Meet Bachelor Joey Graziadei’s First Impression Rose Winner

The Bachelor Season 28: Meet the Contestants

Joey Graziadei is ready to meet his game, set, match.

The Bachelor season 28 is already starting to blossom, as the teaching tennis pro met 32 contestants—the most to ever enter to the mansion on night one—during ABC’s Jan. 22 premiere.

The ladies tried to capture Joey’s heart with their creative entrances, including through surprising modes of transportation (Jenn arrived on a go-kart, Jess on a boat and Daisy in a car toting a Christmas tree.)

Others chose seductive props, with Zoe serving him with a silver platter displaying bananas cut to different lengths and asking which one he “resonated” with. Meanwhile, Taylor tossed him a giant lacy bra—we’re talking larger than a ballgown—and quipped, “Just wanted to show you I’m here for the massive support.”

However, it was Lea’s simple limo entrance that caught his eye and earned her the first impression rose at the end of the night.

The account manager from Hawaii—where Joey also used to live—arrived in a gorgeous champagne dress, carrying only the envelope she had received from host Jesse Palmer during Charity Lawson’s Bachelorette finale episode. 

During a private moment, Lea opened card to reveal that it contained an advantage: To steal a one-on-one date from another woman any time before the Hometowns. However, the offer proved to be more of a moral dilemma for Lea, who got teary-eyed after reading the letter. 

“I do believe it was gifted to me for a reason, but I think that is a tricky one to navigate,” she said in a confessional. “It’s going to have to come at the expense of someone else. All of the girls in there are so wonderful. I just feel so bad.”

Disney/John Fleenor

The 23-year-old also explained her problem to Joey, telling him, “I want to give a lot of autonomy to you in your journey and the intentions you set. And I also want to give a lot of love and respect to the women that have put their life on hold to come here.”

She added that she didn’t want to “play God in this and interfere,” and Joey assured her that her response spoke volumes about her character. 

“I can have as many advantages and superficial little one ups as I can,” Lea continued, “but if I’m not Joey’s person at the end of this, then I’m not. And if I am, I am. And it’s not gonna matter whether or not I get a little card.”

After telling the other girls about her advantage, Lea ultimately burned the card in the fireplace to show she was forfeiting the golden ticket.

Disney/John Fleenor

So, when it came to handing out the first impression rose, Joey decided to trust his gut.

“She gives me that validation that she is here for the right reasons,” he said in an interview. “She has characteristics and qualities that I want in my life.”

Joey then pulled Lea aside, explaining that her “interpretation and thoughts” of the envelope showed him the kind of person she is.

“It means a ton to me, and would you accept this rose?” he asked and, once she accepted, the pair shared a sweet kiss. 

“This is going to be the start of a crazy, crazy journey,” Lea added in a confessional. “I can already tell.”

Read on to find out more about the frontrunner and Joey’s other contestants on The Bachelor season 28:

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Maria, 29

Occupation: Executive Assistant

Location: Kleinburg, Ontario

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Sandra, 26

Occupation: Cybersecurity Consultant

Location: Nashville, Tenn.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Sydney, 28

Occupation: Vintage Store Owner

Location: Newport, R.I.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Samantha, 25

Occupation: Pro Football Cheerleader

Location: Miami, Fla.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Marlena, 26

Occupation: Finance Writer

Location: West Palm Beach, Fla.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Zoe, 24

Occupation: Artist

Location: Atlanta, Ga.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Rachel, 26

Occupation: ICU Nurse

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Allison, 26

Occupation: Realtor

Location: Philadelphia, Penn.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Kayla, 27

Occupation: Guidance Counselor

Location: Hamilton, Ohio

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Chandler, 24

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Location: New York, N.Y.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Edwina, 25

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Location: Atlanta, Ga.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Katelyn, 25

Occupation: Radiochemist

Location: Santa Fe, N.M.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Kelsey T., 31

Occupation: Actor

Location: Los Angeles, Calif.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Erika, 25

Occupation: Leasing Agent

Location: North Bergen, N.J.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Evalin, 29

Occupation: Nanny

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Kyra, 26

Occupation: Paralegal

Location: Miami, Fla.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Talyah, 23

Occupation: Esthetician

Location: Huntington Beach, Calif.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Jess, 24

Occupation: Executive Assistant

Location: San Diego, Calif.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Lea, 23

Occupation: Account Manager

Location: Waipahu, Hawaii

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Jenn, 25

Occupation: Physician Assistant Student

Location: Miami, Fla.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Lexi, 30

Occupation: Digital Strategist

Location: Atlanta, Ga.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Taylor, 23

Occupation: Recruiter

Location: Chicago, Ill.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Lanie, 27

Occupation: Realtor

Location: Philadelphia, Penn.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Autumn, 26

Occupation: Account Executive

Location: St. Louis, Mo.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Starr, 25

Occupation: Mental Health Counselor

Location: Delray Beach, Fla.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Lauren, 28

Occupation: Registered Nurse

Location: Philadelphia, Penn.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Kelsey A., 25

Occupation: Junior Project Manager

Location: New Orleans, La.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Madina, 31

Occupation: Mental Health Therapist

Location: Charlotte, N.C.

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Chrissa, 26

Occupation: Marketing Director

Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia

Disney/ Richard Middlesworth

Sam, 31

Occupation: CPA

Location: Nashville, Tenn.

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