The Bachelor Season 29 Star Grant Ellis Reveals If The Shocking First Impression Rose Twist Influenced His Decision

The Bachelor season 29 star Grant Ellis gave his first impression rose to Alexe Godin, and he now reveals if the twist, which, for the first time ever, automatically gave the rose's recipient the first one-on-one date of the season, influenced his decision. Alexe made a strong first impression on Grant during The Bachelor season 29 premiere, when she arrived at the mansion with a live llama named Linda, who she said was her "no-drama llama." After a great conversation and a kiss, Grant gave Alexe his coveted first impression rose, and, therefore, the first one-on-one date of the season.

In an interview with EW, Grant shared that the first impression rose twist didn't affect his decision about which woman would receive it. He also revealed that he was told about the twist "leading up to the night." Grant said, "I was informed about that, and that's something new that we did to just make the season really interesting and to bring some new flavor. It didn't affect how I approached things and it didn't put any more weight on things. It just added a certain spin to how things played out."

When told that it was surprising that the first impression rose twist didn't affect his decision because adding in the first one-on-one date raises the stakes, Grant replied, "I think that when you're in a situation where you're in a mansion on TV dating multiple people, the stakes are already high. [Laughs] So, it didn't add to it, it just kept me on my toes a little bit."

Grant also shared why he chose Alexe, explaining that they had a strong connection. He said, "I just think that our connection was there and she made me laugh. We had a really good chemistry and that's why I chose her. And she brought a llama in the house! She took a risk and it paid off." Grant also commented about Linda the llama, stating, "Yeah, I'm a big animal guy, so I thought that was a really unique entrance. It was really funny. It showed her character and it showed her personality. It really stood out to me."

I was informed about that, and that's something new that we did to just make the season really interesting and to bring some new flavor. It didn't affect how I approached things and it didn't put any more weight on things. It just added a certain spin to how things played out.

I think that when you're in a situation where you're in a mansion on TV dating multiple people, the stakes are already high. [Laughs] So, it didn't add to it, it just kept me on my toes a little bit.

What Grant Ellis Giving Alexe Godin The First Impression Rose Means

Grant & Alexe Had A Very Strong Connection

Because Grant gave Alexe his first impression rose, this means that she'll also be going on the first one-on-one date of The Bachelor season 29. While this is a great sign because Alexe and Grant have so much chemistry and already like each other, it doesn't necessarily mean that Alexe will win Grant's heart in the end. In fact, in 28 Bachelor seasons, Hannah Ann Sluss is the only first impression rose recipient who won The Bachelor, when Peter Weber proposed to her. However, they broke up shortly after.

This new twist might make it easier for Grant and Alexe to form a deep connection because they're going directly into the first one-on-one date. In the past, the first impression rose winner has sometimes been seemingly forgotten about by the lead. In recent seasons, contestants such as Lea Cayanan (Joey Graziadei) and Abigail Heringer (Matt James) never received one-on-one dates at all. This twist could bring Grant and Alexe even closer together early on.

While Grant and Alexe's one-on-one date could be wonderful, it could also lead to them burning out quickly because it's too much too soon. The first impression rose and first the one-on-one date could put too much pressure on them. Hopefully, though, the twist will be a success. It's good to know that Grant knew about the twist before the premiere so that he had time to process it and make a calm decision.

Our Take On The Bachelor Season 29 First Impression Rose Twist

There Shouldn't Be Any Twists That Interfere With The Lead's Decisions

If The Bachelor is truly a show about people finding their future spouses, then there shouldn't be any twists that interfere with that process. Rather than making the show feel sincere, twists make it feel like a game show that's being manipulated by the producers. Throwing a twist into a show such as Big Brother or The Traitors that makes the game more challenging for the contestants makes sense, but it's wrong to make the Bachelor's search for love harder by introducing twists.

Although Grant said that the twist didn't affect his decision to choose Alexe, he had to have kept in mind that he'd be forced to go on the first one-on-one date with whichever woman he picked. Perhaps it was an easy choice for him because he was going to select Alexe for the first one-on-one date anyway, but he should never have been put in that position.

The Bachelor should allow relationships to develop naturally, without any interference from the producers. It's going to be very intriguing to see how the Bachelor season 29 twist affects Grant and Alexe's relationship, and, hopefully, it'll bring them closer together.