The Bachelor: Joey Graziadei And Kelsey Anderson Try To Silence Critics With Their Steamy Ad (Are They Trying Too Hard?)

The Bachelor season 28's Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson have been the targets of a lot of criticism and recently tried to silence their critics with a steamy ad. Joey made his television debut during Charity Lawson's season of The Bachelorette. Long-time Bachelor Nation fans know the franchise regularly recycles contestants, often casting their leads from past shows, and that's what happened with Joey. When he came in second place to Dotun Olubeko, he was devastated, but he pulled himself together and got a second chance at finding love on national television.

The Bachelor season 28 opened with a tuxedo-clad Joey standing outside the mansion, greeting the 32 single women who'd be vying for his heart. Among them was Kelsey, a 25-year-old junior project manager from New Orleans, Louisiana. Joey instantly liked Kelsey, and they spent the season falling in love. There was little surprise when Joey gave his final rose to Kelsey, and the pair got engaged. Since leaving the show, Joey and Kelsey have been the subject of rumors and speculation. They recently filmed a steam ad designed to silence critics, but is the couple trying too hard?

Joey & Kelsey Have Struggled Since Leaving The Show

They Had Financial Problems

Participating in a Bachelor franchise show can prove to be a financial hardship for many contestants and even the leads, who have to spend weeks, if not months, away from their jobs. Before joining the cast of The Bachelor season 28, Joey was a tennis pro, and Kelsey was a junior project manager. After filming was done, the 28-year-old couldn't go back to work full-time, while Kelsey quit her job. To make matters worse, Joey's credit took a hit because he missed a credit card payment while filming. After the show, Joey moved in with Kelsey and her multiple female roommates.

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Things have improved dramatically for Joey and Kelsey since leaving The Bachelor. Though neither of them have returned to their old jobs, they've built new careers as prominent lifestyle influencers. Kelsey currently has 767K followers on Instagram and 566K followers on TikTok, while Joey boasts 889k Instagram followers and 361K followers on TikTok. Their lives have changed since appearing on the show, and their financial situation has turned around.

Joey & Kelsey's Steamy Vitaly Ad

They Protest Too Much

Since Joey and Kelsey became prominent lifestyle influencers, The Bachelor couple has received multiple impressive partnerships from major companies, including even Amazon. Joey and Kelsey recently filmed an ad for Vitality, which was posted to Instagram. Vitality is a company that makes athletic wear for working out. The clip is surprisingly racy, with Joey and Kelsey all over each other.

The whole thing feels like Joey and Kelsey are just trying too hard to look like they're still in love. This comes on the heels of rampant online speculation about the couple's failing relationship. This shoot seemed like it was designed to make it look like Joey and Kelsey are stronger than ever. The great Shakespeare once wrote, "The lady doth protest too much," in reference to someone who was trying too hard to make a point. This seems like a fitting line for Joey and Kelsey's suggestive Vitality ad.

They've Been Growing Apart

Going In Different Directions

These days, Joey's competing on Dancing With The Stars, with Kelsey at his side. They're both living in Los Angeles while Joey is on the show. Though Dancing With The Stars doesn't offer a grand prize, it does pay its celebrity contestants a salary, so it's technically Joey's job. Though Kelsey has been there for the whole experience, there has been speculation about Kelsey being jealous watching Joey dance passionately with his partner, Jenna Johnson.

While Joey strutted his stuff on DWTS, Kelsey recently walked in a fashion show, and The Bachelor season 28 star posted footage of the glamorous event on Instagram. In the clip, she wore a stunning light lilac gown and walked the catwalk with her signature mane of hair flowing about her shoulders. "September was a dream," read Kelsey's caption. "One of the highlights was definitely walking in the Sherri Hill fashion show." Joey and Kelsey are making the most of being in a famous relationship, but it may be leading them to grow apart.

Will Joey & Kelsey Ever Get Married?

They Refuse To Set A Date

Custom Image by César García

Joey and Kesley got engaged at the end of The Bachelor season 28, so it's been over 10 months since he got down on one knee on national television and put a ring on her finger. Maybe they're just taking their time to get to know each other better, but it's also possible they're dragging out their engagement because they're struggling as a couple. They've even talked about the fact that they're already in therapy. Their drawn-out engagement has been a subject of much speculation, and Joey and Kelsey have only added fuel to the fire.

Kelsey and Joey posted an Instagram partnership ad with the convenience store chain Wawa to Instagram. In the clip, fans ask the couple about their wedding date. When Joey looked at Kelsey for an answer, she replied, "definitely within the next two years." Kelsey went on to say that she and Joey would settle on a date and location for their wedding "within the next six months." Another six months means they won't even announce a wedding date until 2025, and the longer they wait, the less likely The Bachelor 28 couple are to get married.

Sources: Vitality/Instagram, Kelsey Anderson/Instagram, Joey Graziadei/Instagram

The Bachelor - Season 28