While meeting the contestants, Bachelor Nation pointed out this peculiar thing and asked online: Why did The Bachelor blur the Canadian flag?
There are 32 contestants in the cast for The Bachelor Season 28 led by Joey Graziadei, a 28-year-old Tennis Pro from Royersford, Pennsylvania. Joey was a contestant on The Bachelorette Season 20 with Charity Lawson, where he was the runner-up. He was announced as the Season 28 Bachelor at The Bachelorette Season 20 “After the Final Rose” special in August 2023. “I’m looking for someone that’s just themselves. Someone that challenges me. Someone to do life with,” Joey told host Jesse Palmer during the “After the Final Rose” special.
In an interview with BachelorNation.com in January 2024, Joey revealed whether he had any regrets about his season as the Bachelor. “I’m not really a person to have regrets. What I tried to do the whole time and what I continue to try to do is be myself and lead with what I think is the best decision,” he said. “We all make mistakes and I’m not going to look back on anything and say that was something I regret. I think that I did this to the best of my ability. I know that, so I can’t really live with any regrets with that being the case.”
In one instance, Maria Georgas came out of the limousine to introduce herself to Joey and handed him a Canadian flag in honor of her home country. Joey ended up putting the flag in his pocket, but fans noticed that the Canadian flag was blurred. “Is the Canadian flag…banned from being aired on TV?” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another posted, “On this season of #thebachelor the budget was spent on the rights to when the party is over and not to Canada for the rights to display the Canadian flag,” referring to Billie Eilish’s “when the party is over” being played in the beginning.
Well there’s a pretty important rule to why the Canadian flag is blurred during The Bachelor. Read more to find out.
Why Did The Bachelor blur the Canadian flag?
The Bachelor blurred out the Canadian flag due to it being trademark-protected. The Canadian government stated on their website, “The National Flag of Canada is protected by the Trade-marks Act against unauthorized use for commercial purposes.”
It continues, “Over the past century, symbols that have come to define our country have been formally adopted by the Government of Canada. These official symbols are protected against unauthorized use for commercial purposes.” Thus, The Bachelor couldn’t use it for the meeting scenes.
Who is The Bachelor for season 28?
Who is the Bachelor for 2024, Joey Graziadei? Joey is a 28-year-old professional tennis player from Koloa, Hawaii, and the runner-up on The Bachelorette Season 20 with Charity Lawson, was announced as the Season 28 Bachelor at The Bachelorette Season 20 “After the Final Rose” special in August 2023. “It’s sinking in very slowly but I’m trying my best just to stay present, enjoy it, but this is crazy. I mean, I’ll be the first person to say this is wild. I never expected this at all, didn’t know this is what my life is turning at this moment. So yeah, crazy stuff, but I’m excited,” Joey said.
Joey, who called the experience “surreal,” told host Jesse Palmer that he felt ready to look for love again after Charity sent him home at the Final Rose Ceremony over her winner, Dotun Olubeko. “I’m more ready than I was in that moment,” Joey said. “For me, it was just, you have to take some time to get a little bit more closure. Watching Dotun and Charity’s connection was enough for me.”
Joey, who claimed that the breakup “opened up a part of me that wanted something so bad,” also told Palmer what he was looking for in a future partner. “Someone that’s just themselves that I can truthfully be a partner with. I want someone that challenges me. I want someone that I can challenge. I just want someone to do life with. I just want someone that’s going to be my person,” he said.
During The Bachelorette Season 20 “After the Final Rose” special, Joey also met his first contestant, Leia, who was in the audience for the live taping. “I think we have a lot in common, so I’m excited to kind of explore that,” Leia told Joey during the episode. In an Instagram video after the “After the Final Rose” special, Joey confirmed that was the Bachelor for the right reasons. “I’m definitely the hopeless romantic,” he said. “I want to be married. I want to have a love that lasts a lifetime. So I’m really ready to go on this journey.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in August 2023, Charity commended Joey for a conversation they had about interracial Relationships during her Bachelorette season. “It’s huge to have had the opportunity to have that conversation, and then for it to be aired on national television — we don’t see it a lot, especially in this franchise. It was something that I was a little nervous about because I just did not know how it was going to go,” she said. “But my whole plan of being a Black woman in this lead role is having these important conversations. Also, there were conversations that I had with several other men that did not make air, and that’s OK. But it was one of my priorities to have conversations about something that’s extremely important to me and that would essentially become a very important part of their lives, too, if they ended up with me.”
