Fresh from his heartbreak with Jenn Tran in the last season of The Bachelorette, Grant Ellis now embarks on his own romantic journey. However, he quickly finds himself overwhelmed by the wide array of personalities, ranging from earnest to awkward, that this diverse group of women brings to the table.

The highlight of any premiere episode is undoubtedly the outrageous entrances, and these women surely did not disappoint. From a wedding cake to a genie?s lamp, a pizza, and even a literal ?no drama llama,? the contestants made every effort to create memorable moments that would leave a lasting impression on both the bachelor and the audience.

As the evening unfolded, the women did not hold back in the kissing department either, and Grant was equally enthusiastic about joining in. He was visibly captivated by their collective beauty, which was the first attribute he mentioned for each contestant, showcasing his appreciation for their looks.

However, it quickly became evident that Grant is equally attracted to women who possess a good sense of humor and a strong family connection. Extra points if they have a passion for working with or caring for children. This bachelor appears to be genuinely ready to settle down and start a family!

Initially, we had our reservations about Grant being chosen as the bachelor, but after watching this premiere, the appeal became clear. He has always been strikingly handsome and charming, yet we previously struggled to see much of his personality during his fifth-place finish in the previous season.

Glimpses of his character were revealed during this premiere as we revisited moments with his family, including his father, who has recently begun his recovery journey from addiction. The breakdown of his parents? long marriage has evidently shaped Grant into the man he is today and has influenced his aspirations for his future.

It was truly heartwarming to witness the rekindling of their relationship, showcasing his father as a symbol of recovery on national television. The stigma surrounding addiction often leads to the misconception that those affected are disposable. However, Robert’s journey proves that there is indeed life after addiction, a life that deserves a chance to flourish.

Without the guiding influence of his father during his turbulent upbringing, Grant has seemed to navigate life on his own, inspired daily by the resilience of his mother, who fought to keep the family afloat, and his older sister.

Although they didn?t fit the mold of a traditional family, Grant has made conscious choices to rise above the circumstances of his upbringing. The bond he shares with his grandmother, mother, and sister is truly heartwarming and showcases the strength of familial connections.

All these positive attributes are green flags for whichever woman is fortunate enough to accompany him on this journey of love.

This segment of the premiere has always been about crafting entertaining television just as much as it?s about making a memorable impact on the bachelor, who will soon eliminate several contestants in a matter of hours.

As always, we experienced a mix of sweet and genuine entrances, annoyingly performative ones, and those that were downright bizarre. For a moment, we weren?t sure what to make of the ?no drama llama,? but she certainly won our hearts.

We were thrilled to see Alexe bring her llama, Linda, along to meet Grant, and then to hang out for the remainder of the night. Honestly, Linda stole the show for us, and if host Jesse Palmer is not careful, she might just take over his job!

Standout Entrances

• Allyshia: ?We?re gonna rub this lamp and make a wish for our journey here. And if we?re really lucky, our wish may be Grant.? We admire the clever puns; it shows a lot about her personality and the clever use of props enhanced her entrance.
• Alexe: ?I grew up in a small town on a farm,? said Alexe. ?Why not introduce you to my no drama llama? So, her name is Linda. Wait, hold on a second. What?s that, Linda? Yeah, he?s cute.? Not only did she bring a llama, but her playful interaction with Linda showcased her confidence and charm ? and who can forget a llama?!
• Juliana: ?I brought you something Italian and I just have one question, Mr. Ellis. Would you do the honor and share this cannoli with me?? said Juliana, presenting the delicious treat. ?We?ll Lady and the Tramp it.? It wasn?t just the intimacy of her approach but also the visible chemistry between her and Grant that made this entrance memorable.
• Savannah: ?I?m a wedding planner, so I thought we?d get a jumpstart on ours,? said Savannah, carrying a wedding cake. ?Look at us on here!? While the cake was a perfect representation of her profession and aspirations, it seemed a bit unwieldy to manage. Nevertheless, it reflected her hopes for a future with Grant.
• Zoe: ?Every power couple needs some merch, and I really think that we can throw some to a few of our fans,? said Zoe, launching t-shirts with her and Grant?s faces on them into the Bachelor mansion, where the other women reacted with surprise. Extra kudos to Chloie for having the courage to put one on and enjoy the moment.

Underwhelming Entrances

• J?Nae: ?Just like you, my first love was basketball. So I?m hoping by the end of this, we can be each other?s last love.? The sentiment was sweet, but the chalk dust shower was impractical, messy, and confusing. What did that even signify?
• Alli Jo: ?Grant, will you accept this piece of my heart?? The heart-shaped pizza and jeep entrance felt lackluster and didn?t connect well with who Alli Jo is (a boxing coach), lacking uniqueness or significance.
• Radhika: ?I want you to know that every moment together will be as fun as, like, a Bollywood dance.? Honestly, we felt bad for Radhika, who seemed incredibly nervous and awkward as she danced in, which continued throughout the night.
• Bailey: ?Do you mind if we take some photos? Well, I really mean of me. I feel like my lifelong partner will know all of my angles, so give it your best shot.? Bailey finally got Grant to take a selfie with her, but her performer persona left us feeling disconnected.
• Sarafiena: ?I promise to be your biggest cheerleader, to tell you how handsome, how tall, and how funny you are,? said Sarafiena, hiding behind a giant cut-out of Grant?s head. While it was humorous, it obscured her, making the entrance more memorable than her actual presence.

Grant was not shy when it came to sharing kisses as the night progressed, and neither were the women. As they aimed to make a lasting impression, some clearly succeeded more than others.

Bailey?s attempt to connect with Grant by putting him in an itchy bob wig to match her hairstyle seemed overly performative. It also felt disconnected from Grant, suggesting that she might be missing the mark in her efforts to engage him.

Parisa?s quirky PowerPoint presentation about their future together, complete with what appeared to be AI-generated images of their wedding and her being pregnant, was equally silly. However, at least it was centered around Grant, making it more relevant than some other antics.

Allyshia captured the first kiss of the night while discussing her passion for rom-coms. She must have struck the right chord as she and Grant exchanged quotes from a Nicholas Sparks film before sharing a kiss.

After serenading Grant on the piano, it was Juliana who took the plunge for her first kiss. The chemistry between these two was palpable, and the editors seemed to appreciate it too, as Juliana received plenty of confessional moments and some candid camera shots,