Who is Grant Ellis from The Bachelor season 29? Instagram, career and more details explored

On August 12, ABC announced that Grant Ellis, a 30-year-old day trader from Houston, will be the lead for The Bachelor season 29. This news has gained significant interest as Grant is the second Black bachelor in the franchise's history after Matt James from season 25 (2021).

The Bachelor franchise, which debuted in 2002, consistently draws in millions of viewers. Each season follows a single man as he dates a group of women, gradually narrowing down his choices in the hopes of finding true love. Grant will be the said bachelor.

He appeared in the current season (21) of The Bachelorette and was recently eliminated in episode 6. Ellis was one of the contestants on the show vying for the attention of the leading star, Jenn Tran.

As per the press release by ABC on August 12:

"Grant Ellis is ready to look for love again, but this time he will be handing out the roses! The self-proclaimed mama’s boy and his unwavering positivity instantly brightens every room he enters. He hopes to find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures."

At 6'5", Grant Ellis used to live in the Dominican Republic where he plied his trade as a pro basketball player, earning second-team all-conference honors at Albertus Magnus. He has also amassed over 13,100 followers on his Instagram (@grantellis__).

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Grant Ellis' journey from The Bachelorette to The Bachelor

As previously mentioned, Grant Ellis was part of The Bachelorette season 21. He managed to establish a good connection with Jenn Tran, who herself appeared in season 28 of The Bachelor. In the first four episodes, the hopeful couple went on several group dates and cocktail parties with other contestants.

Grant also opened up emotionally with Jenn as he revealed some intimate details about his life. In the August 5 episode, Grant Ellis shared the impact of his father’s substance abuse that affected not only him but his whole family. This resonated with Jenn as she grew up without a father figure in her life.

Grant went on to share his feelings about his failed career as a pro basketball player. He quit his dreams because of a life-altering injury and had to switch his career.

After their date, Ellis told the other contestants on the show that he had developed feelings for Jenn and possibly fallen in love with her. The following week, Jenn sent Grant packing along with Spencer Conley as he was not allowed to go to hometowns, where Jenn would go and meet the families of the remaining contestants.

Sharing his feelings in a confessional, Grant described his time on the sets of The Bachelorette as life-changing but was disappointed with Jenn's decision to eliminate him.

“I feel empty right now. Jenn’s a great woman. She’s a great woman. I expressed my love for her. I poured everything out and it wasn’t good enough. It just sucks knowing that you feel some way about somebody, and they don’t feel the same about you. I want to give everything to somebody, and I want them to give everything to me in return.”

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The upcoming season of The Bachelor is set to premiere in early 2025 and as per the schedule of previous seasons, it would likely run from January to March.

Before Grant Ellis, Matt James was the only Black Bachelor back in 2021 who ended up with Rachael Kirkconnell on the show and is still with her. Joan Vassos has already been cast in another spinoff of the show, The Golden Bachelorette, slated to be released on September 18.

Fans of The Bachelorette can catch new episodes on Mondays at 8 pm PT/ET on ABC and Hulu.