As Far As I'm Concerned, Grant Ellis Was Wrong To Eliminate Zoe McGrady After Fantasy Suites On The Bachelor Season 29 (I Don't Trust His Judgment As A Lead Anymore As March 24 Finale Nears)

The Bachelor finale is fast approaching, and this week, Grant Ellis sent home Zoe McGrady, and I think he was wrong to eliminate her. The competition intensified last week when Zoe, Juliana Pasquarosa, and Litia Garr advanced to the fantasy suites as the final three. Viewers were stunned when top contender Dina Lupancu was eliminated while Zoe moved forward. However, Grant seemed uncertain about letting Zoe go and clearly wanted more time to get to know her.

This week, contestants had the chance to bond with Grant, and received advice from former contestants. However, Zoe and Grant barely had any time together, making his decision to eliminate her a bit predictable, but unfortunate. Instead, he chose Juliana and Litia as his final two. Given Grant's history of sketchy decisions this season, sending Zoe home feels like yet another mistake, and I don't trust Grant's judgment anymore.

Zoe Didn't Deserve To Be Eliminated

Zoe's Connection With Grant Had Potential

I watched Zoe capture Grant's attention with a grand entrance, shooting a T-shirt featuring both their faces from a T-shirt cannon. Her lighthearted and playful nature stood out, offering a refreshing contrast to the contestants. In addition, Zoe's adventurous spirit and honesty complimented Grant so well that she could have made it to the end. Grant clearly saw something in Zoe, and they should have had more time to connect. Even during The Bachelor: Women Tell All, he defended his decision to keep her in the running despite their limited time together.

If Grant's reason for eliminating Zoe was simply that they weren't ready to get married, then outside the show's structure, I believe their relationship might have had real potential. This led many to question Zoe's dig at production, possibly interfering with their time together by setting them up on a silent yoga date. She even fueled speculation by reposting a fan's Instagram story (@zoe.mcgrady), which read, "The Bachelor Producers: I know the perfect date for the girl who has the least screen time and time with Grant... NO TALKING."

For her caption, Zoe wrote, "Was I silent or was I silenced!!"

Zoe Isn't Really A Villain

She Is Simply Misunderstood

At the start, Zoe made a bold move by trading her chance to shoot a basket during a group date to instead shoot her shot with Grant. She stole him away for a private rooftop conversation, using every opportunity to secure more time with him. She also frequently "borrowed" Grant from other contestants during private talks, which created a lot of drama with the ladies. They openly voiced their frustration, but since it never became personal, labeling her as a villain feels extreme. I noticed Zoe wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted, regardless of who she upset in the process.

Unlike Zoe, The Bachelor's Sarafiena Watkins became so frustrated that she made a comment about Zoe's dress, causing her to burst into tears. However, Sarafiena later apologized and even defended Zoe, calling her "a very misunderstood person." While I see that Zoe's approach may have seemed selfish, The Bachelor is about winning a man's heart, taking every opportunity and I know is sometimes necessary. Though not the most ideal or friendly approach, it's a strategy many contestants have used before.

Grant Is Too Hesitant As A Lead

He Keeps Playing It Safe

Instead, I've seen him play it so safe that the season has become predictable. The only real surprise was when he chose Zoe, despite barely spending any time with her. He even told her that he saw something special in her and defended his choices during The Bachelor: Women Tell All, only to send her home two weeks later.

As far as I'm concerned, Grant's decisions have been questionable, especially when he eliminated Alexe Godin, despite spending the most time with her and sharing a genuine—though not deeply emotional—connection. Meanwhile, in the most recent episode, The Bachelor's Grant told top contender Litia that he loved her. However, he later admitted he said it prematurely to the camera. This has left me questioning whether he's just playing it safe, trying to avoid hurting the women, or if he's even ready for marriage at all. Like Alexe, Zoe had an honest and open chemistry with Grant—they just needed more time.

The Bachelor airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.