Joey Graziadei, the 31-year-old tennis instructor from Pennsylvania, made his highly anticipated debut as the season 28 Bachelor on January 22nd. His premiere episode brought romance as he met the 32 women competing for his heart, but also controversy over comments he made.
Joey Hands Out First Impression Rose
Graziadei met the women during a tennis-themed cocktail party at the Bachelor mansion. He awarded ultrasound technician Charity Lawson, 26, the coveted First Impression Rose after a meaningful conversation about their families and goals. “Charity really stood out to me with her positive energy and openness to find love,” Joey told People Magazine in an exclusive interview.
While Charity appears to be an early frontrunner, Joey gave roses to 30 other women by the end of the first night, eliminating only social worker Olivia Park, 25. He told Extra he was optimistic for the most romantic season ever, but found handing out roses “sucks” and brought out his insecurities.
Controversy Over “Self-Centered” Comments
However, controversy arose when Joey made “potentially concerning” remarks during the premiere episode. He heavily emphasized that his ideal partner should support his dreams and not be “self-centered.”
Fox News suggested these comments could indicate troubling self-absorption and an inability to compromise. Relationship experts advised Graziadei to demonstrate more openness and avoid projecting high expectations onto his potential partners.
Fans on social media also criticized Joey’s focus on looks and youth. At 31, he is one of the youngest Bachelors ever, while the contestants range from 23 to 33 years old.
What’s Next For Joey’s Season?
As Joey’s season continues, Reality Steve spoiled that 25-year-old preschool teacher Daisy Kent makes it to his final four women. But many viewers are still rooting for First Impression Rose winner Charity Lawson to get the final rose.
Upcoming episodes will feature romantic destinations like Paris and Mexico. Joey also teased “lots of tennis puns” and adventures related to his favorite sport.
While Joey described his season as “life-changing”, time will tell how these first controversies impact his journey. Will he find true love, or end up with regrets? Fans anxiously await each dramatic rose ceremony to see how Joey’s story unfolds.
Meet Joey’s Bachelor Contestants
| Name | Age | Job | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charity Lawson | 26 | Ultrasound Technician | Los Angeles, CA |
| Daisy Kent | 25 | Preschool Teacher | Dallas, TX |
| Marlena Haddad | 28 | Interior Designer | Miami, FL |
| Nina Price | 30 | Fashion Designer | New York, NY |
| Skyler Depp | 24 | Model | Las Vegas, NV |
To view the full list of 32 contestants vying for Joey’s heart, check out Decider’s cast guide covering their ages, jobs, locations, social media profiles and more. Several women have already amassed large followings and endorsement deals as their journey airs on ABC.
Will one of these women get Joey’s final rose? Stay tuned as the most dramatic season yet continues Monday nights at 8/7c.
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