In a blog post in July 2023, Reality Steve named Joey as The Bachelorette Season 20 contestant most likely to become the next Bachelor for Season 28. “I know Joey fans won’t be happy, but it is what it is,” Reality Steve wrote about Joey not receiving Charity’s Final Rose. “I’m sure he’s got a great shot for Bachelor, so I guess just hope for that. He seems to have the biggest following of Charity’s men and will be the sentimental favorite once Charity breaks up with him at final rose ceremony. So you’d think he’s got a good shot at it, but who knows.”
Read Joey’s Bachelorette 2023 biography and fun facts ahead:
“’Love’ may mean nothing in tennis, but to Joey, it’s everything! After graduation, this tennis pro quickly realized the corporate world wasn’t for him and moved to Hawaii to live his passion of teaching his favorite sport. Spending his days on the court and evenings on the beach watching the sunset with friends, Joey’s life is truly paradise. The only thing missing is someone with whom to share it. Outgoing, friendly and loyal, Joey is looking for a partner who can share in his love for adventure. Will he find a doubles partner in Charity? Here’s to hoping it’s “game, set, match” for Joey!
Fun Facts:
• Joey is a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan.
• Joey is an avid star gazer.
• Joey’s recent obsessions are golf and country music.”
Who are The Bachelor season 28 contestants?
Read more below for The Bachelor season 28 contestants vying for Joey’s heart.
- Allison Hollinger, 26; Dover, Delaware – Realtor
- Autumn Waggoner, 26; De Soto, Missouri – Acount Executive
- Chandler Dewgard, 24; Brooklyn, New York – Graphic Designer
- Chrissa Perez, 26; Abbotsford, British Columbia – Marketing Director
- Daisy Kent, 25; Becker, Minnesota – Account Executive
- Edwina Dorbor, 25; Maple Grove, Minnesota – Entrepreneur
- Erika Cardenas, 25; North Bergen, New Jersey – Leasing agent
- Evalin Clark, 29; San Antonio, Texas – Nanny
- Jennifer “Jenn” Tran, 25; Hillsdale, New Jersey – Physician Assistant Student
- Jessica “Jess” Edwards, 24; Erwin, Tennessee – Executive Assistant
- Katelyn DeBacker, 26; Santa Fe, New Mexico – Radiochemist
- Kayla Rodgers, 27; Hamilton, Ohio – Guidance Counselor
- Kelsey Anderson, 25; Leesville, Louisiana – Junior Project Manager
- Kelsey Toussant, 31; Inglewood, California – Actress
- Kyra Brusch, 26; Miami, Florida – Paralegal
- Lanie Latsios, 27; Glen Mills, Pennsylvania – Realtor
- Lauren Hollinger, 28; Dover, Delaware – Registered Nurse
- Lea Cayanan, 23; Waipahu, Hawaii – Account Manager
- Lexi Young, 30; Pataskala, Ohio – Digital Strategist
- Madina Alam, 31; Johnstown, New York – Mental Health Therapist
- Maria Georgas, 29; Kleinburg, Ontario – Executive Assistant
- Marlena Haddad, 26; Waterbury, Connecticut – Finance Writer
- Natatalie “Nat” Crepeau, 26; Sudbury, Ontario – Nursing Professor
- Rachel Nance, 26; Honolulu, Hawaii – ICU Nurse
- Samantha “Sam” Hale, 31; Melville, New York – CPA
- Samantha Washington, 25; Lincoln, Nebraska – Miami Dolphins Cheerleader
- Sandra Rabadi, 26; Strongville, Ohio – Cybersecurity Consultant
- Starr Skyler, 25; Delray Beach, Florida – Mental Health Counselor
- Sydney Gordon, 28; Newport, Rhode Island – Vintage Store Owner
- Talyah Jackson, 23; Huntington Beach, California – Esthetician
- Taylor Wiens, 23; Olathe, Kansas – Recruiter
- Zoe Antona, 24; Roswell, Georgia – Artist
Who’s The Bachelor host?
