'The Bachelor' star Matt Grant cuts Amanda Rantuccio, selects Final 2

Amanda Rantuccio and Matt Grant had a connection the moment the competition started when he presented his first-impression rose to her.


However Matt felt that connection never got any stronger, and while Amanda disagreed, it didn't matter as the 27-year-old account executive Orlando, FL failed to receive a rose from The Bachelor: London Calling star during last night's penultimate broadcast of the ABC reality dating series' twelfth installment.

"I just really feel like we really had this connection from the beginning," opined Amanda through tears after her ouster.  "To see that and feel that... That's what makes this hard.  Whatever.  I didn't open up.  I get that.  I was guarded.  But when I did open up, it was real.  I really thought I was falling for him.  I really thought we were going to get married."

The Bachelor: London Calling's seventh episode began with Matt leaving for Barbados, where he'd have an overnight date with each of the three remaining bachelorettes.

"What's different about these last dates is that they're overnight dates," he explained.  "They're longer, more intimate and I'm going to try who I can obviously see as a lifelong partner."


Matt's first date in Barbados was with Shayne Lamas, a 22-year-old actress from Malibu, CA.  He explained "all the concerns" he had about Shayne -- including being skeptical of her since she's an actress -- "don't exist anymore." 

He added they've always had a "great connection" and figured it would "only get better" in Barbados.  Shayne said she "never imagined" she'd feel this way for Matt and added she's "100% sure" she's "falling in love" with him.

"That's one thing I want to make clear tonight," she said.

The two went jet skiing, played on a trampoline and made out in the water.  While they were enjoying themselves, Matt was also interested in meeting "serious Shayne" before the overnight date was over.  Before dinner, Shayne expressed a desire to not have any lingering regrets so she planned to tell Matt all of her feelings for him.

Taking a warning from Shayne's mom, Matt asked her to show him how she'd kiss an actor.  She explained it's important not to kiss with tongue, which he thought was "rubbish" but they still gave it a go and kissed.


"You had tongue!" Shayne accused Matt.

He didn't disagree and said the whole thing was just another example of Shayne's "fun side" before asking to see the "in control, independent, smart thinking woman" he knows she can also be -- and not just a "sex kitten blonde."  Shayne admitted her blonde persona is part of who she is as a person, and Matt asked her about the upcoming presidential election to see if she would give a serious answer.  Instead she joked around.

"I know a lot more than people might think that I actually know," said Shayne.  "I don't have to prove myself to anybody.  It keeps it spicy, and I think that's very important in any relationship."

Matt said a main part of their connection is that they're from "two different worlds," which he initially thought would be a "downfall" but it turned into a "positive."  Shayne then expressed a desire to know that Matt can see them together for the long haul, and he answered that he could "easily be with her."

"The moment that I actually got to know more, I was like, 'This is unbelievable.  This is real,'" she told him.  "Honestly, I'm falling in love with you."


That was music to Matt's ears and he said he was falling for her too.

"I love being with you," Matt told Shayne -- not the only bachelorette who would receive the compliment during the overnights.

Matt then presented Shayne with the Fantasy Suite Card, and she accepted. 

"I'm falling in love with Matt," said Shayne.  "I for once in my life put myself out there first to a man and I couldn't be happier.

"The only thing that marred it from being the ultimate, perfect moment in my life," said Matt, "was the fact that there's two other women and their dates are still to come up."


Matt's second overnight date was with Amanda, whom he said he's "really attracted to" and thinks has "a lot to offer."  Amanda said she was "really excited" and has been "constantly thinking" about Matt.

"I think in the past I thought I was in love, but with Matt it's like what I've been waiting for," said Amanda.  "I'm never going to meet someone like him again I feel like."

Matt and Amanda went zip-lining, which Matt said would help both conquer their fear of heights.  Once the activity was over Amanda knew it was time for her to "start opening up" to Matt and was eager at the chance to have a "real conversation" with him and "put it out there."  However she was also "nervous" about the possibility she wouldn't be offered the Fantasy Suite Card.

Amanda told Matt the major problem she has with guys is expressing her emotions and didn't want that to be the reason Matt rejects her.  Matt inquired about Amanda's previous relationships.

"I think I like you in a different way," she vaguely answered.  "I think with them I really liked them like friends."


Apparently the answer worked for Matt who appreciated Amanda opening up and said he completely understood where she was coming from before she added she's unsure what love is and how to handle it.  Matt said he gave Amanda the first-impression rose because she's a "genuine, true, warm and caring individual" that he thinks he's "falling for."

"I really feel you're the guy I could be with forever," Amanda told Matt, getting closer to opening up.  "I never really wanted to be with somebody so bad.  I just really don't want to see you not in my life."

The two kissed and Matt presented Amanda with the Fantasy Suite Card.  She accepted.

