Rose Sombke Should Be The Next Bachelorette (Don't Count Her Out After Her Short Run On The Show)

On the fourth episode of Grant Ellis's season of The Bachelor, registered nurse Rose Sombke shocked viewers when she self-eliminated. Rose was the first of this season's contestants to meet Grant, and despite a burgeoning connection with the lead, Rose decided the drama between her and fellow Bachelor cast member The Bachelor's Carolina Sofia Quixano, a public relations producer, was too much. Rose left before the rose ceremony.

Despite her short time on the flagship show, I believe The Bachelor's Rose Sombke is the right choice to be the next lead of The Bachelorette. While she may have been embroiled in drama with other cast members (and with Grant himself), Rose showed many qualities that make her a perfect lead. The next season of The Bachelorette likely won't air until 2026, but Rose should definitely remain in the running.

Rose's Self-Elimination Proves She Was There For The Right Reasons

She Wasn't On The Show For Screen Time

The drama between Rose and Carolina began in episode three, when Rose told Carolina off-camera that Grant had been thinking about Rose while dancing with Carolina during a recent group date. Rose believed this conversation was had in confidence, but Carolina, upset by the information, told Grant and asked for clarity. Grant was, understandably, angered by this information and confronted Rose, who explained she believed that was something she heard him say. Grant vehemently denied ever saying that.

“I’m not going to sit here and lie. You’re somebody that I do think about. I just want to make sure that you know that because I’m very interested in you. Like even today, right? The whole dancing thing onstage and everything, I was thinking about you. I don’t want you to feel like I’m not paying attention, because I am.”

While it's unlikely Grant meant those words the way Rose interpreted them, they were ambiguous, and it's not hard to see how Rose misunderstood Grant's sentiment. Grant did not eliminate Rose that week, and she traveled with the rest of the cast to Madrid. If Rose had come on The Bachelor for clout or attention, she wouldn't have cut her time short. She could have fought to stay on the show another week, guaranteeing herself at least a few more confessionals and possibly even a one-on-one date.

Instead, Rose showed us where her priorities were. Seeing that her and Grant's connection wasn't as strong as his connection with some of the other contestants, Rose decided her time was best spent elsewhere. Plus, her drama with Carolina didn't end after the confrontation in week three. During the cocktail party in episode four, Rose confronted Carolina about her actions, explaining that she felt Carolina backstabbed her and that Rose herself would never have aired information like that.

In a confessional, Rose said that her drama with Carolina "invalidated so much about [her] relationship that was so good."

After saying goodbye to Grant, Rose left the show and went home. When Rose wasn't confident in her connection, she removed herself from the situation. Plus, she didn't want to get involved in drama, a trait that would serve her well as the Bachelorette.

Rose Packed A Punch During Her Four Weeks On The Bachelor

The Franchise Has Cast Lesser Known Leads Before

If Rose were to be cast as the next lead of The Bachelorette, she would become the first Bachelorette to leave The Bachelor before making it to seventh place. However, her short-lived run on the show shouldn't disqualify her. The Bachelor has cast leads who never appeared on The Bachelorette, including, most recently, The Bachelor icon Matt James on season 25. Clearly, the audience is willing to watch leads they may be less familiar with.

That being said, Rose isn't unfamiliar to the Bachelor Nation audience. Her miscommunication with Grant and tension with Carolina, not to mention her shocking exit, mean that Rose absolutely made a name for herself on the flagship show. While she may not be as talked about as cast members who make it closer to The Bachelor's final proposal, Rose is definitely memorable.

Think Of The Rose Puns

Her Name Is Perfect For The Show

"Will you accept this rose" is one of the most recognizable catchphrases on TV today. With Rose as the Bachelorette, the jokes basically write themselves. During Grant's season of The Bachelor, Rose was the first contestant to meet the former basketball player, and she used her time with the lead to ask, "Will you accept this rose?" That joke could easily play through Rose's whole season if she were to become the lead.

Roses are well-known symbols of love. As such, they appear in many recognizable sayings that could be played with throughout a season of the ABC dating show. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," "stop and smell the roses," and "every rose has its thorn" are just a few of the adages that could inspire dates or make for fun catchphrases on a Rose season of The Bachelorette.