Congratulations, you crazy kids!
As the old saying goes, rose lovers, the heart wants what it wants.
And if that isnt enough,ABCannounced theirbold choice for the next Bachelorette.
Joey emerges from the sea like a male Venus on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Take us back to Mexico, just.
I have two women left.
Im falling in love with both of them, says the Bachelor.
There’s no way Joey owns a journal.ABC
And in a few days, Ill be getting down on one knee and proposing and hopefully getting engaged.
First, theres Kelsey, the 25-year-old junior project manager from New Orleans.
Joey says shes a bright light.
Joey’s family waits for him on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Shes goofy, shes fun, shes sweet, shes kind, shes everything I wanted and more.
And behind door number two, we have Daisy, the 25-year-old account executive from Becker, Minnesota.
I have zero doubts that a life with Daisy would be special…
“You dated HOW MANY women???".ABC
I can see us having a really beautiful life together.
With that, its time for family meet and greet No.
Daisy, youre up!
Joey and Daisy on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Her tan, that dress shes just adorable.
With that heartwarming moment behind them, Carly and Ellie invite Daisy for a two-on-one chat.
Have you said, I love you to him?
Joey’s sisters Ellie and Carly on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Oh yeah, everyones crying.
Daisy is very precious and sweet, says Ellie.
The sisters immediately sit down with Joey for a debrief.
Joey’s mom gives Daisy a hug on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Joey hates the idea of hurting anyone.
It puts knots in my stomach, he admits.
Whoever I dont choose, there will be two people that are heartbroken itll be me and them.
Kelsey meets the family on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Sir, did no one explain the concept ofThe Bachelorto you before you signed the contract?
Meanwhile, Cathy and Daisy are getting to know each other in another room.
Mom asks Daisy what makes her unique, and she says its her resilience.
Kelsey bids Joey farewell on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
I dont give up on myself, and I dont give up on other people, says Daisy.
I love very deeply, and I love very big.
She also admits to being scared that shell get hurt, but says Joey is worth it.
Joey and Daisy receive a copal cleanse on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Im so confident in him, adds Daisy, choking up again.
Im so sure, and so it is scary.
Mom cant help but get teary, too.
Daisy declares her love on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
I want the best for you, says Cathy.
I would be honored to have you as a daughter-in-law.
UGH, how dare this show make me feel actual emotions?
Kelsey and Joey have one last chat on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Welp, its time for Daisy to say goodbye.
She and Joey share a few farewell smooches, too, but she doesnt drop the l-bomb.
I guess shes waiting for her Last Chance DateTM?
Neil Lane shows Joey a ring on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Come on in, maam!
Kelsey and Joeys mom match!
That must be a sign, right?
Daisy hugs Kelsey on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Like Daisy, Kelsey gets choked up a bit while recapping her journey with Joey.
I lost my mom a couple years ago, she says through her tears.
I know she would love Joey.
Holy crap.ABC
Hes got the best heart.
Ellie and Carly sit down with Kelsey first, and she immediately makes it known that she loves Joey.
Big sister does NOT love it.
Daisy and Kelsey embrace on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Kelsey is amazing, says Carly.
Carly and Ellie express these concerns to Joey during their subsequent debrief.
If you proposed today, 100 percent yes, says Carly.
Joey greets Kelsey at the Proposal Platform on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
When we asked Kelsey, she said, I think so.
Naturally, the Bachelor does NOT love it.
It does get me a little scared, he says.
Joey proposes to Kelsey on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
I need to talk to Kelsey more about that answer.
I know Im the one.
OMG, this MAN, yall!
Kelsey and Joey on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Poor Kelsey, getting her second you might lose pep talk from an older woman in as many weeks!
I wish I knew more about what I was going to do, he says with a sigh.
I dont want to mess this up.
Daisy and Joey on ‘After the Final Rose’.ABC
Perhaps the Last Chance DatesTM will offer some of that all-important clarity.
Once again, Daisy goes first.
Daisy, whose emotions are toggling between equanimity and panic, could use a good cleanse.
Kelsey and Joey on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
I need him to reassure me and give him that validation, she says.
Unfortunately, todays date activity doesnt allow for much talking.
I definitely want to tell him that I love him, and it hurts.
Kelsey’s dad, Mark, on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
A producer asks her, What about it hurts?
Daisy pauses for a moment before giving her answer: That hes not sure about me.
And hes not done, rose lovers!
Daisy and Kelsey on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you, Joey adds.
And I know that you deserve nothing but the best.
That is a breakup speech, and Daisy knows it.
Jenn Tran is the new Bachelorette.ABC
Joey doesnt seem to realize that he just sent Daisy into a complete spiral.
That night, the Bachelor arrives at Daisys hotel room for one final tete-a-tete.
But first, Daisy wants Joey to know that hes the Best.
(As someone who has watched every season God help me I can confirm she is correct.)
Now for the big reveal:
Again, Joeys response is… muted.
Thats so good to hear, he says.
That means so much.
I feel like somethings a little bit off, she admits.
Kelsey and Joey meet up for their Last Chance DateTM at the hotel spa.
They start with a foot exfoliation treatment.
Im surprised Joey agreed to this, given how self-conscious he is about his feet.
Next, they apply face masks and give each other massages.
(Did production not have enough budget left to pay for professional masseuses?)
That evening, Kelsey welcomes Joey to her hotel room for a last chat.
How is it possible that her hair only gets more glorious with humidity?
Its not like a box that Im trying to check, she says.
Its because its you that Im ready for an engagement, really.
Thats okay, says Joey.
I dont want you to think about that, either.
