The Bachelor star Grant Ellis set the record straight regarding his music career after some fans accused him of appearing on the reality show for the wrong reasons.
“I think it’s possible to look for love and have interests. Maybe the timing wasn’t the best, I thought Night 1 is like a party, it’s just my vibe. I’m somebody who just likes to have fun,” Grant, 31, told “Bachelor Happy Hour” hosts Serena Pitt and Joe Amabile during his appearance on the Thursday, February 13, episode. “I’m creative, and that’s just me. So, it’s not like I’m there for the wrong reasons. I think people throw that around so much, but I think you can have both…I think music’s something that’s really fun … but no it’s not a goal or intention of mine at all.”
The Bachelorette alum continued, “I think that I’m really happy with what I do for work. I do like karaoke and getting in the studio, making a song … but I’m not pursuing a music career … you guys don’t have to worry about me dropping any more singles.”
Hours before Grant’s season of The Bachelor premiered on ABC on January 27, a TikTok user @sammysamslife shared a screenshot of his single “Party Girls.”
“Grant is being called out for all the wrong reasons just hours before his season premieres, and I’m going to be honest, I was excited for Grant’s season, but after seeing what he did, it really left a bad taste in my mouth,” the content creator said in the video. “Bachelor Nation is big on calling out people for being on the show for the wrong reasons, which basically translates to being on the show to become famous.”
The TikToker added, “And let’s be honest, a lot of people who go on The Bachelor and Bachelorette are there for the wrong reasons, but usually you can’t prove that. However, what Grant did, pretty much proved it.”
Sammy also played part of Grant’s song, which included the lyrics, “Nights like this don’t come around too often/She wanna party with the team, get it locked in/Nights like this don’t come around too often/Party girls want the same thing.”
Viewers of The Bachelor were split in the comments regarding whether or not they supported Grant’s decision to drop the single before the premiere of his season, including a former Bachelorette star.
“When ya’ll give Dancing With the Stars the same energy let me know. Not a big deal,” Nate Mitchell, who appeared in Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia’s season of The Bachelorette, wrote.
Another person agreed and said, “I’m genuinely confused. Why do the lyrics prove he wants to be on the show for the wrong reasons? Someone please enlighten me.”
Others felt like it was the wrong move.
“This explains so much. I’ve been saying he was too young and hot to be on The Bachelor,” a separate TikTok user added.
A fourth person suggested that Grant could’ve “left [the song] in the vault” before adding a laughing face emoji.
Fans first met Grant during Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette, but he was sent home before the finale. Now, he’s on his own quest for love as the lead of season 29 and music has already been a huge part of his season. In episode 2, Grant performed an impromptu song for contestant Alexe Godin during their one-on-one date.
