Joey Graziadei is the man at the centre of the 28th edition of The Bachelor
Bachelor Nation has a new idol in Joey Graziadei. First introduced to the franchise in season 20 of The Bachelorette, the 28-year-old is back for a second chance at love when season 28 of The Bachelor premieres this week.
A teaching tennis professional from Koloa, Hawaii, Graziadei first melted hearts on television with his near-winning stint in Charity Lawson’s season of The Bachelorette. One of two final matches for the leading lady, Graziadei left the show broken-hearted — and took the sympathies of many viewers with him — when Lawson chose Dotun Olubeko over him, leaving Graziadei as the season’s runner-up.
But the heartthrob wasn’t without prospective partners for long. During the “After the Show” special for season 27, The Bachelor host Jesse Palmer introduced Graziadei to Lea Cayanan, a fellow Hawaiian and future contestant this season. While Cayanan was brought on the after show as somewhat of a teaser for things to come, Graziadei hardly has to choose someone from his state — some 32 women await him.
Among them are Zoe Antona (24), Rachel Nance (26), Allison Hollinger (26), Autumn Waggoner (26), Chandler Dewgard (24), Edwina Dorber (25), Evalin Clark (28), Erika Cardenas (25), Jennifer Tran (25), Katelyn DeBacker (26), Jessica Edwards (24), Kyra Brusch (26), Kelsey Anderson (25), Lauren Hollinger (28), Lexi Young (30), Marlena Haddad (26), Starr Skyler (25), Sandra Rabadi (26) and Sydney Gordon (28).
The youngest contestants this season are 23-year-olds Lea Cayanan, Taylor Wiens and Talyah Jackson. Meanwhile, Kelsey Toussant, Samantha Hale and Madina Alam are at the top of the age range, all at 31.
Most notable among the women vying for the new Bachelor’s affections, however, would likely have to be 25-year-old Nebraska beauty queen Samantha Washington. The daughter of retired NFL safety Brian Washington — who ended his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1996 after eight years in the league — she has NFL ties herself, as a professional cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins. She may have a leg up in making a potential love connection if the conversation turns to sports.
Graziadei also flaunts some of his Canadian ties this season, bringing cameras north of the border to Montreal. Rumour has it season 28 also filmed at Alberta’s Fairmont Jasper Park last October — a site that was previously arranged for season 17 but was canned due to ongoing travel restrictions imposed by the Canadian government.
Similarly, Graziadei’s roster of potential matches also includes three Canadians: Maria Georgas (29) of Kleinburg, Ontario; Natalie Crepeau (25) of Sudbury, Ontario; and Chrissa Perez (26) of Abbotsford, B.C.
South of the Great White North, cameras continued rolling, capturing tons of footage in Agoura Hills, California, a quaint town in the Santa Monica Mountains where several seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have previously been filmed. Punctuated by stately mansions, high-end restaurants, well-groomed parks and a lively nightlife — particularly where live music is concerned — Agoura Hills is the perfect location to bring a date . . . or 32 dates, as the case may be.
When Agoura Hills becomes old hat, though, the private jet awaits to take Graziadei and his chosen guests abroad: Malta, Mexico and Spain are all on the flight plan for the new season.
For hardcore Bachelor fans, however, it’s not just about the places visited, it’s about the Bachelor himself. According to an ABC press release, “Graziadei is looking for a life partner who is outgoing, caring and shares his love for adventure and exploring the outdoors.”
The release further notes that “he loves hiking, surfing and ending his days watching the sunset,” but also makes sure to mention that “he has much more love to give, and the only thing missing is someone with whom to share his life.”
As the newest Bachelor, Graziadei hopes to find all of this in one lucky contestant. Having already been prepared to propose at least once in his life — to former Bachelorette Lawson — seasoned fans know that he’s ready to find “the one” and focus on their future together. A child of divorce himself (Graziadei shared the story of his father’s coming out and his parents’ subsequent split with Lawson and Palmer during the Bachelorette after show in August), Graziadei has since wished for someone with whom he can truly be himself, but he never imagined it would lead to such a dramatic televised journey.
“This is crazy,” Graziadei told Palmer following The Bachelorette season 20’s final rose ceremony. “I never expected this at all. I never knew this is what my life was turning into.”
The Bachelor airs Monday, January 22, on City & ABC