The Bachelor Season 29: I Think Grant Ellis Made A Big Mistake Sending Dina Lupanco Home (She Was Perfect For Him)

The Bachelor season 29 is down to the final three women, but I think Grant Ellis made a terrible mistake by sending Dina Lupanco home. Grant, a 31-year-old day trader and former basketball player from New Jersey made his Bachelor Nation debut on The Bachelorette season 21. Though Jenn Tran liked Grant enough to keep him around for a long time, she sent him packing the week before hometown dates. Grant was disappointed by the elimination, but it wasn't long before he became a lead himself.

Grant was cast as the franchise's next male lead, and he kicked off The Bachelor season 29 by welcoming 25 single women. Among the women was Dina, a 32-year-old lawyer from Chicago, Illinois. Grant was instantly attracted to the strong, intelligent Dina and came to trust her judgment. Dina seemed like she could win Grant's final rose and his heart. After hometown dates, Grant decided to send Dina home, and I think he may have made a big mistake. Dina was his perfect match, and he may regret his choice.

Dina Was An Early Front-Runner

He Trusted Her Judgment

Dina put her career first her whole life and was finally ready to switch her focus to finding love. Grant liked the attractive blonde from the moment she stepped out of the limousine on night one. He quickly appreciated her intelligence and trusted her judgment, even taking her advice on some of the other women on The Bachelor season 29. Throughout the season, Dina and Grant seemed solid, and she was one of the favorites to win the whole thing. Everything changed after Dina's hometown visit.

Dina's Hometown Visit Was A Fail

Family Values

The Bachelor Season 29 Contestant Dina Lupancu Promotional Photo

Soon after meeting during The Bachelor season 29, Dina and Grant realized they shared family values. Grant always made it clear he was a family man and wanted to start his own family. Dina comes from a large, close-knit family, so I thought she was his perfect match. When Grant traveled to Chicago for Dina's hometown date, he was excited about meeting Dina's parents and her ten siblings, but he was disappointed. Dina had to tell him that though he'd get to meet her friends, he wouldn't be meeting anyone from her family during this visit to Chicago.

a montage of Gerry Turner from the golden bachelor in side by side images

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Though Grant had a lovely time meeting Dina's friends on The Bachelor season 29, he was disappointed he couldn't meet her family. After her elimination, Dina was interviewed by Paradeand revealed the real reason her parents refused to participate in her hometown date. She explained her father, a Pentecostal minister, was initially supportive. "My dad was actually for it," Dina said. "He thought that it was an interesting experiment; it intrigued him." His feelings changed when he found out the show traditionally ends with an engagement.

"My mom didn’t want to be on TV."

Dina's father didn't like the idea of his daughter getting engaged to a stranger, but her mother had an entirely different reason for not wanting to appear on the show. According to Dina, her mother didn't want to appear on television. I can understand her position; not all people are comfortable sharing their personal lives on television, and that includes Dina's old-fashioned mother. "My mom didn’t want to be on TV. That was a big one for her," said Dina, adding, "She didn’t want to expose herself in that way."

Grant's Remaining Women

Zoe, Litia & Juliana

side by side image of The Bachelor's Rose Somb, Grant Ellis, and Carolina Quixano looking upset or worried

Grant eliminated Dina during The Bachelor29's hometown dates episode. His remaining women are 27-year-old model and engineer Zoe McGrady, 31-year-old venture capitalist Litia Garr, and 28-year-old client service associate Juliana Pasquarosa. All three women introduced Grant to their family, which may have been the biggest difference for him. It's too bad because Grant would have eventually met her family. I think, over time, he may come to kick himself for the mistake.

Grant Ellis	31 years old	Day Trader
Zoe McGrady	27 years old	Model
Litia Garr	31 years old	Venture capitalist
Juliana Pasquarosa	28 years old	Client service associate