I've Changed My Mind, I Think Bachelor Producers Should Have Chosen Jonathon Johnson As Lead (Grant Is Really Struggling In The Role)

The Bachelor season 29 producers chose Grant Ellis for their leading man, but he's been struggling with the role, and I think that it's becoming more and more apparent that they should've chosen his fellow Bachelorette season 21 contestant Jonathon Johnson as the show's star instead. Grant, a now-31-year-old day trader who's originally from Newark, New Jersey, but now lives in Houston, Texas, was announced as the next Bachelor immediately after his elimination from Jenn Tran's season.

Although I was happy to see Grant revealed as the star of The Bachelor season 29 because he was one of my favorites, I was surprised that the show had passed over Jonathon, a now-28-year-old creative director who lives in Los Angeles, California. Due to spoilers, I knew at the time of Grant's announcement that Jonathon was going to make it only as far as Jenn's Final 3, so I wondered why the producers didn't choose him, but I was pleased with Grant. Now I've changed my mind because I feel that they made a mistake.

What Did Jonathon Johnson Say About Grant Ellis Being Chosen As The Bachelor Season 29 Lead Instead Of Him?

Jonathon Claims That The Bachelor Producers Never Asked Him To Take The Lead

On the Lightweights podcast, host Joe Vulpis asked Jonathon if the opportunity of being the star of The Bachelor was ever mentioned by the producers. He replied, "No. Not a mention, not an ask, not a 'Hey, we'd love to just like sit you down for a conversation.' Not once." When asked if he knew why Grant was chosen, Jonathon laughed and said, "I have no idea. But I always make the joke it's 'cause he's over 6 foot, and I'm 5'11."" They then joked about how Jonathon refers to himself as a "medium king" because of his height.

However, I was happy to hear that Jonathon doesn't have any ill will towards Grant, and they've remained friends after The Bachelorette. He revealed that he's talked to him, but not about the season. Jonathon explained that they keep everything under wraps the best that they can, so, out of respect for him, he doesn't ask about it. Jonathon shared that he knows that Grant is doing well, and he seems "good" and "happy," but he doesn't know if he's with someone.

Grant Ellis Is Struggling As The Bachelor

Jonathon Might've Done A Better Job

I was very excited to see Grant as The Bachelor, but I've been disappointed in him since the season began because he's been struggling so much. While his premiere episode went very well, the drama among the women escalated during episode 2, and I feel that it was mostly his fault. I couldn't believe it when he left the group date with Zoe McGrady for an extended period of time, and I was floored when he made out with Carolina Sofia in front of all of the women on another group date.

During The Bachelor season 29 episode 3, Grant made another misstep when he became angry with Rose because he believed that she'd accused him of saying something that she didn't say. Rose had told Carolina that Grant told her that he was thinking about Rose the whole time that he was dancing with Carolina during the episode 2 group date, which Carolina confronted Grant about.

Grant vehemently denied saying it, even though, in the previous episode, he was shown telling Rose, "the whole dancing thing on stage and everything, I was thinking about you. I don’t want you to feel like I’m not paying attention because I am." While Rose might've misinterpreted what Grant said, and I feel that there was really no need for her to tell Carolina about their private conversation, I saw this as another sign that Grant's struggling as the Bachelor because he can't even remember what he said to each woman.

In addition, Grant gave Rose a rose at the ceremony, which shocked me because I couldn't understand why he'd keep her around if he really thought that she was the cause of the drama by lying about him and, as he said, making him look like a player. It just seems to me that Grant is making a lot of mistakes.

During Jenn's season, Jonathon seemed much more intentional with his words than Grant. While Grant told people that he was falling for Jenn, Jonathon held back until he was sure. While some people might see this as a red flag, I saw it as a sign of maturity that he wasn't going to fall in love with Jenn just because she was the Bachelorette. While even Jonathon looked back with some regret about moving too slowly, I think that, in the real world, he would've made a perfect partner. Therefore, I also think that he would've made a better Bachelor.

Jonathon Johnson Was Asked To Join Bachelor In Paradise Season 10

Jonathon Would've Been Better Suited For The Bachelor

During Jenn's "Men Tell All" episode, host Jesse Palmer offered Jonathon the first invitation to Bachelor in Paradise season 10, which he happily accepted. While I can't wait to watch him continue his journey to find love, and I'm thrilled that he has this opportunity, I can't help but feel disappointed that this means that he might never be the Bachelor, which I think is a role that he's better suited for. Jonathon is a leading man, and he deserves to have a whole Bachelor season all to himself.

I'm sad to say that, after watching Grant's first three Bachelor episodes, I think that the producers should've chosen Jonathon as the lead instead. Grant would've had a fun time exploring his options in Paradise, without the pressure of an elaborate engagement looming over him. While some Bachelor in Paradise contestants do leave engaged, I feel that there's less of an expectation to propose there than on The Bachelor. The engagement pressure clearly throws Grant for a loop because the Bachelor previews show him having a hard time making a decision between his final two women.

On the other hand, I think that Jonathon would've been a more decisive Bachelor, and would've handled getting engaged much better. I hope that Jonathon finds love during Bachelor in Paradise season 10, but, if he doesn't, the producers should make him the star of The Bachelor season 30. Jonathon has proven that he's there for the right reasons, and I think that he deserves another chance.