Who is the Bachelor in Paradise 2024 host? The Bachelor Season 28 host is Jesse Palmer, who was the Season 5 Bachelor in 2004 and was the youngest Bachelor in Bachelor Nation history at 24 years old. Jesse hosted his first Bachelor franchise show in 2022 with The Bachelor Season 26 with Clayton Echard. During The Bachelor Season 5 finale, Jesse gave his Final Rose to Jessica Bowlin, but didn’t propose to her. Jesse and Jessica continued to Date, but ended their Relationship a few weeks after the finale of their Bachelor Season aired. In June 2020, Jesse and his girlfriend, Emely Fardo, married in an intimate wedding in New York City. Jesse told Us Weekly in November 2021 that he and Emely planned to marry in Provence, France, before the current health crisis cancelled their wedding date. “We had originally planned a wedding in Provence, France, for summer 2020, which was postponed until summer of 2021 due to the pandemic, but we didn’t want to wait any longer,” he said at the time. “So, we had a small, private and intimate ceremony with close friends who lived in New York City.”
Jesse graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played football for the Florida Gators, in 2001 with a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science and a bachelor’s of science degree in marketing. After graduation, Jesse was drafted by the National Football League to play for the New York Giants. He played with the team for four seasons from 2001 to 2005 as a quarterback. After the New York Giants, Jesse was drafted by the Canadian Football League to play for the Montreal Alouettes. He played with the team until 2005 when he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers. He then resigned with the Montreal Alouettes in 2006 before he retired from football in 2007 to pursue a broadcasting career. Since his broadcasting career started, Jesse has worked with networks like Fox, NFL Network, ESPN, ABC and SEC Network. He’s also guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and made guest appearances on shows like Recipe to Riches and Good Morning America, and hosted the Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship and Holiday Baking Championship.
Jesse was announced as The Bachelor Season 26 host in September 2021. “For more than 20 years, The Bachelor has brought the world dozens of unforgettable love stories, including at one time, my own,” he said at the time. “Falling in love is one of life’s greatest gifts, and I am humbled by the opportunity to return to the show as host this Season to offer the newest Bachelor advice gained from firsthand experience and I am grateful to play a small part in his journey.” The announcement came after Chris Harrison, the former host of Bachelor Nation, confirmed in June 2021 that he had retired as the franchise’s host after 19 years. “I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter,” he wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “I’m so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we’ve made together. While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime.”
Deadline reported at the time that Chris received a mid-range, eight-figure settlement as part of exit plan with ABC, the network that airs the Bachelor franchise, and Warner Bros. Television, the company that produces the Bachelor shows. The magazine also reported that Harrison’s settlement included a nondisclosure agreement. Chris’ decision to retire as Bachelor Nation’s host came after he was slammed for his response to Season 25 Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s racism scandal in February 2021. Rachael, the winner of Matt James’ season, faced backlash at the time when photos resurfaced of her at an Old South Antebellum-themed party at Georgia College in 2018. Before the pictures went viral, Rachael was already under controversy after her former high school classmate accused her on TikTok of bullying her and other students for Dating Black men. Other TikTok users then exposed Rachael for liking social media photos of her friends in culturally insensitive costumes and with Confederate flags.
Chris came under controversy after he was interviewed about the scandal by Season 13 Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay on Extra. During the interview, Chris asked fans to give Rachael “grace” and explained that he didn’t find the Antebellum party photos offensive because they just looked like pictures a college student takes at a party. Harrison also questioned whether the photos would be considered racially insensitive in 2018 when they were taken. After the interview, many fans slammed Harrison and accused him of excusing Rachael’s behavior.
ABC confirmed in March 2021 that Chris wouldn’t host Season 17 of The Bachelorette and would be replaced by Tayshia and Kaitlyn. “Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of The Bachelorette,” ABC said in a statement at the time. “We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing. In his absence, former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will support the new Bachelorette through next season. As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion within The Bachelor franchise, we are dedicated to improving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks. These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world.” He officially retired as the Bachelor Nation’s host in June 2021.
The Bachelor Season 28 airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Here’s how to watch it for free.
To get more of an inside scoop, check out Los Angeles Times writer Amy Kaufman’s book, Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure, for a deep dive into the Bachelor franchise. The book uncovers the secrets of Bachelor Nation, from how much the Bachelor and the Bachelorette are paid to the rules contestants have to follow, that producers don’t want fans to know. It’s a must-read for any Bachelor Nation member.
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