"I love being with you," Matt told Amanda before they ventured up to the Fantasy Suite, where he said he thinks they make a "great couple" and reiterated he knows how difficult it was for her to open up.

"I really do feel like we made a breakthrough," she said.  "It was time for us to see if we could reach that next level.  It's like what I've been waiting for.  It was just like the perfect night.  I definitely think I'm falling in love with Matt.  I do feel like he's the guy to spend the rest of my life with.  The only thing I'm hesitant about is getting hurt."

Matt's final overnight date was with Chelsea Wanstrath, a 24-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative from Durango, CO.  Matt said the two have had a "rollercoaster" relationship and thought they "found something" together on the recent hometown visit and he was hoping for "romance" on their overnight date since it had previously been lacking.


The two sailed on a catamaran and Matt immediately described their conversation as "awkward" since they were basically making small talk about Barbados.  Matt reiterated the two had a "massive buzz" in Durango on the hometown date but added that rapport seemed to be gone.

"Chelsea to me seemed a million miles away," explained Matt.

He further felt he was receiving "mixed signals" from Chelsea when she refused to intertwine fingers with him on the boat.

"I was thinking, 'What is with this woman?'" asked Matt to himself.  "This is the worst date."

Things wouldn't immediately get better as they went swimming with sea turtles, and Matt was hoping it would be an opportunity for Chelsea to "turn the corner" and show her romantic side since it was such a romantic setting.  Alas, Matt opined that Chelsea "wouldn't really come that close to me."

"The turtle was closer physically to me than Chelsea.  I had better eye contact with the turtle underwater -- with goggles and a mask on -- then I did with Chelsea," said Matt.  "I was gutted."


Frustrated because he knew there was something between the two, Matt was hoping Chelsea would realize she was being "distant" and lay her cards on the table at dinner -- where she'd be more relaxed.

"You know what?  If she's not feeling, that's fine," said Matt.  "Why should she feel it if she's not.  What I don't want is the act."

Since Chelsea obviously wasn't going to do it, Matt decided to lay the cards on the table and told her how he was "frustrated" and "confused" about their relationship since it was lacking romance.

"If there was a The Bachelor for the best friend, then you'd of already won it," said Matt to Chelsea, who said she understood what he was saying.

Chelsea explained she does have a "very passionate and intense" side to her and is simply "very disturbed" by the other bachelorettes being there, which in turn made her "distant."

"I genuinely don't want to be that way," she told him.  "My feelings have evolved to the point where I'm like, 'If I get hurt, how am I going to handle this?'  I care for you more than I expected."


Both expressed a desire that they didn't want to lose each other.

"I think that we could be great together," said Chelsea.  "I hope I get the chance to show you that."

"I was so pleased when I heard her sincere words and I really realized that she is into us," said Matt, who then presented Chelsea with the Fantasy Suite Card.  She accepted, and once upstairs she slipped on a black nightie to show Matt her romantic side, and he "really realized" she had that side to her.

"I love being with you so much," Chelsea told Matt.

"I love being with you too," he responded.

The two kissed.


"Everything that I need Chelsea to say -- to act on to make clear to me -- she did," said Matt.  "I had the most amazing evening with Chelsea and I can't wait to spend more time with her."

Still in Barbados, The Bachelor: London Calling's seventh Rose Ceremony commenced.

"I can't believe I have to break someone's heart who means so much to me," said Matt.  "I'm not looking forward to that one little bit."

Matt then presented roses to Shayne and Chelsea.  Before Amanda was sent home, Matt decided to walk her to the waiting limousine -- however she was visibly upset and had a hard time making direct eye contact with him.

"I'm shocked right now," Amanda told Matt.  "I'm shocked."

"I want you to know that everything I've ever said to you, I've felt," replied Matt.


"That doesn't really make sense," she answered before Matt gushed about how Amanda is "ridiculously warm and genuine" and has "virtually everything" he was looking for.

"But my heart told me I had a closer connection with the other two," he explained.

"I don't understand," said Amanda.  "I don't understand what the problem is."

Matt explained he was glad Amanda finally opened up at dinner during their overnight date, and she said her fear of being rejected was the exact reason she waited so long to do so.

"I didn't want this to happen," she said.  "I really thought I felt true love with you and you were that guy that completed everything.  I really thought you had true feelings for me."

Matt reiterated that everything he'd said to Amanda was "100% true."


"I don't believe you," she said before she let her anger get the best of her.  "Right now I think you're a complete d*****bag for doing this."

"I'm sorry you feel like I let you down," answered Matt.  "I feel so much for you -- but the true harshness of it is, I don't feel enough."

She then entered the limo sans a hug.

Next Monday at 10PM ET/PT, ABC will air a The Bachelor: The Women Tell All special. 

The Bachelor: London Calling's finale broadcast, which will follow Shayne and Chelsea as they accompany Matt to London before he presents his final rose to one of them, will then air on Monday, May 12 at 10PM ET/PT on ABC.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio