While there was never a conversation about Jonathon Johnson potentially becoming the next Bachelor, he is happy for his good pal Grant Ellis.
“No, not a mention, not an ask, not a, ‘Hey, we’d love to sit you down for a conversation?’” Jonathon, 28, claimed on the Saturday, January 25, episode of the “Lightweights” podcast, referring to a perspective offer to lead the franchise. “Not once.”
Instead of Jonathon, the next Bachelor is Grant, whom Jonathon met on Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette last year. Grant’s journey to finding “The One” kicks off on Monday, January 28.
“I have no idea [why he was chosen] but I always make the joke it’s ‘cause he’s over 6 foot and I’m 5’11,” Jonathon teased.
New Bachelor Grant Wears His Emotions on His Sleeve
Jonathon has also been in touch with Grant, 31, since filming wrapped.
“I’ve talked to him, but not about the season,” Jonathon revealed on the podcast. “I mean, we all keep that under wraps the best that we can. So, out of respect for him, I just don’t ask when I see him.”
He continued, “I know that he’s doing well. I don’t know how it played out [and] I don’t know if he’s with somebody. I don’t know where they went, like, all I know is that he seems good. He seems happy.”
Both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette frequently culminate in an engagement after the lead narrows the contestants down to one. The task was apparently difficult for Grant, according to show host Jesse Palmer.
Jonathon has also been in touch with Grant, 31, since filming wrapped.
“I’ve talked to him, but not about the season,” Jonathon revealed on the podcast. “I mean, we all keep that under wraps the best that we can. So, out of respect for him, I just don’t ask when I see him.”
He continued, “I know that he’s doing well. I don’t know how it played out [and] I don’t know if he’s with somebody. I don’t know where they went, like, all I know is that he seems good. He seems happy.”
Both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette frequently culminate in an engagement after the lead narrows the contestants down to one. The task was apparently difficult for Grant, according to show host Jesse Palmer.
What to Know About Grant Ellis’ Season 29 of ‘The Bachelor’
“I was surprised. That was something that I haven’t encountered yet as the host in the last four years on any of the franchises,” Jesse, 46, exclusively told Us Weekly earlier this month. “Normally, I think, our leads have a little bit more clarity — a lot more clarity — heading into the final day. And I really think that’s how conflicted Grant really was.”
According to Jesse, Grant was so conflicted based on the caliber of his “incredible” group of women.
“They’re phenomenal every year for whoever our lead is [and] making that decision on the final day is always a very, very difficult decision, but I can appreciate some of why Grant was so conflicted. I’ll just say that,” Jesse explained. “But absolutely without giving away too much, that was authentic and it’s real and it’s not an edit.”
Jesse further hinted that Grant seemed “very, very happy with how things ended” on his season.
“I know he’s really excited for everybody to watch this whole thing unfold. Grant’s a very easy guy to root for,” Jesse told Us. “I’m a fan of his and I know he’s a guy that’s been so successful in everything he’s done in his life outside of love [so far]. With Zach [Shallcross] and Joey [Graziadei], we’re kind of running this streak a little bit and I think we have a chance to keep this thing going, fingers crossed.”
Zach, 28, and Joey, 29, were the most recent Bachelors and are still engaged to their respective final rose picks: Kaity Biggar and Kelsey Anderson.
The Bachelor season 29 premieres on ABC Monday, January 27 at 8 p.m. ET.
