NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Charity Lawson's ‘The Bachelorette’ season is coming to an end, and there are numerous good candidates for her last rose. One of them is Joey Graziadei, the Hawaii-based tennis teacher who made a big impact on Charity and managed to keep her attention all season.
Joey initially stood out during Week 2's kissing group date, when the suitors fought for a significant prize: breaking the Bachelor Nation record for longest smooch. Charity invited the boys to tell her about their favorite kisses but Joey took a different approach, detailing his forthcoming kiss with her. Charity was enticed by Joey's beautiful depiction of their future kiss, and they easily broke the previous record, kissing for 4 minutes and 25 seconds. Joey's behavior during the competition pleased former bachelorette Rachel Recchia as well.
'I really do feel safe'
Joey and Charity left for the first date of the July 24 episode. The two were riding to their date in a romantic, horse-drawn carriage. On the way, Joey informed Charity that he couldn't explain why he felt so at ease with her, and that he misses her whenever they're apart. Charity confesses in a confessional that she is at ease with Joey and is eager to take their connection to the next level of hometowns. "I just adore everything about him," she replies, a smile on her face. "With him, I really do feel safe."
Charity then attempted to gauge Joey's thoughts on being in an interracial relationship. She stated that she had dated people who demonstrated ignorance in the past and that she prefers to be with someone who educates themselves. Joey stated that he had never dated a black woman but sees her for "the entirety of who she is." Charity burst into tears as she expressed how that "means a lot."
'Didn’t wait till hometowns or even fantasy suites to ask Joey'
Bachelor Nation fans were impressed by the conversation that took place. One person tweeted, "Charity addressing interracial relationships in the current climate I KNOW THATS RIGHT." Another person chimed in, "I absolutely LOVE that charity is having the conversation with joey about interracial relationships, a real queen handling these sometimes difficult conversations like an absolute boss." One user also noted, "This convo >>>> like props to Charity for vocalizing the challenges of being in an interracial relationship and what she needs as a Black women being in one with Joey." A fourth user wrote, "This conversation about interracial relationships is phenomenal and is the type of real talk this show needs. It’s not all Nancy Meyer cliches. It’s real life."
Other fans echoed this line of thought, with a fifth one saying, "I’m glad Charity didn’t wait till hometowns or even fantasy suites to ask Joey about navigating interracial relationships." One excited fan simply wrote, "FINALLY A QUESTION ABOUT INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIPS." Another person tweeted, "That was BEAUTIFUL Charity! The world is still a very mean and ugly place in some respects. So glad that you we’re transparent and had this needed conversation about interracial relationships." One person further wrote, "Ngl I zoned out until she asked how he feels about being in an interracial relationship and now I am LISTENING. Charity is bringing the GOOD questions this season."
'The Bachelorette' Season 20 returns with new episodes on ABC on Mondays at 8 pm ET.
