The Bachelor Season 29 came to an emotional conclusion during March 24’s three-hour live finale event, which saw Grant Ellis get engaged to Juliana Pasquarosa.
All season long, ABC built up Ellis’ down-to-the-wire conclusion with teasers that showed him unable to make a decision on proposal day. Despite telling his Top 2 women that he was in love with them both, in the end, he realized he wasn’t runner-up Litia Garr’s person and called it quits.
Garr was so blindsided by the breakup that she assured Ellis his winner “would have a lot of questions” about the depths of their connection. But Pasquarosa assured Decider that Ellis was incredibly transparent about all of his Bachelor relationships before the season started airing.
“Even right after the engagement, we got to spend some time together and enjoy each other’s company, and when we went back to the real world and started to understand that we were going to have to watch all this back, there weren’t questions that I had to ask, because he just provided me the information I needed,” Pasquarosa explained via Zoom. “It was good knowing that I had everything I needed. I was prepared.”
Now that their Happy Couple House era is over, the fiancés are planning a trip to Italy courtesy of ABC, planning their big move to Boston, and planning on enjoying everyday life together for quite some time before they start worrying about wedding plans.
To kick off the next chapter in their love story, Ellis and Pasquarosa chatted with Decider about what they’ve learned during and after the once-in-a-lifetime Bachelor journey, who they’re rooting for on Bachelor in Paradise Season 10, how Juliana knows Jenn Tran’s ex Matt Rossi, Grant’s feelings about Dancing with the Stars, and more.
DECIDER: We saw a very emotional finale last night. After the proposal, Juliana, did you feel like Grant had those tough conversations with you and gave you the transparency and clarity that you needed regarding his connection with Litia?
JULIANA PASQUAROSA: Absolutely. Even right after the engagement we got to spend some time together and enjoy each other’s company. And then when we went back to the real world and started to understand that we were going to have to watch all this back, there weren’t questions that I had to ask, because he just provided me the information I needed. So it was good knowing that I had everything I needed. I was prepared.
When filming wraps people often use aliases for each other’s contacts in their phones to prevent spoilers. Was that the case with you too?
JULIANA: Yeah, we did. I had him in my phone as a WPOD. It’s “Wolf pack or die.” So that was fun for me.
GRANT ELLIS: Yeah, I had her in mine as the wolf emoji. So if somebody really wanted to dig into our phones, we probably would’ve given it away.
We get a front-row seat to the start of your love story, but no glimpse into the Happy Couple Era, which is so crucial to the relationship. Is there a stand out date night or memory during that period you can share with Bachelor Nation?
GRANT: Just the little things, whether it’s listening to Frank Sinatra and dancing or cooking together, or playing a piano. There’s just little things that we share together. Some things we want to keep private, but those are some that we could share.
JULIANA: Yeah. And what’s really fun, too, is when we got to spend some time together I got Grant into reality TV, because he’s never watched TV. So he was he was analyzing everything. He’s like, “What? Oh, they do that? What do you think about this person?” It was fun. It was really cute.
What shows outside of the franchise have you dabbled in, Grant?
GRANT: Oh, man. We did Love is Blind, Love Island. Those are the two big ones. [Love Island] is a crazy one.
All the “Loves.” What’s something you learned about each other, for better or worse, since filming wrapped?
JULIANA: Can I say the water bottle thing?
GRANT: Yeah. [Laughs]
JULIANA: Grant is a crazy water bottle hoarder. [Laughs] And he’ll take a couple sips out of a water bottle and leave them all around the house. And I’m like oh my god, it’s so funny to me, because I used to do that. And then to see him do that, I was like, “What the heck is happening?”
Oh that’s relatable. And is there anything you learned about yourself on this journey?
JULIANA: I think that I’ve learned a lot about myself. There’s been things that I absolutely loved about myself seeing back, and there are maybe a couple of things that I wish I could have done differently. But that’s between me and my conscience. But I think it’s it is an amazing opportunity to learn if you look at it through those lenses. I’m the type of person that always wants to grow, and at the same time, love who I am currently. So this is a great experience for that.
We have to talk about social media for a second. Juliana, you sent Bachelor Nation into a frenzy when you posted TikToks with Jenn Tran’s ex, Matt Rossi. What’s the history there? Should we be giving this man a ticket to Paradise since he has so many franchise connections?
JULIANA: [Laughs] Oh, he would crush it on Paradise. Honestly, I grew up with Matt Rossi. Our families know each other. We’re just two big Italian families in Newton. And I have nothing but love for him. I think the coolest part is even though we were really close after school and all of that, it’s this connection where he’s sat in my shoes and had to watch the world criticize him. And he has been such an amazing support for me, in addition to all of my amazing family and friends and Grant and Grant’s family. So it was fun. We made a joke of it. But he should definitely go to Paradise.
Speaking of Paradise twists, we learned during the finale that there’s a big Bachelor in Paradise season coming up with Bachelor and Golden alumni alike. A few people have already been announced, but is there someone from your season of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette who you’re rooting for and hoping to see on the beach?
GRANT: I’m rooting for my guy Hakeem. He’s crazy, but he’s really loyal. And he’s got his head on right. And you know I’m rooting for Jonathan. I want him to find love. And I’m rooting for all the girls on my season. Alli Joe is somebody who — she’s a diamond in the rough.
JULIANA: Alli Jo! And Parisa.
She’ll have to bring some Chubby Bunny supplies to Paradise. Grant, we’ve seen past Bachelor alum — recently Joey and Jenn — go on to Dancing With The Stars. I remember one of your Bachelorette fun facts was that you’re an avid salsa dancer. So do you see Dancing With The Stars in your future one day?
GRANT: Yeah. If the opportunity is presented it’s something that I would definitely consider. I’d want to talk it over with Jules, and consider that. So we’ll see what happens.
JULIANA: Yeah, you got it.
Before we wrap, I know we don’t have a Bachelorette announced yet, but what advice do you have for a future franchise lead?
GRANT: The advice that I have is to always go with your heart and be yourself. And give yourself grace, because you’re in a situation that’s abnormal and people are going to be critiquing your every move. So yeah, give yourself grace and just stand by who you are. And that’s something I learned from Jules. Lean on the people who care about you and love you for opinions, not the outside world.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
The Bachelor Season 29 is now streaming on Hulu.
