In this episode of U Up?, Joey Graziadei, a tennis pro cast on The Bachelor, shares his experience on the popular dating show and his overall perspective on relationships and dating. He discusses the challenges of dating on a small island like Hawaii, which led to his opportunity on the show. Joey reflects on handling the role of The Bachelor with authenticity and care for the contestants.
Joining host Jared Freid, Joey offers dating insights and contrasts their approaches, from texting and first dates to exclusivity and breakups. In a game segment, Joey and Jared reveal their relationship preferences, showcasing alignments and differences in their dating styles. This insightful episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at The Bachelor experience while offering practical dating advice from Joey and Jared.
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Joey Graziadei, hailing from Hawaii, was living a relaxed beach life as a tennis pro and "life ambassador" at a resort when he was unexpectedly messaged by a producer from "The Bachelor." His roles at the resort involved integrating guests into the local lifestyle through various activities, yet despite a fulfilling professional life, Joey faced difficulties in dating due to the small, tight-knit community. His Uncle Joe had a significant influence on him, fostering his love for tennis and the country club life. The unique challenges of dating on the island made the opportunity to find love on the show particularly appealing.
Stepping into the role of The Bachelor, Joey Graziadei found it to be more challenging than he anticipated but remained grateful for the experience. He focused on making both the women and the viewers happy, striving to handle the role with authenticity and care. He actively listened to the women, ensuring they felt heard when sharing their personal stories. Joey envisioned a long engagement period, indicating his desire for a strong and equal partnership. Jared Freid noted Joey's gentlemanly conduct, suggesting his successful efforts to maintain positivity on the show.
Joey Graziadei and Jared Freid exchanged dating insights, from conversation starters like Chinese food preferences to discussing first date ideas and flirting via text. They contrasted their dating styles, with Joey identifying as a one-woman man and emphasizing his preference for exclusivity early on in a relationship. They tackled topics such as relationship timelines, commitment steps, and ideal breakup scenarios, with Joey preferring a mutual understanding and Jared joking about a drama-free departure.
In a game led by Jordana Abraham, Joey and Jared responded to dating questions, revealing Joey's readiness for exclusivity after just a few dates and his serious attitude toward relationships, aligning with his behavior on “The Bachelor.” Despite joking about their press tour responses potentially causing a stir, they candidly discussed their dating preferences. When estimating their dating style similarity, Joey and Jared both ended up with a 20% difference, acknowledging foundational agreements but distinct approaches.
1-Page Summary
Joey Graziadei's journey to becoming a contestant on "The Bachelor" began with his laid-back life in Hawaii and a surprising direct message from a show producer.
Joey was contacted by a "The Bachelor" producer through a direct message during his time in Hawaii. His connection to the island was evident, as he had left only to return, drawn by the island's lifestyle and pace which he couldn't shake off. It was in this idyllic setting where his unexpected opportunity to join the reality TV world arose.
At the resort where Joey worked, he took on the roles of a tennis instructor and "life ambassador." These roles had him inviting guests to experience beach trips, surf lessons, and other activities that showcased the resort's amenities. He loved teaching tennis, enjoying the personal connections it allowed him to make. However, Joey wonders how his stint on television may change the dynamic of these lessons, fearing they might lose their natural charm if students feel they know him from the show.
His love for tennis was instilled by his Uncle Joe, who not only introduced him to the sport but also to the country club lifestyle. This influence led him to his career in Hawaii, intertwining his personal passions wit ...
Joey's Background and How He Got Cast on The Bachelor
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Joey Graziadei reflects on his journey as The Bachelor, acknowledging the role’s unexpected challenges and his commitment to creating a positive environment for everyone involved.
Joey Graziadei admits that he initially underestimated how tough being on The Bachelor would be. Despite the difficulties of dating as a public figure and dealing with the invasive nature of paparazzi and public scrutiny, which he suggests he's not entirely accustomed to, Joey feels grateful for the audience's investment in his journey. He implies that the most challenging parts of his experience are yet to come, yet he maintains a grateful attitude throughout.
Joey makes it clear that one of his top priorities on the show was to ensure the happiness of both the women and the audience. He acknowledges that while it’s impossible for anyone to handle the role perfectly, he consistently tried to be true to himself and do his best, believing that the women deserved that effort. Additionally, Joey describes his ideal engagement period as being lengthy, reflecting his approach to commitment and indicating a preference for a partner who seeks an equal partnership rather than falling too quickly in love.
Jared Freid, commenting on Joey's performance, notes that Joey has been a gentleman. This suggests that Joey's intentions to maintain a positive atmosphere were successful, thus validating his efforts during the show.
Joey aimed to create a safe space where the women c ...
Joey’s Experience as The Bachelor and Handling the Role
Joey Graziadei and Jared Freid share some playful and candid insights into the dating world, covering everything from conversation starters to the nuances of breakups.
Jared initiates the conversation by asking Joey to share something as simple as his typical Chinese food order. They suggest that these kinds of topics can be excellent conversation starters for a date. Joey responds by indicating his preferences—opting for crab rangoon or dumplings over soup, preferring lo mein to fried rice—and would choose sesame chicken as a main dish. The co-hosts agree that discussing food choices can be a playful and revealing way to learn about someone's preferences and personality on a first date.
Freid and Graziadei delve deeper into food preferences, revealing that talking about something as specific as one's favorite Chinese food orders can serve as a memorable and enjoyable topic during a first date. They discuss their choices in detail, indicating that such conversations are a fun and insightful way to get acquainted with someone's likes and dislikes.
The discussion takes a turn towards dating approaches and commitment. Jared talks about dating multiple people at once, saying that it's not mean-spirited as it's merely a series of first dates to explore options. In contrast, Joey asserts that he has a different approach, suggesting that he is more of a "one woman man," focusing his attention on one person at a time.
Dating Advice and Perspectives Joey and Jared Share
Joey Graziadei and Jared Freid take part in a game orchestrated by Jordana Abraham, where they answer dating questions to see how their perspectives on dating align.
The two delve into their personal dating experiences and views as they play the game.
Joey Graziadei hints at his view on exclusivity, stating that after two or three dates, he feels ready to be exclusive with someone, showcasing his proclivity towards not playing the field. He also shares that he has been close to getting engaged previously, indicating his serious approach to relationships. Additionally, Joey mentions that he wasn't lying when he claimed he was all in, implying his earnest commitment to dating, as seen during his time on “The Bachelor,” where he indicates that he dates one person at a time.
Jared and Joey joke about the potential of their honest answers to disrupt the press tour while they field questions about their dating lives. The premise of their discussion centers on understanding the dynamics of their dating preferences and styles.
Jordana Abraham challenges Joey and Jared to quantify how much their dating styles diverge. The process requires them to write down their p ...
Joey and Jared Playing a Game Answering Dating Questions
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