‘The Bachelor’ Host Jesse Palmer Teases New Season ‘Starts with a Bang’ (Exclusive)

The Bachelor host Jesse Palmer is spilling details about the upcoming Grant Ellis season premiere later this month. In an exclusive interview with Parade.com, Palmer, who was the Season 5 Bachelor way back in 2004, said that fans can expect “a really emotional” season 29 for Ellis, 31.

The handsome day trader was one of Jenn Tran’s suitors on last year’s The Bachelorette and then was chosen as 2025’s Bachelor. Ellis’ season debuts on ABC Monday, Jan. 27, with Palmer returning as host.

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Palmer told Parade, “Grant’s a really sweet guy and I think people got to know a lot about him during Jenn’s season of The Bachelorette. But obviously, a lot more will be revealed on his season. I’m a huge fan of Grant. He’s very deserving of this opportunity. He’s a guy that’s been successful in anything he’s done professionally in his life. I think the one big thing that’s been missing for him is love.”

Palmer, 46, who replaced former Bachelor host Chris Harrison in 2021, also revealed, “The destinations we traveled to are as romantic as anywhere we’ve been since I’ve been hosting the franchise.”

He also noted, “I’ve just been going back and watching some of the first episodes that have been edited and put together, and it’s very, very emotional. There are going to be some surprises along the road for sure. This isn’t one of those seasons where there’s going to be a few surprises early and then it’s sort of smooth sailing all the way. I think people will be on the edge of their seats each and every single week.”

Related: Everything We Know About The Bachelor Grant Ellis and Season 29

In addition to his Bachelor duties, former football player Palmer, a frequent ESPN commentator, stars in a new commercial that will air during the Notre Dame and Ohio State College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game this Monday, Jan. 20. The ad will feature Palmer promoting the Great Clips hair salon and its “We’re All In” $9.99 haircut coupon tied to the CFP.

Palmer got a Great Clips cut himself, and fans will see his great hair on The Bachelor's debut night, which features the ladies' exciting introductions.

Palmer teased about Ellis’ first episode, “A lot of nervous energy is what I remember on Grant’s first night. Normally, that’s a theme. I just think Grant was really tapping back into his experience on Jenn’s season and remembering how he felt when he got out of the limo. The women did an unbelievable job. They were creative, clever, witty, funny. They all looked absolutely beautiful. Very memorable.”

The host also said, as preview clips have shown, that the women will be arguing. “There are some very strong opinions in the house,” he laughed. “They’re not afraid to voice those set opinions pretty early on. I think people can get ready for that.

“It starts with a bang,” he said.

Related: The Ladies Are Here! Meet New Bachelor Star Grant Ellis’ 25 Stunning Contestants

Palmer didn’t find his own wife through The Bachelor process. But in 2020, he got married to model/photographer Emely Fardo. They have a daughter Ella, who just turned one year old.

“Ella is amazing. Her personality is coming out more and more every day. She’s such a happy baby. She’s clever and she’s funny and she likes to have fun and she has tremendous energy. Just like her dad, she loves food,” Palmer, who has hosted several Food Network shows, chuckled. “I tell all my friends who have kids older than Ella, I just love this stage in her life. My friends say, 'Just wait. It gets better.' I don’t want her to walk yet! I don’t want her to talk yet! I just want her to stay in this bubble and time frame. They say, 'Trust me, it’s just going to get better. That’s what I hope for.'”

Palmer said of his wife, “This year, for Emely and me, having Ella has been magical.”

He laughed, “I thought it was going to be terrible at changing diapers, and as it turns out, I’m actually not half bad. What I found out, though, was I was not a good swaddler. That phase is over, thankfully. But the nurses at the hospital and so many people around the world make swaddling look a lot easier than what it really is. That’s where I failed miserably.”

Palmer told Parade that he, Emely, and baby Ella traveled together to all the romantic locales fans will see on Ellis’ upcoming Bachelor season.

Related: 'Bachelor' Alum Nick Viall Unveils Questionable Health Update

“It was really special,” he said. “It’s funny, with my wife, when we find out at the start of the year where we’re going to be traveling, Emely is very selective about the places where she wants to make the effort to come. Other places she’ll just pass on. Emely was really excited about where we were going [with Ellis]. So when you’re traveling with a baby less than a year old, it adds a whole different stress level. But it was well worth it. Emely is amazing with Ella. Ella travels so well. I don’t know if Ella’s ever going to remember how beautiful these places were, but she was there! We have the evidence to prove it.”

Palmer told Parade that he narrowly averted being caught up in the wildfire disaster that destroyed much of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, California.

“I actually lived in the Palisades last year, for about six months,” Palmer sighed. “The entire neighborhood is gone. I’ve been texting friends that lived in the neighborhood and they said everything’s just destroyed. So sad.”

On a happy note, Palmer reflected on how his original Bachelor stardom gave him a new career after playing football for such teams as the New York Giants: “It’s opened up a lot of windows that’s for sure. I remember 20 years ago when I decided to do it, a lot of people looked at me like I was crazy. Reality TV was new, and certainly, the dating genre of television was new as well. There was so much unknown going down that path, especially when I was playing professional football at the time.

"I’m so thankful that my parents were so encouraging for me to do it. I’ve always been someone that says yes to things, that takes chances, that is always glass half full. I can laugh at myself. I don’t take myself too seriously. One of the greatest things I ever did was accept that role as The Bachelor. Because little did I know at the time that it will be a full circle moment 20 years later, to host the franchise. These last four years have just been tremendous.”

Related: 'DWTS' Partners Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Reveal Their New Relationship