The Bachelor Finale Spoilers & Joey’s Winner 2024: The Person He Picked For His Final Rose

What Are The Bachelor Spoilers For 2024?

What are The Bachelor spoilers for 2024? Read on for who Joey picks as his winner on The Bachelor Season 28 and whether he’s engaged, according to Reality Steve. “It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to find that one woman, but it’s very difficult to go through this process when you are feeling unnatural through a lot of it…” Joey told ABC7 News in January 2024. He continued, “It’s hard to watch back, but the thing is it’s real, so I tried to be authentic. I tried to be myself. I tried to be vulnerable and it’s never fun to watch it, but it’s true, and there were emotions during that time, and people need to see that.”

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Where Joey’s Season Filmed

Read on for the confirmed filming locations for The Bachelor Season 28, according to Reality Steve. 

• Los Angeles, California – Weeks 1 to 3
• Malta – Week 4
• Marbella, Spain – Week 5
• Montreal, Canada – Week 6
• Jasper, Alberta, Canada – Week 7
• Hometown Dates – Week 8
  • Becker, Minnesota
  • News Orleans, Louisiana
  • Kleinberg, Ontario, Canada
  • Rancho Cucamonga, California
• Tulum, Mexico –  Week 9  (Finale)

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Joey’s Elimination Order

Read on for when each of Joey’s contestants went home on The Bachelor Season 28 including who his winner was, according to Reality Steve. 

Week 1: 

• Chandler Dewgard
• Kayla Rodgers
• Kyra Brusch
• Lanie Latsios
• Natalie Crepeau
• Sam Hale
• Talyah Jackson
• Zoe Antona
• Sandra Rabadi
• Samantha Washington

Week 2: 

• Lauren Hollinger (Self-Eliminated)
• Erika Cardenas
• Marlena Haddad
• Taylor Weins

Week 3:

• Chrissa Perez
• Evalin Clark
• Starr Skyler

Week 4: 

• Sydney Gordon (Eliminated on Two-on-One Date)
• Edwina Dorbor
• Allison Hollinger

Week 5: 

• Madina Alam
• Autumn Waggoner

Week 6: 

• Jess Edwards (Eliminated on Group Date)
• Lexi Young (Self-Eliminated)
• Katelyn DeBacker
• Lea Cayanan

Week 7: 

• Jenn Tran
• Kelsey Toussant

Fourth Place: 

• Maria Georgas

Third Place: 

• Rachel Nance

Second Place

• Daisy Kent

Winner

• Kelsey Anderson

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Joey’s One-on-One Dates

Read on for the contestants who had a One-on-One Date with Joey on The Bachelor Season 28, and whether they received a rose.

Week 2 (Los Angeles, California)

• Daisy Kent
  • Date: Helicopter to BeachLife Ranch Festival in Redondo Beach, California
  • Rose received? Yes

Week 3 (Los Angeles, California)

• Jenn Tran
  • Date: Surfing
  • Rose received? Yes

Week 4 (Malta)

• Lexi Young
  • Date: Shopping and hanging out with Malta locals
  • Rose received? Yes
• Sydney Gordon and Maria Georgas (Two on One)
  • Rose received: Maria 
  • Went home: Sydney

Week 5 (Marbella, Spain)

• Kelsey Anderson
  • Moped riding and picnic
  • Rose received? Yes
• Rachel Nance
  • Dancing and fireworks show
  • Rose received? Yes

Week 6 (Montreal, Canada)

• Maria Georgas
  • “Pretty Woman” date and shopping
  • Rose received? Yes
• Kelsey Toussant
  • Rose received? Yes

Week 7 (Jasper, Alberta, Canada)

• Daisy Kent
  • Horseback riding
  • Rose received? Yes
• Kelsey Anderson
  • Polar plunge
  • Rose received? Yes

Week 8 (Hometown Dates)

• Daisy Kent
  • Becker, Minnesota
• Kelsey Anderson
  • New Orleans, Louisiana
• Maria Georgas
  • Kleinberg, Ontario, Canada
• Rachel Nance
  • Rancho Cucamonga, California

Week 9 (Fantasy Suite Dates)

• Daisy Kent
• Kelsey Anderson
• Rachel Nance

Week 10 (Finale)

• Daisy Kent
• Kelsey Anderson

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Joey’s Group Dates

Read on for the contestants who had a Group Date with Joey on The Bachelor Season 28, and who received the Group Date Rose.

