The Bachelor Season 29: Grant Ellis Was Right To Send Zoe McGrady Home (They Didn’t Have Chemistry)

The Bachelor's Grant Ellis sent 27-year-old tech engineer and model Zoe McGrady home on the latest episode, and I'm shocked it didn't happen sooner. This season, Grant's been accused of being too nice to be on The Bachelor season 29, and of misleading the contestants while having no intention of choosing them in the end. Grant, 31, narrowed down his search to Zoe, 28-year-old client services associate Juliana Pasquarosa, and 31-year-old venture capitalist Litia Garr, before sending Zoe packing in the Dominican Republic. Grant claimed sending Zoe home was hard, but didn't really give her any reasons for her departure.

In my opinion, Grant's struggled to have major chemistry with anyone since he sent Carolina Sofia home. I'm convinced Carolina was the only person Grant actually felt a deep connection with, but he got scared of all of her antics with the other women and chose to eliminate her just before hometown dates. Zoe and Grant had a friendly back-and-forth, but it never went beyond that, in my opinion. I'm honestly surprised that Zoe made it as far as she did.

Grant Sent Zoe Home Before Finals

Zoe Was Third Place

Despite staying in the Fantasy Suite with Zoe (and Juliana), Grant still felt his connection with her wasn't strong enough to pick her in the end. Zoe was very guarded throughout the entire season. She stirred up a little drama by stealing Grant away from the other women at inopportune times, but it felt like Zoe was doing it to make an impression on Grant, rather than genuinely wanting to spend more time with him and explore their connection.

Zoe's competitive nature surged during her Bachelor journey. Whether it was beating the other girls at basketball, trying to ride a mechanical bull for the longest amount of time, or pulling the classic "Can I steal him for a second" move that The Bachelor is famous for, Zoe ruffled some feathers. However, she failed to show Grant she could get deep with him. She wasn't as showy as the other women, so she didn't create a spectacle. Instead, she quietly managed to make it through each week. It was only a matter of time before she had to go home.

In fact, the only time I saw a fire in Zoe's eyes was when she was competing for something. She brushed off the other women's complaints by claiming she was here to "shoot her shot," not make friends with all the ladies.

I think Zoe lacked some of the warmth that Grant wants. I'm not saying women need to be warm, but I think that's what Grant's looking for in a partner. I don't blame Zoe for being guarded, since it's tough to be vulnerable with someone who's actively dating other women. I wish Grant had declined the Fantasy Suite with Zoe, because sending her home after spending the night with her is downright cruel.

Grant And Zoe Lacked Chemistry

Zoe's Walls Were Up

Zoe definitely wasn't as warm and inviting as the other women, failing to create solid friendships while she was on the show. She came in hot, letting everyone know getting to know Grant was her priority. Grant seemed to appreciate Zoe, but as the show progressed, Zoe got less and less one-on-one time with him. She expressed her fear about not having as much time with Grant to Rachel Nance, a contestant from Joey Graziadei's season of The Bachelor, who came to the Dominican Republic to help guide Zoe as she navigated making it to the bottom three.

I think it wasn't just the lack of one-on-one time with Grant that held Zoe back; it was the lack of chemistry between the two. Zoe opened up to Grant about how her childhood, raised by adoptive white parents in the South, impacted who she is today, and Grant seemed receptive to it. But then, later on, Grant blames the stall in his relationship with Zoe on her, saying she wasn't opening up enough for him. Honestly, Zoe, this guy ain't it, and you're better off without him.

My theory is that all the other contestants were intimidated by Grant's connection with Carolina and the way the show became all about her. A lot of them backed off of Grant, since he clearly favored Carolina, and Zoe, who was already so guarded, got even more closed off towards Grant. By the time he sent Carolina home, Zoe struggled to make up for lost time, and it was too little, too late in the end.

There’s Only One For Grant

Juliana And Litia Remain

Now that Grant's down to his final two, Juliana and Litia, he doesn't have any distractions. I agree with critics that Grant has struggled this season. He was careful to preserve his "good guy" image, so he failed to take a definitive stance on the women, which led some to feel misled after he eliminated them. To be honest, I don't think he has electric chemistry with any of the remaining finalists. While he spent the night in the show's famed Fantasy Suite with Juliana, I don't think he'll stay with her over Litia, who declined the Fantasy Suite.

If I had to make a choice right now, I'd guess Grant is going to choose Litia to be his fiancée, just because he's seen a tender side of her. I think Grant knows Litia would make a good wife and mother, and he said he wanted to find that type of partner. Now, I don't think they'll end up actually getting married, but I do think Litia will win.

I think Grant might spin the block on Carolina eventually, which would be very entertaining. Grant and Carolina had the most chemistry this entire season. It popped off the screen. Grant had to send her home, but I think he regrets it.

Zoe managed to slip by each week, but she knew that she had the weakest connection with Grant. She openly expressed it to the other women, and to Grant himself, but it couldn't save her from all the time she lost when Grant was preoccupied with Carolina. Zoe could not have been surprised to have been sent home. The writing was on the wall, and Zoe's time was up.

The Bachelor season 29 airs Monday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.