From the moment Grant Ellis gave his grandmother Corine Frank Russell (who passed in November 2024 and was remembered in the credits), his first impression rose to show his love for her, we knew this would be a season like no other.
The second African American male to step into the Bachelor role for the series 29th season, the women showed up and showed out.
With a diverse selection of women of different races, ethnicities and sizes, Ellis, a 31-year-old day trader from New Jersey who now lives in Houston, Texas, is guaranteed to find love with one of these incredible women. But understanding that Black love is on the line, this season’s Black contestants did not come to play.
Determined to stand out, we met:
J’Nae, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, took her shot by throwing chalk with Ellis, a fellow basketball player;
Alexe from Canada, who brought a “No Dramah-Llama”;
Zoe from New York City, who shot a t-shirt gun filled with tees featuring her and Grant’s faces into the lounge for the other girls and many more.
Then there was Bailey, the social media manager from Atlanta, who asked Grant to take her photo because her man needs to know her angles. When she pulled him over and slipped him into a wig for another selfie in the mansion, it was a reality TV cringe moment.
We did have to wait two girls in to see Ellis kiss a woman of color, Litia, from Salt Lake City, Utah. But after that, it really was like “Hunger Games,” as one contestant put it, as Ellis locked lips with several contestants on their first night.
Seems like the llama was a smart move. Alexe got the first impression rose, which means she’ll go on the first one-on-one date. Litia, Zoe, Vicky, Beverly, Rebekah, Sarafiena and yes, even Bailey got roses on the first night. We do have to give Ellis a slap on the hand for not picking Neicey, a pediatrician from Blythewood, South Carolina—she’s a doctor!
Are we all convinced that Ellis’ sister will be the next Bachelorette?
The Bachelor airs on Mondays on ABC.
