The Bachelor star Grant Ellis has explained why he thinks he wasn't the right guy for The Bachelorette star Jenn Tran.

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Jenn was shown eliminating Grant on The Bachelorette's 21st season during the show's August 12 episode, and Grant seemed pretty crushed to be denied a rose right before hometown dates.

Grant was admittedly "falling" in love with Jenn, but he wasn't even chosen as one of The Bachelorette star's Final 4 bachelors.

Former The Bachelor star Nick Viall therefore asked Grant what went wrong with Jenn during the August 15 episode of "The Viall Files" podcast.

"You don't really see anybody else's connection [with Jenn] when you're going on dates and talking to Jenn, but looking at it back [on TV], I definitely saw that she had some stronger connections with some of the guys," Grant explained.

"I thought I was going to make it to hometowns, so I was surprised when I didn't. But it's just all about perspective and what she wants. And ultimately, she chose to go a different way."

Grant insisted he's "super happy" for Jenn and how her journey played out.

"But yeah, she was looking for something different than what I could offer," Grant noted.

"I wasn't her cup of tea, ultimately, and that's okay!" added the 30-year-old day trader and former professional basketball player from Houston, TX.

Hours after Jenn was shown breaking Grant's heart on The Bachelorette, ABC announced Grant will be handing out roses of his own when he stars on The Bachelor for Season 29 airing in early 2025.

Grant said he discovered while filming The Bachelorette that the process really works.

"This is so crazy, and I'm going to sound so crazy saying this, but I learned that you can fall in love after one date," Grant revealed.

"And so going into my own journey, you don't think you can develop feelings after spending so little time with somebody, but I'm taking that forward and I'm going to protect my heart and protect these women's hearts because it's definitely plausible to fall in love and to develop those feelings in this environment."

Since Grant got out of a long-term, seven-year relationship a little over a year prior to his The Bachelorette stint, he joked about how he doesn't have much experience dating more than one woman at once.

Grant's mother apparently signed him up for The Bachelorette, and Grant insisted he's sincere about wanting to find true love on The Bachelor.

The Bachelor producers apparently called Grant a few weeks ago to see if he'd be interested in starring on The Bachelor, and Grant said he didn't hesitate to accept the position.

"I was still recovering from [The Bachelorette] season and what happened with Jenn, and they called me. I was super interested and I was excited for it. So that's how I found out," Grant told Nick.

Grant confessed that he "didn't really expect" producers to call him and offer him The Bachelor gig.

"I know a lot of people say that, but I'm taking it head on. I'm going in here with an open heart and an open mind, and I'm excited!" Grant shared.

Before appearing on Jenn's The Bachelorette season, Grant said he watched a few The Bachelor seasons: Season 21 starring Nick, Season 26 starring Clayton Echard, and Season 28 starring Joey Graziadei.

"I [watched] on Amazon [long after they aired]," Grant confessed.

"I was just learning, but now I'm a fan and I'm telling you, I'll be watching all the seasons to come. It's definitely something that I'm a part of now, and I'll be embracing it with open arms."

Grant predicted that starring on The Bachelor will make him "a better person" in life.

"I am confident that my person will be there. Whichever way it goes... the ultimate goal is to come out with my wife, and to come out of the experience having learned new things about myself and with the woman I'm going to ultimately be with," he concluded.

When Grant was announced as The Bachelor star, he shared on Good Morning America that he hopes to find a love that is "kind and understanding."

In terms of the specific qualities he'd like to find in a partner, Grant said, "I'm looking for... somebody who is adventurous, somebody who is affectionate, and somebody who is loving."

ABC also revealed that Grant wants a woman who values loyalty and has a good sense of humor. His ideal partner will additionally have a deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures.

Since the early announcement of Grant's The Bachelor casting surprised many fans, ABC executive Rob Mills took to social media on August 12 to explain producers' decision.

"We are announcing Grant so quickly so people can still apply to be on his season," Rob wrote via X, which was formerly called Twitter.

"If you think Grant is potentially the man of your dreams or you know someone who is apply ASAP!!!"

Grant will be the second Black Bachelor of the franchise, following in Season 25 star Matt James' footsteps.

When Jenn ousted Grant on The Bachelorette during her week in Seattle, WA, Grant admitted that he felt "empty" inside.

"Jenn is a great woman and I expressed my love for her. I poured everything out and it wasn't good enough," Grant lamented in his final words, fighting back tears.

"It just sucks knowing that you feel some way about somebody, and they don't feel the same about you. I want a family, you know? I want to be happy. I want a wife. I want to be in love."

Grant elaborated, "I want to give everything to somebody, and I want them to give everything to me in return. I don't know what else to say. I did not think that was going to happen tonight."

Grant is an adventurous self-proclaimed "mama's boy," who "brightens every room he enters" and has an "infectious smile and unwavering positivity," according to ABC.

The former pro basketball player enjoys working in finance, cheering on the Lakers in the NBA, hitting strikes at the bowling alley, and singing karaoke at night.

The Bachelor's 29th season is expected to begin filming this fall and premiere in January 2025.

The premiere date and cast of bachelorettes for Grant's The Bachelor season will be announced at a later date.

About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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