I've Changed My Mind, I Think Bachelor Producers Should Have Chosen Jonathon Johnson As Lead (Grant Is Really Struggling In The Role)

Although I was happy to see Grant revealed as the star of The Bachelor season 29 because he was one of my favorites, I was surprised that the show had passed over Jonathon, a now-28-year-old creative director who lives in Los Angeles, California. Due to spoilers, I knew at the time of Grant's announcement that Jonathon was going to make it only as far as Jenn's Final 3, so I wondered why the producers didn't choose him, but I was pleased with Grant. Now I've changed my mind because I feel that they made a mistake.

What Did Jonathon Johnson Say About Grant Ellis Being Chosen As The Bachelor Season 29 Lead Instead Of Him?

Jonathon Claims That The Bachelor Producers Never Asked Him To Take The Lead

On the Lightweights podcast, host Joe Vulpis asked Jonathon if the opportunity of being the star of The Bachelor was ever mentioned by the producers. He replied, "No. Not a mention, not an ask, not a 'Hey, we'd love to just like sit you down for a conversation.' Not once." When asked if he knew why Grant was chosen, Jonathon laughed and said, "I have no idea. But I always make the joke it's 'cause he's over 6 foot, and I'm 5'11."" They then joked about how Jonathon refers to himself as a "medium king" because of his height.

Grant Ellis Is Struggling As The Bachelor

Jonathon Might've Done A Better Job

I was very excited to see Grant as The Bachelor, but I've been disappointed in him since the season began because he's been struggling so much. While his premiere episode went very well, the drama among the women escalated during episode 2, and I feel that it was mostly his fault. I couldn't believe it when he left the group date with Zoe McGrady for an extended period of time, and I was floored when he made out with Carolina Sofia in front of all of the women on another group date.

During The Bachelor season 29 episode 3, Grant made another misstep when he became angry with Rose because he believed that she'd accused him of saying something that she didn't say. Rose had told Carolina that Grant told her that he was thinking about Rose the whole time that he was dancing with Carolina during the episode 2 group date, which Carolina confronted Grant about.

Bachelor S29 star Grant Ellis inexplicably gave Rose Sombke a rose, despite the fact that she made him look bad. Could the producers be the reason?

In addition, Grant gave Rose a rose at the ceremony, which shocked me because I couldn't understand why he'd keep her around if he really thought that she was the cause of the drama by lying about him and, as he said, making him look like a player. It just seems to me that Grant is making a lot of mistakes.

During Jenn's season, Jonathon seemed much more intentional with his words than Grant. While Grant told people that he was falling for Jenn, Jonathon held back until he was sure. While some people might see this as a red flag, I saw it as a sign of maturity that he wasn't going to fall in love with Jenn just because she was the Bachelorette. While even Jonathon looked back with some regret about moving too slowly, I think that, in the real world, he would've made a perfect partner. Therefore, I also think that he would've made a better Bachelor.

Jonathon Johnson Was Asked To Join Bachelor In Paradise Season 10

Jonathon Would've Been Better Suited For The Bachelor

I'm sad to say that, after watching Grant's first three Bachelor episodes, I think that the producers should've chosen Jonathon as the lead instead. Grant would've had a fun time exploring his options in Paradise, without the pressure of an elaborate engagement looming over him. While some Bachelor in Paradise contestants do leave engaged, I feel that there's less of an expectation to propose there than on The Bachelor. The engagement pressure clearly throws Grant for a loop because the Bachelor previews show him having a hard time making a decision between his final two women.