‘Bachelor’ Week 3: Did Duke graduate Zoe get a rose from Grant after more drama?
Another Monday, another episode of “The Bachelor” with a Duke University graduate already running into more drama on ABC’s hit reality show.
Zoe McGrady, a 27-year-old tech engineer and model, is among the many women from around the world hoping to find love with Grant Ellis.
As another Bachelor Nation star with ties to the Tar Heel state, we’ve been following along and recapping her journey — which has already been a juicy one.
After an early “villain” moment during last week’s episode, Zoe’s time with the rest of the girls was just as intense this week too.
If you didn’t catch the latest episode, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a recap of what happened.
And here is your requisite disclaimer: Spoilers ahead.
‘Bachelor’ school of finance
Just like last week’s episode, Grant and the girls started out the week with another group date before his one-on-one’s.
Hosted by “Shark Tank” star Daniel Lubetzky and comedian Hannah Berner, Zoe and most of the contestants took part in a finance-focused date with a “girl math” test.
But Zoe expressed that she was feeling insecure about the format of the date and her lack of time with Grant.
“I like rules and I like clear-cut answers, and it seemed like today, it was more of like, maybe try to be funny or witty,” Zoe said. “It was a weird game today because it wasn’t really finance.”
While many of the girls had fun giggling with Grant as a group with their answers to get “Grant bucks,” Zoe spoke up about uncomfortable she felt that night.
“I felt like I was very much not in my element in like what we were doing,” Zoe said to the girls before breaking down in tears. “He was not looking at me at all and then I didn’t get to talk to him and, just, like, I don’t know. I was just drowning. Like everyone was so naturally so connected and like bubbly.”
Some of the women, however, were confused — and bothered — by how upset Zoe was, given her behavior on the previous week’s episode when she dominated her time with Grant on a group date.
“As I see everyone talking to Zoe, I’m just like, ‘Are we going to do this again?’ It’s really annoying,” Alli Jo said to producers. “It’s like she wants this journey to be about her, but this is ‘The Bachelor.’ Not the Zoe show, so she’d better not ruin the rest of the night.”
Things got even more heated after Zoe overheard some of the girls talking about her, specifically when Sarafiena said she was wearing the “shortest dress she’d ever seen in her life.”
“I wasn’t asking for a comment on my dress and I wasn’t even talking to her...I’m at a point in my life where I don’t have to be around mean girls,” Zoe told producers.
“I’m not trying to stir the pot or start drama or point fingers but I don’t think it’s fair to me while I’m also trying to see if this could be the love of my life. Grant deserves to know what’s going on. I’m not going to let him be duped by people who are being fake.”
Though she didn’t name anyone in particular, she didn’t hold back in telling Grant privately that girls were throwing jabs at her.
After Grant gave the group date rose to Parisa, he spoke to everyone about being kind instead of “belittling” each other.
Once Grant left the room and many of the girls tried to get to the bottom of the problem, it wasn’t long before Zoe was asked if she had said anything to Grant.
Her response? “I am allowed to chat whatever I want to chat.”
With the tension still at a high, she later broke down again about the situation.
“You guys did exactly what I expected you to do. Exactly every one of you” she told the group. “There’s no regrouping. Everyone is so mean...You’re not nice and you’re not kind.”
Surprise prom date
Despite the group date drama, Zoe’s mood turned around later in the week once she and the girls were surprised with a prom alongside some “Golden Bachelorette” fan-favorites. She even got to have a slow dance with Grant during a moment alone.
So, did Zoe get a rose?
Though there were a lot of highs and lows, Zoe got the first rose at the rose ceremony.
Who got eliminated during the rose ceremony?
Of the 14 women who started out on Week 3, here is who did not receive a rose and went home:
Chloie
Bailey
Alli Jo
Before what was supposed to be her one-on-one date, Beverly also left after being sick and the women were told she would not be returning to the mansion.
Who is Zoe on ‘The Bachelor’?
Zoe, a model and tech engineer, currently lives in New York City, but graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering.
“Zoe isn’t afraid to go after what she wants, and what she wants now is to find her Prince Charming,” her contestant bio states.
“When she’s not working, she likes to adventure outdoors with activities like boating, jet skiing, surfing and ice skating. Zoe loves cooking fancy dinners for her partner when she’s in love, so hopefully Grant’s ready to be surprised with tasty tokens of her affection. She wants to meet a man with transparency who is supportive and as committed as she is.”
The 27-year-old was also the first female wrestler to join her high school wrestling team.
Fun facts about Zoe: She “can’t and won’t live without tacos” and nothing makes her happier than puppies and babies.
What happened on previous episodes of ‘The Bachelor’?
How to watch ‘The Bachelor’
You can tune in and watch “The Bachelor” every Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC and the next day on Hulu.
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 9:53 PM with the headline "‘Bachelor’ Week 3: Did Duke graduate Zoe get a rose from Grant after more drama?."
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