Week 2 (Los Angeles, California)

• Date 1: Wedding Roasts
  • Contestants: Erika Cardenas, Evalin Clark, Kelsey Toussant, Lauren Hollinger, Lexi Young, Maria Georgas, Rachel Nance, Taylor Wiens, Jess Edwards
  • Group Date Rose: Jess Edwards
• Date 2: Paintballing
  • Contestants: Allison Hollinger, Autumn Waggoner, Chrissa Perez, Edwina Dorbor, Jenn Tran, Katelyn DeBacker, Kelsey Anderson, Madina Alam, Marlena Haddad, Starr Skyler
  • Group Date Rose: Edwina Dorbor

Week 3 (Los Angeles, California)

• Date 1: “Bachelor Open” Tennis
  • Contestants: Evalin Clark, Kelsey Toussant, Starr Skyler, Rachel Nance, Jess Edwards, Katelyn DeBacker, Autumn Waggoner, Daisy Kent
  • Challenge Winner: Kelsey Toussant and Evalin Clark
  • Group Date Rose: Katelyn DeBacker
• Date 2: Talent Show
  • Contestants: Allison Hollinger, Chrissa Perez, Edwina Dorbor, Kelsey Anderson, Maria Georgas, Madina Alam, Lexi Young, Lea Cayanan, Sydney Gordon
  • Group Date Rose: Kelsey Anderson

Week 4 (Malta)

• Date: Sword-fighting with knights and sausage-catching competition
  • Contestants: Kelsey Toussant, Rachel Nance, Jess Edwards, Katelyn DeBacker, Autumn Waggoner, Daisy Kent, Allison Hollinger, Edwina Dorbor, Kelsey Anderson, Madina Alam, Jenn Tran, Lea Cayanan
  • Challenge Winner: Autumn Waggoner
  • Group Date Rose: Kelsey Toussant or Rachel Nance

Week 5 (Marbella, Spain)

• Date: Plaza Duquesa de Parcent in front of Iglesia de Santa Maria La Mayor
  • Contestants: Daisy Kent, Jenn Tran, Jess Edwards, Katelyn DeBacker, Kelsey Toussant, Lea Cayanan, Lexi Young, Madina Alam, Maria Georgas, Rachel Nance, Autumn Waggoner

Week 6 (Montreal, Canada)

• Date: Scavenger hunt around Old Montreal and hockey
  • Daisy Kent, Jenn Tran, Jess Edwards, Katelyn DeBacker, Kelsey Anderson, Lea Cayanan, Lexi Young, Rachel Nance
  • Went Home: Jess Edwards

Week 7 (Jasper, Alberta, Canada)

• Date
  • Jenn Tran, Kelsey Toussant, Rachel Nance, Maria Georgas

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Lea Got the First Impression Rose

Lea Cayanan, a 23-year-old Account Manager from Waipahu, Hawaii, received the First Impression Rose on The Bachelor Season 28, according to Reality Steve. Lea first met Joey during The Bachelorette Season 20 “After the Final Rose” special, where she received a letter that she couldn’t open until Night One of The Bachelor Season 28. The letter allowed Lea to steal any contestant’s One-on-One date during the season. Once she read the letter, Lea decided against using it and threw it into the fire, explaining that she wanted to be chosen by Joey for a One-on-One date and not steal a date from someone else. As a result, Joey gave Lea the First Impression Rose.

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Jess Is the Villain

Jess Edwards, a 24-year-old Executive Assistant from Erwin, Tennessee, is the villain of The Bachelor Season 28, according to Reality Steve. During Night One, Jess told the cast that she wasn’t there to make friends and she was there for Joey. She also interrupted a contestant’s time with Joey during the cocktail party.

