The Bachelor: Joey Graziadei & Kelsey Anderson Breakup Rumors & Relationship Backlash Explained

The Bachelor season 28’s winning couple, Joey Graziadei & Kelsey Anderson, have been together for over a year, but have seen more breakup rumors and relationship backlash than most couples from the franchise. Joey, who was first introduced on The Bachelorette season 20 where he was vying for Charity Lawson’s affection, was one of the more exciting contestants Bachelor Nation had seen in recent years. Emotionally open, vulnerable, and spontaneous in nature, Joey was a front-runner throughout Charity’s season, but was cut loose at the end and left heartbroken. He bounced back quickly, accepting the offer to become the next Bachelor.

As the lead of The Bachelor season 28, Joey was excited at the idea he may be able to find the love of his life on the show. Hopeful for genuine, meaningful connections, Joey got to know many women on the show, but his connection with Kelsey quickly became the strongest. The pair got to know each other through a series of dates, finding an ease between them that became undeniable to each other and Bachelor Nation alike. When Joey proposed to Kelsey during the finale she accepted, and they have shared their relationship with Bachelor Nation after the show.

Joey & Kelsey Were Open About Their Plans Post-Bachelor

They Revealed More Than They Needed To

Although Joey and Kelsey made it clear from their time on The Bachelor that they wanted to be upfront and open about their feelings in their relationship, their honesty tends to be a surprise for Bachelor Nation. From the start, Joey and Kelsey were upfront about their plans for the future, even if they weren’t certain about them yet. After The Bachelor finale, the couple shared their intended living arrangements, which sent some viewers into a spiral as Joey was planning to move into Kelsey’s pre-existing apartment with her roommates until they found a place of their own.

While backlash wasn’t necessary, Joey faced criticism for not having a space of his own and went on to face further vitriol nearly every time he opened up about his life or relationship. Joey shared that his credit had taken a minor hit during his time on The Bachelor, which made many speculate about his potential money problems despite his reassurance that there was nothing to worry about. Each time Joey or Kelsey tried to open up about their relationship or lives in general, a portion of the public made their honesty seem like genuine relationship issues, creating more buzz.

Joey’s Dancing With The Stars Stint Has Pushed Speculation

Viewers Struggle To See Him With His Partner

While Joey and Kelsey dealt with the standard backlash from Bachelor Nation, things got worse when it was reported Joey would be on Dancing With The Stars season 33. Though he seemed excited about the competition, many were more interested in who Joey would be partnered with. The Bachelor star requested for the show to put him with someone who was in a stable, healthy relationship, and Joey was placed with pro Jenna Johnson. Rumors still swirled about whether it was appropriate for Joey to be dancing with another woman despite Kelsey’s vocal support of her fiancé on the show.

Kelsey’s Social Media Presence Often Fans The Flames

She’s Trying To Subdue The Viewers

Although Joey and Kelsey have both been adamant that everything in their relationship is going smoothly, they’ve taken different approaches. Joey has used traditional press, like TV interviews and podcast appearances, to clear things up while Kelsey has been actively negating the rumors on social media. Though Kelsey clearly means well in trying to ensure her relationship with Joey is taken seriously, sometimes her humor doesn’t land with her audience in the way she wants it to. Kelsey shares posts that joke about the rumors, poking holes in their legitimacy often, but sometimes The Bachelor star creates even larger issues.