The Bachelor‘s three-hour live finale featured a fair share of romance, tears, and surprises for fans of Joey Graziadei’s season — including the fact that fan-favorite contestant Daisy Kent was sent home heartbroken.
After Joey’s remaining two contestants Daisy and Kelsey Anderson went on their final one-on-one dates and met Joey’s family, Daisy started to sense that something was “off” between her and Joey. “If I’m being 100% honest I don’t think it’s me,” Daisy told cameras before going to Kelsey’s room, hearing how validated she felt by him, and deciding to self-eliminate on the proposal podium in a series never-before-seen franchise firsts.
Following the emotional breakup, Daisy joined franchise host Jesse Palmer on stage in front of a live studio audience where she unpacked her post-finale feels and reunited with Joey for the first time since leaving Tulum, Mexico.
“It’s really great to see you. I’m so happy for you and all I ever wanted was for you to be happy. Watching that was emotional because that proposal was so beautiful,” Daisy told Joey.
When asked when she knew that something was off, Daisy said, “I first realized when we were at the last rose ceremony when Rachel left. There was a moment — it was me and Kelsey together and I just saw you two look at each other and I was just like ‘woah…I don’t think it’s me and then I was trying to surpress my feelings and put it aside…”
Daisy took a moment to thank Joey’s family in the audience for being so kind and amazing during their meet-and-greet before recalling the anxiety and insecurities she felt during their final one-on-one date.
“It was really great for me to watch because it was kind of validating in a sense that I knew it,” Daisy said. “Everyone could see my emotions from that day. I don’t have any regrets on how I handled it because I tried to handle the situation the best I could…I was very aware of my words I didn’t want to lead you on in any way.”
“I appreciate your understanding,” Joey told Daisy. “And most of all I appreciate the amount of respect and love for us.”
When asked how hard it was for her to walk away, Daisy said it was “really hard” but that sometimes “the hard thing is the best thing.” Joey said “it meant the world” that Daisy said she was pulling for Joey in their final moment in Tulum, and Daisy told him the experience is something she’ll always look back on and smile.
“I can’t wait to watch you and Kelsey grow, and from the deepest part of my heart I’m so happy for you.”
Curious what else went down during The Bachelor Season 28 finale and After The Final Rose special? Read Decider’s detailed episode recap before the finale is available to stream on Hulu Tuesday, March 26.