Throughout Joey Graziadei's journey on "The Bachelor," Maria Georgas emerged as a fan favorite, captivating hearts with her charming demeanor. Recently, the fourth-place contestant revealed a bombshell: she had almost been chosen as the next Bachelorette on ABC's hit dating show.
In a candid interview on Alex Cooper's popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Georgas opened up about her decision to decline the opportunity. "It was indeed mine until I made the choice that it wasn't," she clarified, explaining that the responsibility had become overwhelming to the point where she had to step back.
Despite the overwhelming support from her loved ones, Georgas confessed that she wasn't fully embracing the idea of leading the next season of "The Bachelorette." She posed a question to herself: "Why am I not excited about this?" It was a moment of realization for her when she understood that the timing wasn't right. "Guys, with utmost respect, I need to decline. I need to take a step back. I wasn't mentally prepared for this," she admitted.
Georgas emphasized that she didn't want to waste anyone's time, knowing the rigorous process contestants go through to be a part of the show. Her compassion and understanding were evident in her decision.
Earlier in March, during the live finale of season 28's "After the Final Rose," Jenn Tran was announced as the next Bachelorette, marking a significant milestone as the franchise's first Asian American lead. Georgas expressed her admiration for Tran, calling her "the most perfect Bachelorette" and stating that she couldn't think of anyone better suited for the role.
"She was so ready for it, and that was enough for me to say, yeah, it's not my time," Georgas added, showing her grace and maturity in accepting the decision.
Throughout Graziadei's season, Georgas had quickly become a standout, winning the hearts of fans. Although she didn't secure the tennis pro's final rose - he ultimately proposed to Kelsey Anderson during the emotional finale - many members of Bachelor Nation had hoped that Georgas would be the next one to hand out roses with grace and charm.
