The Bachelor kicked off its 28th season on Monday, January 22, with Joey Graziadei, a 28-year-old tennis pro from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, ready to find his soulmate from a field of 32 women — the most in Bachelor history.
Graziadei made his Bachelor Nation debut when he appeared on Charity Lawson‘s season of The Bachelorette, making it to the end as her runner-up; ultimately she became engaged to Dotun Olubeko.
One by one, Joey greeted the ladies at the entrance to the mansion, with some going out of their way to make an unforgettable first impression. Among them was Jenn, who ditched the traditional limo ride for a go-kart. Then there was Jess, who pulled up perched atop a speedboat.
Two of Joey’s suitors, Allison and Lauren, both live in Philadelphia. Oh, and there’s something else they have in common — they’re sisters.
There was also a bit of night one drama when Jess, despite insisting she didn’t want to be “that woman,” bragged to the other ladies that she and Joey shared a “smooch” during their one-on-one time. She shared in a confessional that she wanted to “scoop him up and talk to him again,” a promise she made good on later. Jess’ double-dipping didn’t sit well with the others, particularly Taylor, whose conversation was interrupted by Jess to get that extra kiss. The two had words with each other afterward.
On the other end of the spectrum there was Lea, who we first met during The Golden Bachelor‘s “After the Final Rose” special. Lea was handed an envelope with instructions not to open it until she got to the mansion. A note inside challenged her with a moral dilemma — the power to steal a one-on-one date from one of the other women at any point during the competition. Tempting as that was, Lea turned down the offer, throwing the note in the fireplace. The unselfish act impressed the other ladies, but more importantly, Joey, who offered her the first impression rose.
At the rose ceremony, Chandler, Kayla, Kyra, Lanie, Nat, Sam, Samantha, Sandra, Talyah and Zoe were sent home.
Here are the women remaining after the first rose ceremony:
Allison, 26, a realtor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Autumn, 26, an account executive from St. Louis, Missouri
Chrissa, 26, a marketing director from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Daisy, 25, an account executive from Becker, Minnesota
Edwina, 25, an entrepreneur from Atlanta, Georgia
Erika, 25, a leasing agent from North Bergen, New Jersey
Evalin, 29, a nanny from San Antonio, Texas
Jenn, 25, a physician assistant student from Miami, Florida
Jessica “Jess,” 24, an executive assistant from San Diego, California
Katelyn, 25, a radiochemist from Santa Fe, New Mexico
Kelsey A., 25, a junior project manager from New Orleans, Louisiana
Kelsey T., 31, an actor from Los Angeles, California
Lauren, 28, a registered nurse from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Maria “Lea,” 23, an account manager from Waipahu, Hawaii
Alexandra “Lexi,” 30, a digital strategist from Atlanta, Georgia
Madina, 31, a mental health therapist from Charlotte, North Carolina
Maria, 29, an executive assistant from Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada
Marlena, 26, a finance writer from West Palm Beach, Florida
Rachel, 26, an ICU nurse from Honolulu, Hawaii
Starr, 25, a mental health counselor from Delray Beach, Florida
Sydney, 28, a vintage store owner from Newport, Rhode Island
Taylor, 23, a recruiter from Chicago, Illinois
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