I've Changed My Mind, "People Pleaser" Grant Ellis Is Ruining The Bachelor Season 29 (He's The Reason Why The Show's So Boring Now)

The Bachelor season 29’s lead Grant Ellis is a sweet guy, but I’ve changed my mind about his behavior as his people pleasing tendencies have proven he can’t make decisions, making the show boring. Grant, who began his Bachelor journey on The Bachelorette season 21 with Jenn Tran, has been a concerning lead. While Grant’s start in the franchise painted him out to be a stable partner for Jenn, it became clear that things weren’t as they seemed when his time as The Bachelor commenced. Grant’s time as the leading man has been different than other Bachelors of the past.

Throughout his time leading The Bachelor season 29, Grant has been a frustrating figure to watch. While I’ve enjoyed that he’s a kind-hearted man who clearly wants to find someone special, it’s so clear to me that Grant has a lot of unresolved issues stemming from his past that he shouldn’t be carrying into a new relationship. Grant’s behavior hasn’t been villainous, but another form of frustrating. Rather than being able to verbalize what he wants in a partner and move forward with women who suit him, Grant’s people pleasing tendencies have left him stringing women along and boring viewers.

Grant's Past Was A Major Part Of His Bachelorette Journey

He Revealed His Difficulties With His Father

Although Grant’s time on The Bachelorette didn’t last the entirety of the season, it was long enough to ensure that viewers learned a lot more about him as a person than other contestants. Sharing that he was 30 years old, Grant revealed during his time as a contestant that he’d been a professional basketball player for a time, but was currently working as a day trader. Originally from New Jersey, Grant had a difficult upbringing that pushed him into some darker places.

Grant opened up about his relationship with his father, which had been difficult from early on in his life. Changing throughout the years, Grant’s father dealt with an addiction that impacted his entire family, especially his young son. While things have turned around for Grant’s dad in recent years, allowing him to get to know his son better, Grant’s dealt with the issues that have stemmed from his father’s addiction and the consequences that have come from it over the years.

Grant's Relationships Prove He Has People Pleasing Tendencies

He’s Had A Hard Time Letting Women Go

Although Grant’s had a tough time moving ahead with ease, he’s managed to do a lot to ensure that he has a stable, happy future. While he’s been doing his best to work through his issues and build a new connection to his family, Grant’s relationship with his father has likely pushed him to have some people pleasing tendencies, which we’re seeing frequently on The Bachelor. Grant’s people pleasing has kept him struggling with the women of The Bachelor, as hurting their feelings isn’t in his nature. Instead, Grant tries to ensure that even when letting them down, they’re happy.

Grant's People Pleaser Behavior Is Keeping Him From Sharing His True Emotions

He’s Not Being Direct, Which Is Boring On Screen

Although Grant’s behavior is typical for his situation, his people pleasing hasn’t been easy to watch on The Bachelor. While Grant knows how he feels, he’s deferring to the behaviors that he thinks will cause the least pain for others. Keeping the women of his cast happy may be a kindness, but Grant’s behavior is unfailingly boring. He’s not being direct with the women he’s not interested in, which is not only stringing them along, but is keeping Grant from sharing his real emotions. The Bachelor is meant to be decisive, but Grant’s just been boring while placating his cast.

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC, then streams the following day on Hulu.