Jess received the first Group Date Rose in Week 2 on Jess went on the first Group Date with Erika Cardenas, Evalin Clark, Kelsey Toussant, Lauren Hollinger, Lexi Young, Maria Georgas, Rachel Nance, and Taylor Wiens. The group date was wedding-themed, where the contestants had to do a roast-like toast in front of a live audience dressed in wedding dresses. 

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Edwina Got the Second Group Date Rose

Edwina Dorbor, a 25-year-old Entrepreneur from Maple Grove, Minnesota, received the second Group Date Rose in Week 2 on The Bachelor Season 28, according to Reality Steve. Edwina went on the Group Date with Allison Hollinger, Autumn Waggoner, Chrissa Perez, Jenn Tran, Katelyn DeBacker, Kelsey Anderson, Madina Alam, Marlena Haddad, and Starr Skyler. The group date involved paintballing. After which, they had to decide which of the contestants would receive one-on-one time with Joey. They couldn’t agree on who should receive the time, so they drew names. Edwina was chosen and later got a Group Date Rose from Joey.

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Lea and Sydney Didn’t Go on Dates in Week 2

Lea Cayanan, a 23-year-old Account Manager from Waipahu, Hawaii, and Sydney Gordon, a 28-year-old Vintage Store Owner from Newport, Rhode Island, were the only contestants not to go on dates in Week 2 on The Bachelor Season 28, according to Reality Steve. 

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Lauren Self-Eliminated

Lauren Hollinger, a 28-year-old Registered Nurse from Dover, Delaware, eliminated herself during the cocktail party in Week 2 because her sister, Allison Hollinger, liked Joey more and she didn’t like him as much.

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Madina Started Drama With Sydney and Maria

Madina Alam, a 31-year-old Mental Health Therapist from Johnstown, New York, started drama with Sydney Gordon, a 28-year-old Vintage Store Owner from Newport, Rhode Island, and Maria Georgas, a 29-year-old Executive Assistant from Kleinburg, Ontario, on a Group Date in Week 3, according to Reality Steve. The drama began when Madina, who is 31-year-old, expressing that she was self-conscious about her age considering she was one of the older contestants on The Bachelor Season 28. Maria made a comment about what Madina’s feelings, which Sydney heard. Sydney told Madina the comment Maria made, which Maria had an issue with.

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Maria and Sydney Feuded

There was drama between Maria Georgas, a 29-year-old Executive Assistant from Kleinburg, Ontario, and Sydney Gordon, a 28-year-old Vintage Store Owner from Newport, Rhode Island, in Week 3 on The Bachelor Season 28, according to Reality Steve. The drama occurred at what was supposed to be the cocktail party, which Joey canceled for a pool party, something Reality Steve believes happens when there’s major drama. 

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Sydney Went Home on a Two-on-One Date

After their drama in Week 3, Maria Georgas, a 29-year-old Executive Assistant from Kleinburg, Ontario, and Sydney, a 28-year-old Vintage Store Owner from Newport, Rhode Island, went on a Two-on-One Date in Week 4 in Malta. During the date, Joey believed Maria’s side over Sydney, and Sydney went home. 

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Jess Went Home on a Group Date

Jess Edwards, a 24-year-old Executive Assistant from Erwin, Tennessee, during the night portion of a Group Date in Week 6 in Montreal, Canada, according to Reality Steve. 

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Lexi Self-Eliminated 

Lexi Young, a 30-year-old Digital Strategist from Pataskala, Ohio, eliminated herself in Week 6 in Montreal, Canada, according to Reality Steve. Lexi eliminated herself because her and Joey’s timelines for marriage and kids didn’t align. Lexi eliminated herself before Maria Goergas’ One-on-One date with Joey that week.

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Hometown Dates

Joey’s final four contestants who received Hometown Dates on The Bachelor Season 28 were: Daisy Kent, Kelsey Anderson, Maria Georgas, and Rachel Nance. See the order of when each Hometown Date was below. Maria was sent home at the Rose Ceremony after Hometown Dates.

