The Bachelor star Maria Georgas is finally coming to her own defense after Bachelor alum Nick Viall’s new wife Natalie Joy called her delusional during a recent episode of their podcast, Viall Files. Maria, who was a major player on The Bachelor season 28 with Joey Graziadei, made it all the way to hometowns during the most recent season of the reality dating series. Though Maria and Joey’s connection appeared to be strong, she had difficulty opening up to Joey about her feelings. Ultimately, Joey and Maria weren’t the right fit for one another, but Maria became a fan favorite.
"I was saying it in such a joking matter.”
On an episode of Bachelor alum Kaitlyn Bristowe’s podcast, Off The Vine, Maria shared that she wasn’t giving energy to Natalie’s comments about her. “To each their own,” Maria shared, “I had said on the podcast a little conspiracy theory that I had. I was saying it in such a joking matter.” Maria shared that she’d joked around about Nick interfering with Bachelor production to help push her feud with Sydney Gordon this season, as Nick knew both women before their time on the show. While Nick and Natalie profusely denied involvement, Maria explained it had all been a joke.
Maria Georgas & Nick Viall Have Known Each Other For Years
While many Bachelor Nation contestants don’t have ties to former cast members, Maria was one of the lucky members of the most recent cast to have a relationship with someone from Bachelor Nation. Having known Nick for years, Maria shared that she’s known Nick for years and despite some dips in their conversation, they “always found our way back to communicating” in a “friendly” way. Maria was confused when Nick didn’t seem to take her joke for what it was, explaining she “thought he would kind of laugh that off, but also appreciate that I was being supportive.”
The miscommunication between Maria, Nick, and Natalie was made more difficult by the publicity behind it, but Maria has tried to set the record straight on her most recent podcast appearance. The Bachelor Nation entanglement included Nick, who has a preexisting relationship with Maria, and Ashley Iaconneti, a Bachelor Nation alum who is friendly with Nick, as well as Sydney from The Bachelor season 28. Maria had joked that Nick and Ashley orchestrated a feud between herself and Sydney after realizing they’d both be appearing on the show. While Nick and Natalie were hurt by the accusation, Maria was kidding.
With the rumor being put to rest, Maria and the rest of the Bachelor Nation alumni should be able to move past the drama they’ve been embroiled in. While Maria’s joke may have fallen flat for Nick and Natalie, their response was difficult and public, which could call for them to apologize to the near-Bachelorette. As Maria continues on in her journey, whether that be with a Bachelor Nation show in the future or not, her time on The Bachelor will always be memorable for her razor-sharp wit and sense of humor.