Easier said than done, bro.
You just make me feel so special, Kelsey says weepily.
I want you to know just how much I love you.
The Bachelor answers by giving her a smooch, and then takes his leave.
At long last, proposal day is here.
And so isthe man who loves nothing more than a TV camera, Neil Lane!
And Daisy, wearing a red strapless dress with a plunging neckline, gazes mournfully into the mirror.
Maybe Im wrong, but today I have to be, like, so strong, she adds.
Love shouldnt feel like it hurts this much.
I know what I need to do.
With that, Daisy strides down the hotel hallway and knocks on someones door.
Is it Joey on the other side?
The way these women clearly love and support each other its making me emotional, yall!
out of the way.
How was your week?
If you dont mind me asking.
Okay, Daisy, now its your turn.
How was your week?
Mine was interesting, she says.
Our date felt a little bit off.
There was something, like, missing between me and Joey, I dont know exactly what it was.
I still [dont] really know if hes going to pick me, she says.
I dont want you to be heartbroken at all…
But then, I dont know, I do love him so much.
Theres only one way to find out, maam.
March yourself up to that Proposal PlatformTM and get some answers!
The way I screamed, rose lovers!
Daisy walks up alone and listens patiently as Joey goes through his brief preamble.
But the thing is…
The Bachelor instantly hangs his head, and he does not deny it.
I know you said you want the best for me, Daisy continues, choking up.
So, Im going to do whats best for me and Im gonna go.
Then Joey offers to walk her out, but Daisy politely declines.
I think its something I should do on my own, she tells him.
HELL YEAH, DAISY!
You are the architect of your own future.
Oh my God,SOMEBODY SEDATE ME DOT GIF!
Damn, that is a Bachelorette intro if I ever saw one.
(More on that later.)
Back on the beach, Joey has collected himself and is back on the Proposal PlatformTM.
Now hes ready to propose to the woman he does want to marry.
Come ON, Team Bachelor!
Are you seriously making Joey do this lame fake-out when Kelsey already knows shes the last woman standing?
Joey, kindly proceed.
But theres nothing difficult about choosing you, he says.
And I cant wait another minute to tell you that I love you.
All rightie, lets do this!
Of course, she says yes.
she wails as they embrace.
With that, Joey gives Kelsey his final rose.
Show us that bling, mama!
Awww, congrats you crazy kids.
Good luck and Godspeed.
Back in the Thunderdome, Palmer is triumphant.
It all worked out!
DID SHE SOMEHOW MANAGE TO GO ON WITH HER LIFE?
(Spoiler alert: Yes.)
Special, says Joey.
They were empowering each other as they should be.
There was so much about that day was special.
Well, lets ask her.
Daisy walks on stage to rapturous applause, and she and Joey share a sweet hug.
Its really great to see you, she tells him.
Im so happy for you.
All I ever wanted was for you to be happy.
There was something about the way Joey looked at Kelsey that night that left her shook.
I was like, Woah!
For the first time I was like, I dont think its me.'
I appreciate your understanding, he says.
I appreciate most of all the amount of respect and love you gave to us, too.
Amen to that, sister!
We stan an emotionally intelligent queen.
The segment ends with Daisy thanking Joey for helping her find her inner light again.
Oh my god, are these two the sweetest exes ever??
Well, lets keep this lovefest going.
Kelsey, get out here and sit down with your fiance!
Looking glam, maam!
Im just so excited for everyone to see how in love we are, she gushes.
Joey, too, is thrilled that he no longer has to hide their relationship.
Its been very hard for me to keep this in, he says.
As were sitting here now celebrating your beautiful engagement, how much is she in your thoughts?
Her dad, Mark, meanwhile, is smiling on her from the audience.
Can we yo get this man onThe Golden BacheloretteASAP?
(Palmer did suggest that wemightsee him soon, so fingers crossed.)
Watching his daughter fall in love with Joey has been a blessing, says Mark.
I couldnt be prouder.
I couldnt be happier.
Joeys parents, Nick and Cathy, look pretty happy in the audience, too.
Theres only one thing left on the agenda, rose lovers: Bring on the next Bachelorette!
As he has all evening, Jesse makes sure the whole thing takesway longerthan it needs to.
I think what everybody wants to know now then is, Whats next for you?
So right now, no, Im not ready, and thats okay.
Welp, I suppose that means Daisy is NOT our next Bachelorette.
Oh, wait, and now Kelseys here, too.
Why are we talking about their day in Tulum again?
Yes, their sister act was incredible, but Palmer, you promised us a Bachelorette announcement!
There are only 15 minutes left in this three-hour ordeal get on with it already!
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THATS HOLY, JUST TELL US ALREADY!
The next Bachelorette is…
Oh… okay.
And shes theBachelorfranchises first-ever Asian lead.
Okay, well, with any luck they’ll cast some funny guys for this Rose Queen.
As for the choice?
Daisy just told us she wasnt ready but its not clear why they didnt pick Maria.
Hmmm… maybe Maria just didnt want to do it?
Still, progress!)
And with that, the credits begin to roll.
Were all rooting for you, Jenn!
Palmer yells over the sound of the screaming audience.
(And did he just sayThe Bacheloretteis not premiering until July?
Thats quite a delay but hey, this recapper is fine with a long break.)
Welp, we made it, rose lovers.
Before you go, kindly tell me how youre feeling.
Do you think Joey and Kelsey will live happily ever after?
Will you be watching Jenns journey to find love?
And is it shot oclock yet?
Let me know your thoughts on Twitter@KristenGBaldwinor on Bluesky at@kristengbaldwin.bsky.social.