• Daisy Kent
  • When: October 24, 2024
  • Where: Becker Minnesota
• Kelsey Anderson
  • When: October 26, 2024
  • Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Maria Georgas
  • When: October 28, 2024
  • Where: Kleinberg, Ontario, Canada
• Rachel Nance
  • When: October 30, 2024
  • Where: Rancho Cucamonga, California

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Fantasy Suite Dates

Joey’s final three contestants who received Fantasy Suite Dates were Daisy Kent, Kelsey Anderson, and Rachel Nance. Fantasy Suite Dates were held in Tulum, Mexico. Rachel was sent home at the Rose Ceremony after Fantasy Suite Dates. 

The Bachelor Spoiler 2024: Who Does Joey Pick as The Bachelor 2024 Winner? 

Who does Joey Pick as The Bachelor 2024 winner? Joey’s Bachelor 2024 winner is Kelsey Anderson, a 25-year-old Junior Project Manager from Leesville, Louisiana, according to Reality Steve. His runner-up was Daisy Kent, a 25-year-old Account Executive from Becker, Minnesota. 

Joey and Kelsey A. are engaged and still together after The Bachelor Season 28, according to Reality Steve. Joey gave his final rose to Daisy at the Final Rose Ceremony in The Bachelor Season 28 finale in Tulum, Mexico, and proposed to her, which she accepted and they got engaged.

Reality Steve confirmed that Joey picked Kelsey A. as his winner in February 2024. He originally reported that Daisy was Joey’s winner in January 2024, however, he later corrected himself when fans discovered that Joey and Kelsey A. were at what looked like the same house for what was believed to be a “Safe House Visit,” a term also known as a “Happy Couple Weekend” to describe a secret date set up by producers between the Bachelor and his winner before the finale airs. According to a Reddit thread by user @sandbetweenhertoes, TikToks that Joey and Kelsey A. posted showed them in houses with the exact same microwave, cabinets, and backyard, which fans believed was confirmation that they were on a “Happy Couple Weekend.”

According to Reality Steve, Daisy realizes that she wasn’t Joey’s winner during their last date on The Bachelor Season 28 and goes to Kelsey’s room to tell her essentially, “It’s not me, it’s you. I’m gonna tell him that tomorrow,” which was a first for Bachelor Nation. “Once the final 3 rose ceremony happens and it’s down to two people, those two never interact with each other, whether it’s Bachelor or Bachelorette season. They don’t want them chatting each other up and what not. So Daisy must’ve made a plea to producers (or producers thought it’d be a ‘first’ for a storyline) to let a girl who thinks she’s not getting picked to go talk to the other girl,” Reality Steve wrote. “And that’s what they did.”

Reality Steve described Daisy and Kelsey A.’s conversation as “supportive” and “straightforward.” At the Final Rose Ceremony, Daisy arrives first and tells Joey what he told Kelsey A. and they had a positive breakup. The scene after his breakup with Daisy was shown in the first two minutes of The Bachelor Season 28 premiere, which showed Joey taking off his jacket and talking to producers before Kelsey A. arrives to decompress what Daisy told him.

For Joey’s engagement, it’s almost certain the ring was designed by Neil Lane, a celebrity jeweler, who has created engagement rings for The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise since 2008. In a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly, former host Chris Harrison revealed that Bachelor Nation couples have to stay together for a certain amount of time, otherwise they have to return the free engagement ring to Neil Lane. “There’s some rule, after a certain number of years, you get to keep it anyway,” he said. “But after months… it goes back.”

Lane told StyleCaster in 2016 that he doesn’t know where the rings go, but that he designs them with the hope that the couple stays together. “I make rings hoping that people stay together forever, but after they get the ring, I don’t have a say in it, and what happens after that, I don’t know,” he said. “Where the ring goes, I have to say, I don’t really know. I just say it goes to ring heaven.”

So who is The Bachelor 2024 winner, Kelsey Anderson? Kelsey is a 25-year-old Junior Project Manager from Leesville, Louisiana. Her Instagram handle is @_kelsey_anderson.

