Grant Ellis is just weeks away from the premiere of his season of “The Bachelor.”
Ellis, a 31-year-old day trader and former professional basketball player, was named the next lead of the long-running reality dating show in August. He is making history as the second-ever Black male lead after former “Bachelor” Matt James handed out roses in Season 25.
Bachelor Nation first fell in love with Ellis when he appeared on Jenn Tran’s season of “The Bachelorette” last summer. He opened up to Tran about repairing his relationship with his father and the two bonded while speaking about their families. But she broke up with him before he could make it to “Hometowns” week. He wasn’t heartbroken for too long, though, as he was announced as the Season 29 lead the night of his elimination.
The show has already released a trailer for the upcoming season — which premieres Monday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC — and it looks like the ladies will fall for him the moment they step out of the limo.
“Tall, handsome, smart. Hottest bachelor ever,” one contestant gushes.
Another describes him as “authentic” and serious about finding a lifelong partner. Of course, there will also be plenty of tears and drama during Ellis’ journey to find love. So who is hoping to receive his final rose? Get to know the cast of 25 ladies below.
Alexe
Age: 27
Job: Pediatric speech therapist
Hometown: New Brunswick, Canada
Alexe is a big animal lover after growing up on a farm. She is also fluent in French and loves to watch cooking competition shows.
Alli Jo
Age: 30
Job: Boxing trainer
Hometown: Manalapan, New Jersey
As a trainer, Alli Jo loves to stay active. She likes the beach, spends her free time planning trips and wishes to visit Dubai one day to go shopping.
Allyshia
Age: 29
Job: Interior designer
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
“The Bachelor” franchise is continuing its recent trend of casting former pageant queens with the addition of Allyshia, who was Miss California 2020. Allyshia enjoys a day at the beach, horses and dogs and all things romance.
Bailey
Age: 27
Job: Social media manager
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Bailey is the proud owner of a toy poodle named Easa. She is hoping to find a guy who is funny, thoughtful and family-oriented, so let’s see if Grant is her perfect match.
Beverly
Age: 30
Job: Insurance salesperson
Hometown: Howard Beach, New York
Beverly’s parents have been married for 30-plus years and she is hoping their love story will inspire her own. She is also a big fan of romantic movies like “Titanic” and “The Princess Diaries.”
Carolina
Age: 28
Job: Public relations producer
Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Carolina can speak three languages: English, Spanish and French. Her childhood crush was Joe Jonas and she hopes that one day Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser will roast her.
Chloie
Age: 27
Job: Model
Hometown: New York, New York
Chloie grew up in the Midwest but relocated to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion model. She loves watching movies like “You’ve Got Mail” and “When Harry Met Sally” and sipping on a dirty martini.
Christina
Age: 26
Job: Marketing director
Hometown: Fargo, North Dakota
Christina is a daredevil who would be willing to jump out of an airplane, so a bungee jump date — a “Bachelor” franchise staple — might be in her future if she sticks around long enough. When she is in the mood for something less intense, she can be found spending time with her friends at the lake or planning a wine night.
Dina
Age: 31
Job: Attorney
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Dina is one of 11 siblings and is hoping to find a man who is family-oriented, as well. Dina describes herself as “mysterious.”
Ella
Age: 25
Job: Luxury travel host
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Ella is from a Filipino family and hopes to teach her future partner about her culture. She also loves to invite family and friends over to eat and watch basketball, one of Grant’s favorite sports.
J’Nae
Age: 28
Job: Account coordinator
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
J’Nae and Grant already have something in common: they both played professional basketball overseas. Aside from shooting hoops on the court, J’Nae also likes to dance and take pictures.
Juliana
Age: 28
Job: Client service associate
Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts
Juliana was raised in a big Italian family and is looking for a love similar to the connection her parents, who were high school sweethearts, still share. She likes listening to Frank Sinatra and dreams of opening a dog-friendly bar.
Kelsey
Age: 26
Job: Interior designer
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Kelsey has visited almost every continent and spends her free time trying new restaurants and vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard during the summers. She wishes to meet Kris Jenner so that the matriarch can teach her about “empire building.”
Kyleigh
Age: 26
Job: Retail manager
Hometown: Wilmington, North Carolina
Kyleigh owns a mini Goldendoodle named Bella and once lived in Uganda for four months. She likes to line dance, surf, play pickleball and watch her favorite movie, “Pearl Harbor.”
Litia
Age: 31
Job: Venture capitalist
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Litia’s three dream qualities in a partner are honesty, vulnerability and someone who is family-oriented. Like Grant, she is a fan of basketball and also likes to watch football and water polo, ride horses and play board games.
Natalie
Age: 25
Job: Ph.D. student
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Natalie’s parents have been married for over 30 years and she admires their partnership. Besides studying, she spends her spare time playing with her dog, Tuck, watching rom-coms and cheering for her football team, the Seattle Seahawks.
Neicey
Age: 32
Job: Pediatrician
Hometown: Blythewood, South Carolina
Neicey splits her time and knowledge between four different hospitals. When she isn’t working, she likes to try different coffees, visit farmers markets and go to football games.
Parisa
Age: 29
Job: A pediatric behavior analyst
Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan
Parisa enjoys cooking, traveling and nights spent indulging in charcuterie boards. She also has a rock collection and can spend hours scrolling on TikTok.
Radhika
Age: 28
Job: Attorney
Hometown: New York, New York
Radhika stems from a close-knit Indian family and wants to share her family traditions with her future partner. She likes to cook with her mom, go shopping and host dance parties.
Rebekah
Age: 31
Job: ICU nurse
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Rebekah likes to travel and would like to visit different places around the world with her future partner. She also enjoys animals and playing Scrabble.
Rose
Age: 27
Job: Registered nurse
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Rose spends her days going to the beach, exploring new places and enjoying nights out on the town despite being a self-described “terrible dancer.” She is a big fan of Julie Andrews and Formula 1 racing.
Sarafiena
Age: 29
Job: Associate media director
Hometown: New York, New York
Sarafiena is ready to find a partner to settle down with and start a family. But for now, she enjoys spontaneity and books trips on a whim when she isn’t dancing or watching “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Savannah
Age: 27
Job: Wedding planner
Hometown: Charlottesville, Virginia
Savannah is ready to turn the plot of “The Wedding Planner” into a reality and head down the aisle. She wants to find a man who is loyal, caring and talkative.
Vicky
Age: 28
Job: Nightclub server
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Vicky used to work as an NFL cheerleader and still enjoys watching football. She dreams of living on a vineyard in Italy and likes to spend time with her Chihuahua, Winnie.
Zoe
Age: 27
Job: Tech engineer and model
Hometown: New York, New York
Zoe was the first female wrestler to compete on her high school team before attending Duke University and graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. During her free time, she likes to go boating, surf, ice skate and eat tacos.