'Bachelor' star Grant Ellis, Juliana Pasquarosa part ways, say they still 'love and respect' each other
Former "Bachelor" star Grant Ellis and Juliana Pasquarosa have ended their relationship.
Ellis took to his Instagram story on Friday and shared a statement, saying that he and Pasquarosa were "simply not the right fit" for a long-term relationship.
"This is one of the harder things I've had to write, but I want to share it honestly," he wrote.
He continued, "Juliana and I have decided to end our relationship. We both gave this our best and poured a lot of love into each other, but after a lot of deep conversations, we've come to the understanding that we're simply not the right fit long term."
Ellis called the pair's relationship "meaningful," writing that "the connection we built on the show was real, and so was the effort we made to continue once the cameras stopped rolling."
He added, "There's no negativity here. No resentment. Just two people who care about each other and want the best for one another moving forward. I'll always be grateful for what we shared and for the growth that came with it."
Ellis ended his message by thanking those who supported them and who "believed in our journey."
"This chapter is closing, but we're both walking away with love and respect in our hearts," he wrote.
Pasquarosa also shared a statement on her Instagram story and highlighted the commitment that comes with marriage.
"After a lot of honest conversations and reflection, we've come to the decision that this chapter of our lives is meant to continue on separate paths," she wrote. "We shared something meaningful, navigating a unique journey side by side, learning, growing, and showing up for each other the best we knew how. And while this isn't the ending we once imagined, it's one filled with mutual respect, care, and hope for what's ahead."
She added that it was a "gift to find someone who sees the world in a way that resonates with you, while also encouraging you to grow."
"I've been grateful to share that experience with Grant," she wrote.
Pasquarosa concluded her message by writing, "We're still cheering each other on, just from different places now. I'm beyond thankful for all the love and support you all have given us."
Ellis and Pasquarosa met on season 29 of "The Bachelor."
In the finale, Ellis, a day trader and former pro basketball player from New Jersey, chose Pasquarosa over fellow finalist Litia Garr and proposed to her.
In an interview with "Good Morning America" following the "After the Final Rose" episode, Ellis and Pasquarosa shared how smitten they were at the time and expressed how "lucky" and "blessed" they were.
"It's a blessing, you know, to go on the show," Ellis said. "You don't know what the outcome is going to be, but I had the best possible outcome."
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