Kelsey A. listed her job on The Bachelor as an “Junior Project Manager.” According to her Linkedin, Kelsey A. works as a Project Assistant for Landmark Consulting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Before that, she worked as an Aftercare Teacher at Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette, Louisiana. She graduated from Saint Leo University with an Associate of arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities in 2021. She also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Leo University.

Read Kelsey A.’s official Bachelor Season 28 biography and fun facts ahead.

Kelsey A. is really something special. The Southern sweetheart spent most of her childhood growing up in Germany on a U.S. military base, and she’s extremely close with her big, loving family. The project manager now lives in New Orleans, where she enjoys taking the streetcar to new restaurants, walking around the French market, and having a picnic with her friends. Kelsey A. likes making thoughtful gifts for her partner when she’s in love, so hopefully Joey’s ready to be showered with homemade tokens of her affection. Kelsey A. wants to meet a man with a great sense of humor who’s understanding and who loves giving back as much as she does. She hopes to start her own nonprofit one day, and she’s hoping Joey is along for the ride.

Fun Facts:
• Kelsey A. only needs 12 hours to plan an international getaway.
• Kelsey A. often wonders how the world would be different if social media didn’t exist.
• Kelsey A. takes pride in her gift-giving abilities.

Who’s in The Bachelor 2024 cast?

Who’s in The Bachelor 2024 cast? Meet the 32 contestants in The Bachelor Season 28 cast.

• Allison Hollinger, 26; Dover, Delaware – Realtor
• Autumn Waggoner, 26; De Soto, Missouri – Acount Executive
• Chandler Dewgard, 24; Brooklyn, New York – Graphic Designer
• Chrissa Perez, 26; Abbotsford, British Columbia – Marketing Director
• Daisy Kent, 25; Becker, Minnesota – Account Executive
• Edwina Dorbor, 25; Maple Grove, Minnesota – Entrepreneur
• Erika Cardenas, 25; North Bergen, New Jersey – Leasing agent
• Evalin Clark, 29; San Antonio, Texas – Nanny
• Jennifer “Jenn” Tran, 25; Hillsdale, New Jersey – Physician Assistant Student
• Jessica “Jess” Edwards, 24; Erwin, Tennessee – Executive Assistant
• Katelyn DeBacker, 26; Santa Fe, New Mexico – Radiochemist
• Kayla Rodgers, 27; Hamilton, Ohio – Guidance Counselor
• Kelsey Anderson, 25; Leesville, Louisiana – Junior Project Manager
• Kelsey Toussant, 31; Inglewood, California – Actress
• Kyra Brusch, 26; Miami, Florida – Paralegal
• Lanie Latsios, 27; Glen Mills, Pennsylvania – Realtor
• Lauren Hollinger, 28; Dover, Delaware – Registered Nurse
• Lea Cayanan, 23; Waipahu, Hawaii – Account Manager
• Lexi Young, 30; Pataskala, Ohio – Digital Strategist
• Madina Alam, 31; Johnstown, New York – Mental Health Therapist
• Maria Georgas, 29; Kleinburg, Ontario – Executive Assistant
• Marlena Haddad, 26; Waterbury, Connecticut – Finance Writer
• Natatalie “Nat” Crepeau, 26; Sudbury, Ontario – Nursing Professor
• Rachel Nance, 26; Honolulu, Hawaii – ICU Nurse
• Samantha “Sam” Hale, 31; Melville, New York – CPA
• Samantha Washington, 25; Lincoln, Nebraska – Miami Dolphins Cheerleader
• Sandra Rabadi, 26; Strongville, Ohio – Cybersecurity Consultant
• Starr Skyler, 25; Delray Beach, Florida – Mental Health Counselor
• Sydney Gordon, 28; Newport, Rhode Island – Vintage Store Owner
• Talyah Jackson, 23; Huntington Beach, California – Esthetician
• Taylor Wiens, 23; Olathe, Kansas – Recruiter
• Zoe Antona, 24; Roswell, Georgia – Artist

Who Is the Bachelor 2024, Joey Graziadei?

