The Bachelor: Grant Ellis set to become series’ second black male lead
ABC has announced that Grant Ellis will be the next star of Bachelorthe 29th man to take on the role since 2002. His selection was announced after the latest episode of Jenn Tran‘S Single Bride season, in which he was eliminated just before the day of the match in his hometown.
The 30-year-old day trader from Houston, Texas was last seen as a chaser during the most recent season of Single girlwhere he became something of a fan favorite. In the final episode, Ellis confessed that he loved Tran, but left emotionally instead of winning a spot with the top four contestants: Marcus Shoberg, Jeremy Simon, Devin StraderAnd Jonathon Johnson. During a private date in New Zealand this season, Ellis spoke about giving up his sports career as a basketball player after a serious injury. He also recounted a difficult childhood marred by his father’s substance abuse problems.
ABC describes Ellis in its official announcement as a “self-proclaimed mama’s boy” with an “infectious smile and unwavering positivity” that “instantly lights up any room he enters.” The next Bachelor is a former professional basketball player who also enjoys “cheering on the Lakers, hitting pins at the bowling alley, or singing his heart out at karaoke nights.” As the prospective frontrunner, Ellis “hopes to find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.”
Ellis becomes second black man to lead Bachelor, following the 2020 selection of Matt James, who is still dating the winner of her season Who is Rachael Kirkconnell? His casting follows a string of white actors from the last film. Single Bride season, including Joey Graziadei And Zach Shallcrossthose who are still engaged to their last rose recipient, and Clayton Echardwho ended his solo season before reconnecting with the contestant Susie Evans for a relationship that lasted almost a year.
Next season of Bachelor will air in 2025, also marking the return of Bachelor in Paradise after a brief hiatus. After Tran’s season Single girlinaugural season of Golden bachelor, led by former contestant Joan Vassosairs on September 18.
