role.