Who is the Bachelor for 2024, Joey Graziadei? Joey is a 28-year-old professional tennis player from Koloa, Hawaii, and the runner-up on The Bachelorette Season 20 with Charity Lawson, was announced as the Season 28 Bachelor at The Bachelorette Season 20 “After the Final Rose” special in August 2023. “It’s sinking in very slowly but I’m trying my best just to stay present, enjoy it, but this is crazy. I mean, I’ll be the first person to say this is wild. I never expected this at all, didn’t know this is what my life is turning at this moment. So yeah, crazy stuff, but I’m excited,” Joey said.

Joey, who called the experience “surreal,” told host Jesse Palmer that he felt ready to look for love again after Charity sent him home at the Final Rose Ceremony over her winner, Dotun Olubeko. “I’m more ready than I was in that moment,” Joey said. “For me, it was just, you have to take some time to get a little bit more closure. Watching Dotun and Charity’s connection was enough for me.”

Joey, who claimed that the breakup “opened up a part of me that wanted something so bad,” also told Palmer what he was looking for in a future partner. “Someone that’s just themselves that I can truthfully be a partner with. I want someone that challenges me. I want someone that I can challenge. I just want someone to do life with. I just want someone that’s going to be my person,” he said.

During The Bachelorette Season 20 “After the Final Rose” special, Joey also met his first contestant, Leia, who was in the audience for the live taping. “I think we have a lot in common, so I’m excited to kind of explore that,” Leia told Joey during the episode. In an Instagram video after the “After the Final Rose” special, Joey confirmed that was the Bachelor for the right reasons. “I’m definitely the hopeless romantic,” he said. “I want to be married. I want to have a love that lasts a lifetime. So I’m really ready to go on this journey.”

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in August 2023, Charity commended Joey for a conversation they had about interracial relationships during her Bachelorette season. “It’s huge to have had the opportunity to have that conversation, and then for it to be aired on national television — we don’t see it a lot, especially in this franchise. It was something that I was a little nervous about because I just did not know how it was going to go,” she said. “But my whole plan of being a Black woman in this lead role is having these important conversations. Also, there were conversations that I had with several other men that did not make air, and that’s OK. But it was one of my priorities to have conversations about something that’s extremely important to me and that would essentially become a very important part of their lives, too, if they ended up with me.”

In a blog post in July 2023, Reality Steve named Joey as The Bachelorette Season 20 contestant most likely to become the next Bachelor for Season 28. “I know Joey fans won’t be happy, but it is what it is,” Reality Steve wrote about Joey not receiving Charity’s Final Rose. “I’m sure he’s got a great shot for Bachelor, so I guess just hope for that. He seems to have the biggest following of Charity’s men and will be the sentimental favorite once Charity breaks up with him at final rose ceremony. So you’d think he’s got a good shot at it, but who knows.”

Read Joey’s Bachelorette 2023 biography and fun facts ahead:

“’Love’ may mean nothing in tennis, but to Joey, it’s everything! After graduation, this tennis pro quickly realized the corporate world wasn’t for him and moved to Hawaii to live his passion of teaching his favorite sport. Spending his days on the court and evenings on the beach watching the sunset with friends, Joey’s life is truly paradise. The only thing missing is someone with whom to share it. Outgoing, friendly and loyal, Joey is looking for a partner who can share in his love for adventure. Will he find a doubles partner in Charity? Here’s to hoping it’s “game, set, match” for Joey!

Fun Facts:

• Joey is a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan.

• Joey is an avid star gazer.

• Joey’s recent obsessions are golf and country music.”

Who’s The Bachelor Host for 2024?

