The Bachelorette season 17 came to an end on Monday, August 21, 2023, with a shocking twist. Charity Lawson, the 26-year-old social media manager from Los Angeles, chose Dotun Olubeko, the 28-year-old software engineer from Nigeria, as her final rose recipient and fiancé. The couple got engaged on a romantic beach in Maldives, after Dotun popped the question with a stunning Neil Lane diamond ring.
However, before Charity could celebrate her happy ending, she had to break the heart of Joey Graziadei, the 27-year-old tennis pro from Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Joey was the frontrunner for most of the season, thanks to his easygoing personality, chemistry with Charity, and compelling family backstory. Joey’s parents got divorced after his father came out as gay when he was a child.
Joey was confident that he would be the one to propose to Charity, and even told her that he loved her during their fantasy suite date. However, Charity had doubts about their relationship, and decided to follow her heart and choose Dotun instead. She tearfully broke up with Joey on the morning of the final rose ceremony, leaving him devastated and confused.
“I want love, bad,” Joey said in his exit interview. “I would just ask the universe, ‘When, when is it going to happen for me?’”
The Next Bachelor Announcement
Joey’s heartbreak did not last long, as he was announced as the next Bachelor during the live After the Final Rose special hosted by Jesse Palmer. Joey received a warm welcome from the studio audience and the fans watching at home, who were eager to see him find his true love.
“It’s definitely surreal. It’s sinking in very slowly, but I’m trying my best just to enjoy it, but this is crazy,” Joey said of being the next Bachelor. “Crazy stuff, but excited.”
Joey revealed that he was ready to move on from Charity and start his journey as the Bachelor. He said that he wanted someone who was outgoing, caring, and shared his love for adventure and exploring the outdoors. He also said that he wanted someone who could challenge him and be his partner in life.
“Someone that’s just themself that I can truthfully be a partner with,” he said. “I want someone that challenges me, I want someone I can challenge. I just want someone to do life with.”
Joey also got a surprise when one of the women who will be competing for his heart was introduced on stage. She was a 25-year-old nurse from Nashville named Haley, who said that she was a huge fan of Joey and his tennis skills. She also gave him a tennis ball with her phone number on it, and asked him to call her when he was ready.
Joey seemed flattered by Haley’s gesture, and said that he was looking forward to meeting her and the other women on his season.
What to Expect from Joey’s Season
Joey’s season of The Bachelor is set to air in early 2024 on ABC. According to a press release from the network, Joey will meet 30 women who will vie for his heart and his final rose. Some of the women will include a former Miss USA winner, a professional dancer, a pediatrician, and a dog groomer.
Joey will also travel to various locations around the world with his potential matches, such as Hawaii, Switzerland, Italy, and Australia. He will also face some drama and surprises along the way, as some of the women will have secrets from their pasts that will come back to haunt them.
Joey will also have some familiar faces from Bachelor Nation to help him out with his decisions. Some of the former Bachelors and Bachelorettes who will make appearances on his season are Rachel Lindsay , Matt James , Tayshia Adams , and Colton Underwood .
Will Joey find his happily ever after on The Bachelor? Fans will have to tune in next year to find out.