He was America’s golden boy, the Bachelor who handed out roses with charm and sincerity. But behind the fairytale proposal and sunset kisses, Joey Graziadei is now pulling back the curtain on what happens after the final rose — and what it really means to love someone once the cameras stop rolling.
In a vulnerable new interview, Joey opens up about the quiet challenges of his relationship with Kelsey Anderson, revealing that their journey hasn’t been as effortless as it looked on screen.
“She’s incredible. And I know I’m the lucky one,” Joey said. “But sometimes… I still feel like I’m figuring out how to be the man she truly needs.”
The Real Work Begins After the Show
Joey admits the transition from the Bachelor bubble to real life was a harsh wake-up call.
“When you’re in the fantasy world of the show, everything’s set up for romance. But in real life? You’re tired, you disagree, you’re forced to really communicate. And that’s where I realized I had a lot of growing to do.”
While the love is still strong, Joey says he underestimated how much emotional support Kelsey would need — and how often he fell short without realizing it.
“She’s so good at holding space for other people. She’ll ask how I’m doing, how my day was, how I’m feeling… and I didn’t always do that back,” he admitted. “Not because I didn’t care — but because I didn’t realize how much she needed to feel seen, too.”
“She’s Not Just Strong — She’s Human”
Joey shared that one of the biggest lessons he’s learning is that strength can be misleading.
“Everyone sees Kelsey as this confident, radiant woman — and she is,” he said. “But she has soft spots. Insecurities. Fears. And I wasn’t always good at slowing down to hold those parts of her.”
He says moments that once felt small — missing a check-in call, brushing past her worries — now carry a different weight.
“Those things build up. And one day I realized I was giving her a version of love that wasn’t enough. She deserves the kind that listens harder, loves slower, holds tighter.”
“I Don’t Want to Lose Her by Loving Her the Wrong Way”
Joey admits there have been tough conversations. Nights of miscommunication. Times when Kelsey has pulled back, unsure if he really gets her.
“I’ve seen the doubt in her eyes. And it kills me — because I know I love her. I just didn’t always know how to show it in the way that reached her heart.”
His goal now? To not just keep the love alive — but to deepen it.
“I want to be the guy who doesn’t just bring her flowers… but knows why she needs them on the hard days. Who doesn’t just hold her hand in public, but sits with her when she’s quiet and hurting.”
A Love That’s Still Growing
Joey isn’t pretending to have it all figured out — and that’s what makes his confession so powerful.
“It’s not about being the perfect man. It’s about showing up. Admitting when I’ve fallen short. And reminding her, every single day, that she’s not alone in this.”
Because in the end, as Joey says:
“I gave her a rose. But she deserves a love that grows. And I’m going to spend every day proving I’m capable of that.”
