Disney/John Fleenor
- Joey Graziadei stars on season 28 of "The Bachelor."
- The Pennsylvania native is a tennis pro who now lives in Hawaii.
- Here's what to know about him, from his college to his family life.
During the emotional season 20 finale of "The Bachelorette," star Charity Lawson accepted a proposal from Dotun Olubeko after breaking things off with her runner-up, Joey Graziadei.
While Lawson was initially conflicted when trying to choose between Olubeko and Graziadei, she ultimately decided to pursue an engagement with Olubeko. The breakup between Lawson and Graziadei was heartbreaking, but the tennis pro will get a second chance at finding true love on reality TV starring on the next season of "The Bachelor."
Here's everything you need to know about the new Bachelor lead.
Joey Graziadei is a 28-year-old tennis pro from Pennsylvania who now lives in Hawaii
According to his "Bachelorette" bio on ABC's website, Graziadei is "outgoing, friendly and loyal," and loves golf, country music, and star-gazing.
A release from ABC following the news of his casting as the Bachelor delved even deeper into Graziadei's personality and what he's looking for in a wife.
"As the Bachelor, Graziadei is looking for a life partner who is outgoing, caring, and shares his love for adventure and exploring the outdoors," the release read in part. "He loves hiking, surfing and ending his days watching the sunset but knows he has much more love to give, and the only thing missing is someone with whom to share his life."
Originally from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, the 28-year-old now lives in Lawai, Hawaii, per his ABC bio. When replying to a comment on Instagram, Graziadei explained why his favorite Hawaiian island is Kauai.
"Every island has its own flavor. I'm bias and think Kauai is the best island! It's more low key and is beautiful but it depends on the person," he wrote.
He went to college at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Graziadei attended Spring-Ford High School where he launched his tennis career in earnest. According to a 2012 Patch.com feature on the then high school junior, Graziadei started playing tennis when he was 13 and was inspired by his tennis-pro uncle.
After Spring-Ford, Graziadei went to college at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in communication and media studies before graduating in 2017. According to a LinkedIn profile appearing to belong to the reality star, he was in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and played Division II tennis while in school.
A website for West Chester University's athletics department states that Joey was 5'11 and 170 lbs when he played tennis in the 2016-2017 season.
His tennis career continued after college and now he's a coach
According to Tennis Recruiting, Graziadei last ranked at No. 1714 in 2012, when he was in high school.
His tennis stats from his college career aren't visible on West Chester University's athletics site. But Graziadei has apparently received either a professional or elite designation from the United States Professional Tennis Association, according to a website for one of his former tennis jobs at an athletic club.
Per his LinkedIn, Graziadei currently works as a "lifestyle and experience ambassador" for the Kukuiula Resort in Koloa, Hawaii. As ambassador, Graziadei's duties apparently involve encouraging "engagement with the various activities available within the Club," including "ocean activities, tennis, pickleball, golf, hiking," and more.
Graziadei's Instagram is filled with photos and videos from his time spent golfing, swimming, and playing tennis.
