Three months after finding love in front of millions, Season 29’s leading man and his final rose recipient are officially going their separate ways.
When the world watched Grant Ellis get down on one knee during the emotional finale of The Bachelor Season 29, hearts collectively swooned. After weeks of romantic dates, heart-wrenching eliminations, and whispered confessions under the stars, Grant proposed to Juliana Pasquarosa — and she said yes. It was the kind of reality TV magic that leaves viewers reaching for tissues and Instagram handles.
But on June 13, just three months after the fairy-tale engagement aired, the couple shocked Bachelor Nation by announcing their breakup through heartfelt Instagram statements. The dream, as they both gently revealed, was over.
This is the story of what went right, what went wrong, and why it still matters.
When Grant Ellis, a charismatic day trader from New Jersey, was announced as the lead for Season 29, fans were hopeful. At 31, with his career established and an earnest desire to find “forever love,” Grant brought maturity to the mansion — a refreshing shift from the drama-heavy seasons of years past.
Juliana Pasquarosa, 28, entered the scene with quiet confidence. A client service associate and co-founder of a sustainable fashion brand, she quickly became a fan favorite for her intelligence, emotional openness, and calm demeanor.
Their connection built steadily over the weeks, often away from the chaos of the group dates. From a one-on-one picnic in wine country to a candlelit piano duet in Florence, Italy, their chemistry was undeniable. Grant often described Juliana as “a calming presence in the storm,” while she noted how safe she felt in his company — a rare feat on national television.
But the finale in late March delivered a gut-punch to viewers when Litia Garr — the fan favorite and early frontrunner — was eliminated moments before Grant proposed to Juliana. The decision left viewers stunned, especially when Grant, in a confessional, admitted he could only “see forever love” with Juliana.
It was a bold choice, and one many believed signaled that Grant was truly following his heart.
Fast forward to June 13. On what should’ve been a celebratory stretch of their relationship — perhaps moving in together, planning a wedding, or at the very least doing a press tour — the couple shared a very different kind of announcement.
In a statement posted to his Instagram Story, Grant wrote, “This is one of the harder things I’ve had to write, but I want to share it honestly. Juliana and I have decided to end our relationship.”
The message was not bitter, nor was it vague. It was personal. It was vulnerable.
“We both gave this our best and poured a lot of love into each other,” he continued, “but after a lot of deep conversations, we’ve come to the understanding that we’re simply not the right fit long-term.”
Juliana posted her own statement shortly afterward, echoing Grant’s sentiments with thoughtful reflection. “Marriage is a commitment, and it’s one we both still believe in deeply,” she wrote. “After a lot of honest conversations and reflection, we’ve come to the decision that this chapter of our lives is meant to continue on separate paths.”
It was, for many fans, a bittersweet end to a love story they had invested in emotionally.
To outsiders, a Bachelor breakup might seem like another predictable chapter in the show’s long history of short-lived relationships. After all, only a small fraction of couples from the franchise have lasted. But for viewers who followed Grant and Juliana’s journey, this split stings a little more.
Why? Because they seemed different.
Unlike many Bachelor relationships built on adrenaline, tropical cocktails, and contrived dates, Grant and Juliana appeared grounded. Their conversations were filled with depth — discussing values, family, even how they envisioned blending their careers. They weren’t just giggling on hot air balloons or staging sunsets; they were doing the real work of understanding one another.
In a way, that made their eventual breakup feel even more sobering. If they couldn’t make it work — two seemingly self-aware, mature, and emotionally available people — then who could?
But perhaps the breakup isn’t a sign of failure. Perhaps it’s a reflection of something even braver: knowing when to walk away with grace.
Breakups in the Bachelor universe are never simple. They aren’t just personal decisions — they’re public reckonings. Fans demand answers, tabloids sniff out blame, and social media spirals with speculation.
Yet, both Grant and Juliana have chosen to handle the aftermath with care.
“There’s no negativity here, no resentment,” Grant wrote in his statement. “Just two people who care about each other and want the best for one another moving forward.”
Juliana echoed that clarity, adding, “We shared something meaningful, navigating a unique journey side by side, learning, growing, and showing up for each other the best we knew how.”
Their ability to part without bitterness is noteworthy. It speaks to a level of maturity and mutual respect that many relationships — televised or not — fail to achieve.
So, what’s next for them individually?
Grant has hinted in recent interviews that he’s diving back into his career in finance and possibly exploring motivational speaking. Meanwhile, Juliana continues her work with her clothing brand and is reportedly planning a retreat centered on mindfulness and personal growth.
They may no longer be a couple, but their lives — and ambitions — are very much intact.
Grant and Juliana’s breakup also reopens an ongoing conversation about the nature of reality TV romance. The Bachelor franchise has long been scrutinized for its structure — forcing contestants into high-stakes relationships under a tight timeline and unnatural conditions.
Yes, the exotic locations and curated dates make for good television. But do they foster real, lasting connection?
In the real world, couples don’t have producers nudging conversations or champagne-fueled fantasy suites to fast-track intimacy. They have mundane mornings, career demands, family dynamics, and complex emotional histories to navigate.
And when the cameras turn off, and the red carpets fade, couples like Grant and Juliana are left with the question every new relationship must eventually face: Do we work outside of the fairy tale?
This time, the answer was no. And that’s okay.
It’s easy to dismiss Bachelor couples as fleeting. But Grant Ellis and Juliana Pasquarosa offered something rare during their time together — authenticity. Their love story wasn’t just about passion and picturesque moments; it was about two people earnestly trying to find connection in a complicated world.
Their breakup, handled with honesty and grace, is perhaps the most mature conclusion any Bachelor couple has shown in years.
And maybe, just maybe, the lesson here isn’t about heartbreak at all. Maybe it’s about honoring love in whatever form it comes — and knowing when to release it with respect.
As Juliana so beautifully put it: “We’re still cheering each other on, just from different places now.”
Breakups are never easy — especially when they play out in the public eye. But Grant and Juliana have shown that it’s possible to move on without tearing each other down. Their story, from the rose-studded proposal to their gentle farewell, is a reminder that not all endings are failures.
Sometimes, they’re just new beginnings.
