28-year-old tennis pro instructor and Philadelphia native Joey Graziadei began his journey to find love on Monday, Jan. 22nd when he met an astounding 32 women – the most in Bachelor franchise history. Hopeful contenders included sisters Allison and Lauren (28 and 26, Philadelphia), blindly assuming the show would be “a really good experience to try out together.” They have dated the same men in the past, although, not at the same time. In their introductions, “here for the massive support,” Taylor (23, Chicago) generously gifted what was much larger than a “DD” bra to Joey, while Talyah (23, California) proudly arrived with a pre-made save-the-date card for August 20th of this year. Despite these bold efforts, Graziadei was visibly taken with Daisy (25, Minnesota), Kelsey A. (25, New Orleans) and Lexi (30, Atlanta). Although not as notable in their entrances, Joey additionally showed slight interest in Rachel (26, Hawaii), Maria (29, Ontario), Chrissa (26, British Columbia) and Jenn (25, Miami).
Jess (24, San Diego) stole the first kiss and proudly announced it to the rest of the women to kickstart her villain arc. It wasn’t until she attempted to chat with Graziadei for a second time throughout the night (while multiple women were still waiting patiently for round one) that she officially cemented her name in Bachelor villain history. Taylor was deeply offended, as her chance to find love was potentially jeopardized; conflict should ensue in subsequent weeks.
A new twist this season was revealed when Lea (23, Hawaii) had the opportunity to meet Graziadei early during “The Bachelorette” live reunion show last season and received a sealed envelope. Upon opening it at the mansion and discovering a new “steal a 1-on-1” advantage, she smartly threw it into the Bachelor Mansion fireplace. Graziadei caught notice of the act, and Lea came away with the first impression rose. At the first rose ceremony of the season, Graziadei was forced to cut the group down to 22, saying goodbye to Chandler (such a missed connection), Kayla, Kyra, Lanie, Nat, Sam, Samantha, Sandra, Talyah (hopefully she didn’t already book the venue) and Zoe.
As for the predictability of the rest of the season, producers are more than likely to plan a 2-on-1 date between Graziadei and the sisters, with strong encouragement for bringing 1 sister to hometowns to uncomfortably run into the latter. Either way, he’s doomed to run into at least one of them in Philadelphia following the completion of his season. Additionally, approximately halfway through the season, one important contestant (but not too important that the rest of Graziadei’s love story turns to shambles) will rethink what she signed up for and leave Graziadei. Nonetheless, Graziadei will leave the show engaged, despite what the season preview has led viewers to believe: a lone rose on a pedestal accompanied by Graziadei sobbing nearby to producers just means he recently dumped his runner-up and felt bad about it.
Fans can continue to tune into Graziadei’s journey on Monday nights at 8 pm EST (ABC), as Bachelor producers surely attempt to make this season the most dramatic of them yet. Game, set, match!