The Bachelor season 28's Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson are happily engaged, but I'm worried that the odds are stacked against them as they move forward with their relationship. Joey, who's now 29 years old, and Kelsey, who's now 26, had an undeniable connection throughout their season. From their two incredible one-on-one dates to their meaningful hometown date to their magical overnight Fantasy Suite date, it was clear that they belonged together.
The magic between Joey and Kelsey was so obvious that runner-up Daisy Kent self-eliminated before the final rose ceremony because she knew that Joey would pick Kelsey. Throughout The Bachelor season 28, Joey only said, "I love you" to Kelsey, which made their engagement very special. After the show, Joey and Kelsey have been inseparable, already living together and traveling the world. However, as much as I'm rooting for them and think they make a perfect couple, I have concerns that they might not last because of some recent developments.
Joey & Kelsey Seem To Be Having Financial Difficulties
They Live With Two Roommates
In a June 2024 episode of Bachelorette alum Jason Tartick'sTrading Secrets podcast, shared via YouTube, Joey revealed that he'd missed a credit card payment while filming The Bachelor season 28. He said that he'd made an online purchase of $100, but he forgot to pay it off for two and a half months. Joey was shocked when his credit score dropped 80 points from 730. Joey admitted, "I can’t even get into an apartment building." He now has four credit cards and is spending as much money as possible to raise his credit score.
Kelsey also admitted that she recently quit her job, but for now she's relying on Joey for financial support. She said, "Joey’s my security blanket."Kelsey and Joey also seem to be on the path to becoming influencers, as evidenced by Joey's June 2024 Instagram post in which they advertised Amazon Prime Day. This could eventually put a strain on their relationship because they don't ever seem to have any downtime.
On top of their financial issues, Kelsey also revealed that Joey has moved into her New Orleans home, but they're living with her two female roommates. Although she's since left her job, she revealed that she was still working when they made the decision, and "he was just living with his sister." Kelsey described their living arrangement as "kinda like a New Girl situation."
Joey joked that he feels like he's "on a comedy sketch right now. I feel like I'm full-on in a New Girl situation. There's three girls and one Joey. I'm just, like, sitting there in the middle of the hallway." Even though Joey and Kelsey are making the best of their situation, I'm worried that it might eventually lead to resentment if they don't get their own space soon. Money can be a big stressor in a relationship, and I hope that it doesn't eventually lead to Joey and Kelsey's downfall.
However, Joey insists that he doesn't mind living with Kelsey and her roommates. He shared that it would've been "wrong" of him to expect Kelsey to change her entire life after she "dropped her whole life" to be a contestant on The Bachelor. Joey explained, "And I knew that regardless of what was going to happen, my life was going to have to change and go somewhere else. I love being there." Hopefully, Joey won't eventually change his mind about their living situation, and will continue to enjoy living with Kelsey and her roommates until they can find their own place.
Joey & Kelsey Haven't Spent Enough Time In 'The Real World'
They're Still Living In The Fantasy World Of The Show
Ever since The Bachelor season 28 ended, Joey and Kelsey have been inseparable. However, I'm concerned about the way that they spend their time together. They've admitted that they haven't been able to live a normal everyday life since the show ended because they've been so busy attending events and traveling. Joey and Kelsey have been keeping fans up to date about their post-show activities via Instagram. They filmed an episode of Celebrity Family Feud, attended Stagecoach, the IF movie premiere, and CMA Fest, and took trips to Hawaii and Portugal together.
In a May 2024 interview with TV Insider, Kelsey and Joey shared that they've been enjoying their post-Bachelor time together and getting to know each other better. Kelsey said, "It's been great. I feel like we’ve just been learning so much about each other. You learn all the big things first on the show, and now we’re learning all the little things, like the quirks and fun things." Joey added, "We've had a lot going on, which we love, but we're also really excited for it to slow down a little bit and get back to the most important things right now, too."
This is why I was surprised to see that Joey and Kelsey were posting on Instagram from Saint Martin in late June on yet another trip. If Joey and Kelsey never really get the chance to live an everyday life together, then their relationship might never feel real to them. I'm worried that when reality finally does set in, they might find that they were swept up in the whirlwind of the show, and their love isn't as real as they thought it was. While I hope this doesn't happen, past Bachelor couples have proven that it is a phenomenon that's difficult to overcome.
The Bachelor Track Record Is Bleak
The Odds Are Stacked Against Joey & Kelsey
Even though Joey and Kelsey seem like a solid couple, I can't ignore the fact that only one Bachelor has ever married the woman he chose in the end: Sean Lowe. Sean married Catherine Giudici in 2014 after they got engaged during The Bachelor season 17. Two other Bachelors besides Joey are still in relationships with their final choices: Matt James is dating Rachael Kirkconnell, while Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar are engaged. Out of 28 Bachelors, the failure rate is extraordinarily high.
I know that it's possible that Joey and Kelsey could beat these odds and eventually get married. However, the pressures of the show have destroyed couples in the past. In addition, sometimes when the fantasy of the show ends and reality sets in, Bachelor couples realize that they're not as compatible as they originally thought they were. I really hope that this won't be the case for Joey and Kelsey, but the possibility of success looks even bleaker when the breakups from The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and The Golden Bachelor are factored in. It's unusual for couples to last after the show.
I really want Joey and Kelsey to go the distance and get married in the future. However, there are so many obstacles in their way that I'm worried that it might not be possible. If they can avoid falling into the trap of becoming influencers, and they go back to their real lives, then maybe their relationship can survive. However, their lives are probably changed forever after appearing on The Bachelor. Joey and Kelsey must continue to put each other first and focus on their love if they want to be a successful Bachelor couple. Whatever the future holds for them, I'll be rooting for them all the way.
