Summary
Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson’s love story onThe Bachelorseason 28 had me convinced that they’d be together forever, but I’ve since changed my mind. The season ended with Joey Graziadei getting down on one knee and proposing to Kelsey Anderson, after runner-up Daisy Kent figured out that she wasn’t going to receive Joey’s final rose. The 28-year-old tennis professional was introduced to 32 eligible single women, which was the highest number of women to ever participate in the long-running series. Though Joey hit it off with several amazing women, in the end, he gave his final rose to 25-year-old junior project manager Kelsey.
SinceThe Bachelorseason 28was filmed several months before the finale aired,Joey and Kelsey had to keep their relationship a secret the whole time. They failed to do so, as they inadvertently posted social media photos, leading to speculation they were vacationing together. When they finally went public with their relationship, it all seemed like a dream come true. As the happy couple walked off into the sunset hand-in-hand, I was convinced that they’d live happily ever after. Since then, there have been signs of trouble in paradise, and I’ve changed my mind about Joey and Kelsey’s chances.
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Joey & Kelsey’s Whirlwind Romance
Love At First Sight?
It’s hard to say whether Joey and Kelsey fell in love at first sight, but they clearly fell into heavy like at first sight. The pair hit it off right away, andKelsey immediately solidified herself as one of the season’s front-runners. From the moment she stepped out of the limousine and into his life onnight one ofThe Bachelorseason 28, the chemistry between the young couple was off the charts. Kelsey was instantly drawn to Joey’s boyish charm, and Joey was attracted to Kelsey’s warmth and beauty.
Joey and Kelsey even shared a steamy kiss on the first night, during the season’s first cocktail party.
After the overnight dates, Joey had a serious scare when Kelsey sent a note to his hotel room, saying that they needed to talk. Joey freaked out. Throughout the season, he had revealed that hisbiggest fear was that he’d meet the right woman, but she’d leave him before the season ended.He braced himself for the worst, but it turned out that Kelsey wasn’t trying to leave. She sent the note simply because she missed Joey and wanted to see him.
Joey was relieved, but the incident had him so shaken that he completely shut down. It was unclear if he’d get over the scare in time to hand out his final two roses. In the end,he gave Kelsey a rose and eliminated Rachel Nance, whittling his options down to Kelsey and Daisy. In the end, Joey gave his final rose to Kelsey, and though I was convinced that the relationship would work, now I’m not so sure, and there are several reasons why.
Joey & Kelsey Are Already In Therapy
Not A Good Sign
In March, just days afterThe Bachelor28 season finaleaired on ABC, Joey and Kelsey toldBusiness Insiderthat they were already in couples counseling. They explained that,though things were good between them, they wanted to start counseling before they needed it. They said that counseling helped them get to know each other better, and made them understand that they have different communication styles.
Though there’s something to be said for seeking therapy when things are good, starting couplescounseling this early in a relationship could be a sign of trouble. Dating on a reality show makes it hard to really get to know someone on a deeper level, since people are performing for the cameras. Reality show dating is a highly curated experience in a manufactured reality. It would be nearly impossible to learn who someone is until the cameras stop rolling.
The counseling could help Joey and Kelsey learn how to communicate better before problems arise, but it’s hard not to read it as a bad sign this early in the relationship.
Joey & Kelsey Haven’t Set A Date Yet
The Bachelorseason 28 wrapped filming in November 2023. Seven months have passed sinceJoey put a ring on Kelsey’s finger, but the couple seem nowhere near picking a date. During theTV Insiderinterview,Kelsey and Joey said that they’ve got a lot going on and don’t want to add the pressure of planning a weddingto the mix.
Then there’s the issue of children. Joey and Kelsey don’t seem to agree on the number of children they want to have. Kelsey saidshe wants as many children as possible, while Joey wants two or threeat the most. When Kelsey said she wanted a lot of children, Joey replied that he was simply"too logical"to think like that. Though the banter about children was cute, the fact that Joey feels more logical than his wife isn’t a good sign for the future.
The Bachelor Curse
Déjà Vu For Joey & Kelsey?
Joey and Kelsey aren’t the onlyBachelorNation couple who have been in the news lately.The Golden Bachelorseason 1 stars Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist recently announced their divorce. Gerry, the 72-year-old widower and retired restaurateur, dated 22 single women in their 60s and 70s, but ultimately gave his final rose to 70-year-old fellow widower Theresa.Gerry and Theresa’sGolden Bachelorweddingtook place just a few weeks later, on January 4.The couple represented the hope of finding love later in life, so there were a lot of people rooting for them.
Sadly, Gerry and Theresa announced their split in April, citing where to live as the issue that led to the end of their marriage.
Now, Kelsey and Joey are also complaining that they can’t decide where they want to live. Joey works as a fitness pro in Hawaii, while Kelsey’s job keeps her in Louisiana. Moving would be a huge life change for either of them. The couple recently revealed thattheywere currently living at Kelsey’s place with her two roommates. The odd living situation may not prove sustainable for very long. Though the issue isn’t insurmountable, I can’t help but worry that it could end as badly forThe Bachelorcouple as it did forThe Golden Bachelorcouple.
28 years old
25 years old
The Bachelor
Cast
The series centers on a single bachelor selecting a romantic partner from a group of contestants, with episodes featuring various challenges and eliminations.
