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The conclusion of The Bachelor season 28 marked a new beginning for Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson, who became engaged during the finale. More than two years later, the couple is sharing how they’ve managed to defy the odds as a successful reality TV romance. Joey, now 30, and Kelsey, 27, are among just three Bachelor couples who have remained together post-show, joining the ranks of married pairs Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici, as well as Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar.
Despite the fact that The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise boast higher success rates, Joey and Kelsey stand out as one of the rare enduring couples since the franchise’s inception in 2002. As they embark on wedding planning and contemplate their future, the pair reflects on what has helped them succeed and what parts of the show’s experience make Kelsey feel like she could “throw up” when she looks back.
In a conversation with People, Joey shed light on their relationship’s resilience against the typical reality TV pitfalls. He noted that after the conclusion of The Bachelor season 28, they made a conscious effort to recalibrate. Joey stated, “I think the most important thing we did was reset when the show was done airing. We had to close that chapter and focus on how we could start building a new life together. We continue to work on that and choose each other every day.”
The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei & Kelsey Anderson Agree That Their Relationship Survived Because Of A Reset
In an interview with People, when asked why their relationship has beaten the reality TV odds, Joey explained that they took the time to refocus after The Bachelor season 28 ended. He said, “I think the most important thing we did was reset when the show was done airing. We had to close that chapter and focus on how we could start building a new life together. We continue to work on that and choose each other every day.”
Kelsey agreed with Joey’s assessment, stating, “I agree. I think we beat the odds because we built a strong foundation on the show, but made sure to block out all the noise post-show and continued to build on that foundation.”
As a veteran reality TV couple, Joey and Kelsey offered advice to people who decide to find love on future shows. Joey said, “Stay present and don’t forget to always be yourself.” Kelsey advised, “Go into it with an open mind and embrace the experience.”
Joey & Kelsey Acknowledge The Pros & Cons Of Meeting On The Bachelor, Including One Aspect That Makes Kelsey Feel Sick
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When asked what the best and worst parts about meeting on reality TV were, Joey said, “I think the best part about meeting on reality TV is that you really dive deep quickly since you don’t have a ton of time. But I would also say the worst part is the lack of time we had sometimes. There was never enough time with Kelsey. I always wanted more.”
Kelsey shared, “The best part is that we would have never met without it, but the worst part is that my fiancée had to date 31 other women while getting to know me.” When asked which moment she hoped to never see again, Kelsey responded, “I hope to never watch Joey kiss another girl again. I’d throw up.”
Joey answered, “That’s so fair. I do sneakily watch our engagement moment. I could just see how excited I was to start my life with Kelsey. I don’t know, it was a pure moment for me.”
Joey & Kelsey Liked Each Other From The First Moment They Met On The Bachelor
When asked if they remembered their first reaction to seeing each other, Joey gushed, “Of course. The two first things I noticed about Kelsey were her big smile and her big hair. I have never seen someone more beautiful and radiant.”
Kelsey replied, “I remember thinking, ‘Daaaaaaang. He is even cuter in person.’ And my heart dropped into my stomach because I was so nervous.”
Joey and Kelsey also discussed how they respond when people ask about their unconventional meeting. The Dancing With The Stars season 33 winner revealed that people have a lot of questions when he and Kelsey reveal that they met on The Bachelor. He said, “I say, ‘We actually met on national TV.’ And then all of the questions start rolling in.” Kelsey quipped, “I tell people that I won The Bachelor and Joey was my trophy.”
Joey and Kelsey are one of the most beloved Bachelor couples. It’s been beautiful to watch them meet, fall in love, and get engaged. Joey and Kelsey are the perfect example of how The Bachelor can be successful, and future couples should follow their example in order to live happily ever after.
Source: People
- Release Date
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March 24, 2002
- Network
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ABC
- Directors
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Brian Steimle, Ken Fuchs
- Writers
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Mike Fleiss