Another season of “The Bachelor” is here, and all anyone can talk about is llamas, PowerPoint presentations, and how many lips Grant kissed on night one. Though leads in the past have most often limited their make-out sessions on the first night (it’s common for them to only kiss the person they give their first impression rose to), Grant went all in last night. And to be honest, I didn’t hate it.
For those who weren’t counting, Grant kissed a total of five women last night. And though this may seem like a lot in “The Bachelor” universe, let’s remember that night one is essentially filled with a ton of first dates. When you compare the experience to the world outside of reality television, kissing on a first date is totally normal and, in fact, typically encouraged if the date goes well.
“There is nothing wrong with sharing a kiss on the first date if you feel comfortable and inclined to do so,” dating expert Maria Sullivan previously told PS. “It is actually a great way to tell if there is a ‘spark’ between you and your potential partner.”
Grant was simply doing what we all do when we’re on a first date: exploring chemistry. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how great the flirting is – or how compatible your life goals are – if the kiss ultimately ends up feeling off. Someone plunging their tongue in your mouth is a red flag you unfortunately might not be able to ignore.
Grant was simply doing what we all do when we’re on a first date: exploring chemistry.
If you ask me, Grant was just being efficient with his time. Why waste time pretending to build a connection with someone when a kiss can confirm whether or not it’s worth pursuing? On a show like “The Bachelor,” where time is extremely limited, this kind of clarity early on is important.
Though Grant’s approach might feel bold (and maybe unhygienic), I respect it. Like podcast host Natalie Joy said on the Jan. 28 episode of The Viall Files, “I don’t know if I’ve seen the Bachelor make out with this many people the first night, but I was here for it,” she said. “Test the waters!” I’d have to agree.
It’s the Bachelor’s main focus to narrow down 25 women to just one in the span of eight weeks – all while balancing group dates, cocktail parties, and one-on-one conversations. Time is Grant’s most precious commodity, so kissing is one of the quickest ways to gauge connection. At the end of the day, it’s my belief that physical intimacy is just as important as an emotional connection.
According to what he said in the season premiere, Grant is physically and emotionally ready to settle down. And though, based on the trailer for the season, it looks like he had a tough time deciding who to propose to in the final episode, I’m confident kissing his contestants this early on helped him narrow down his decision along the way.
Taylor Andrews (she/her) is the balance editor at PS, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With seven years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.