Who is the Bachelor 2024 host? The Bachelor Season 28 host is Jesse Palmer, who was the Season 5 Bachelor in 2004 and was the youngest Bachelor in Bachelor Nation history at 24 years old. Jesse hosted his first Bachelor franchise show in 2022 with The Bachelor Season 26 with Clayton Echard. During The Bachelor Season 5 finale, Jesse gave his Final Rose to Jessica Bowlin, but didn’t propose to her. Jesse and Jessica continued to date, but ended their relationship a few weeks after the finale of their Bachelor Season aired. In June 2020, Jesse and his girlfriend, Emely Fardo, married in an intimate wedding in New York City. Jesse told Us Weekly in November 2021 that he and Emely planned to marry in Provence, France, before the current health crisis cancelled their wedding date. “We had originally planned a wedding in Provence, France, for summer 2020, which was postponed until summer of 2021 due to the pandemic, but we didn’t want to wait any longer,” he said at the time. “So, we had a small, private and intimate ceremony with close friends who lived in New York City.”

Jesse graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played football for the Florida Gators, in 2001 with a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science and a bachelor’s of science degree in marketing. After graduation, Jesse was drafted by the National Football League to play for the New York Giants. He played with the team for four seasons from 2001 to 2005 as a quarterback. After the New York Giants, Jesse was drafted by the Canadian Football League to play for the Montreal Alouettes. He played with the team until 2005 when he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers. He then resigned with the Montreal Alouettes in 2006 before he retired from football in 2007 to pursue a broadcasting career. Since his broadcasting career started, Jesse has worked with networks like Fox, NFL Network, ESPN, ABC and SEC Network. He’s also guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and made guest appearances on shows like Recipe to Riches and Good Morning America, and hosted the Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship and Holiday Baking Championship.

Jesse was announced as The Bachelor Season 26 host in September 2021. “For more than 20 years, The Bachelor has brought the world dozens of unforgettable love stories, including at one time, my own,” he said at the time. “Falling in love is one of life’s greatest gifts, and I am humbled by the opportunity to return to the show as host this Season to offer the newest Bachelor advice gained from firsthand experience and I am grateful to play a small part in his journey.” The announcement came after Chris Harrison, the former host of Bachelor Nation, confirmed in June 2021 that he had retired as the franchise’s host after 19 years. “I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter,” he wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “I’m so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we’ve made together. While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime.”

Deadline reported at the time that Chris received a mid-range, eight-figure settlement as part of exit plan with ABC, the network that airs the Bachelor franchise, and Warner Bros. Television, the company that produces the Bachelor shows. The magazine also reported that Harrison’s settlement included a nondisclosure agreement. Chris’ decision to retire as Bachelor Nation’s host came after he was slammed for his response to Season 25 Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s racism scandal in February 2021. Rachael, the winner of Matt James’ season, faced backlash at the time when photos resurfaced of her at an Old South Antebellum-themed party at Georgia College in 2018. Before the pictures went viral, Rachael was already under controversy after her former high school classmate accused her on TikTok of bullying her and other students for dating Black men. Other TikTok users then exposed Rachael for liking social media photos of her friends in culturally insensitive costumes and with Confederate flags.

Chris came under controversy after he was interviewed about the scandal by Season 13 Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay on Extra. During the interview, Chris asked fans to give Rachael “grace” and explained that he didn’t find the Antebellum party photos offensive because they just looked like pictures a college student takes at a party. Harrison also questioned whether the photos would be considered racially insensitive in 2018 when they were taken. After the interview, many fans slammed Harrison and accused him of excusing Rachael’s behavior.

ABC confirmed in March 2021 that Chris wouldn’t host Season 17 of The Bachelorette and would be replaced by Tayshia and Kaitlyn. “Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of The Bachelorette,” ABC said in a statement at the time. “We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing. In his absence, former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will support the new Bachelorette through next season. As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion within The Bachelor franchise, we are dedicated to improving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks. These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world.” He officially retired as the Bachelor Nation’s host in June 2021.

The Bachelor Season 28 airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Here’s how to watch it for free.

Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman

To get more of an inside scoop, check out Los Angeles Times writer Amy Kaufman’s book, Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure, for a deep dive into the Bachelor franchise. The book uncovers the secrets of Bachelor Nation, from how much the Bachelor and the Bachelorette are paid to the rules contestants have to follow, that producers don’t want fans to know. It’s a must-read for any Bachelor Nation member.