The Women Tell All special is a cornerstone of The Bachelor franchise, uniting eliminated contestants for an emotional, dramatic, and often revealing reunion. This season, with Grant Ellis as the Bachelor, the stakes were higher than ever. Hosted by the charismatic Jesse Palmer on March 10, the episode brought together the women Grant didn’t choose, offering them a chance to reflect on their journey, confront unresolved tensions, and spill some unexpected tea. From lighthearted banter to jaw-dropping hometown revelations, the Women Tell All delivered everything fans crave—drama, emotion, and a touch of closure. Whether you’re a die-hard Bachelor fan or just tuning in, this recap dives deep into the standout moments, unpacking the confrontations and surprises that have everyone talking. Let’s break it down.
Setting the Stage: A Night of Revelations
The Women Tell All special is more than just a recap—it’s a rollercoaster of emotions where ex-contestants get to hash things out with the Bachelor and each other. This season’s episode, airing on ABC, showcased Grant Ellis, a 31-year-old day trader, facing his former flames. Jesse Palmer, the beloved host at 46, guided the night with his signature charm, ensuring every moment was packed with intensity. From custom outfits to shocking confessions, the stage was set for an unforgettable evening.
What makes this episode so compelling? It’s the mix of personalities—each woman brought her own story, regrets, and unresolved feelings to the table. Whether it was Zoe stealing Grant’s attention or Dina’s bombshell about her hometown date, the night was a whirlwind of revelations that kept viewers glued to their screens. Let’s dive into the key moments that defined this Women Tell All special.
Lighthearted Beginnings: Carolina’s Grand Entrance and Basketball Drama
The episode kicked off with a burst of energy as Carolina, a 28-year-old public relations producer, strutted onto the stage. Her custom outfit—a dress emblazoned with her most memorable quotes from the season—stole the spotlight. The crowd erupted in cheers as she twirled, showcasing her bold personality and setting a playful tone. It was a reminder of why Carolina had been a fan favorite: her wit and unapologetic flair shone through from day one.
The mood stayed light as the women reminisced about the basketball group date, an early highlight of the season. This was when Zoe, a 27-year-old finalist, pulled Grant aside for some one-on-one time—an hour-long absence that didn’t sit well with the others. Beverly, ever the observer, pointed out, “She was gone for an hour!” The frustration was palpable, and it sparked some early rivalries. Meanwhile, Sarafiena, a 29-year-old associate media director, reflected on a regretful moment from that day. She’d made a snarky comment about Zoe’s dress length, which she now called “quite possibly the worst thing I’ve ever said.” Showing growth, Sarafiena revealed she’d apologized to Zoe off-camera, adding, “We have to give her some grace.” It was a refreshing moment of accountability amidst the chaos.
These early scenes set the stage for what was to come: a mix of humor, nostalgia, and the first hints of tension. The basketball date wasn’t just a fun outing—it was a catalyst for the dynamics that would unfold throughout the season.
Tensions Simmer: Rose and Carolina’s Misunderstanding
As the night progressed, the tone shifted from playful to serious. Jesse turned the conversation to a brewing conflict between Rose, a 27-year-old registered nurse, and Carolina. The issue stemmed from a group date where Grant danced with Carolina on stage—an innocent moment that spiraled into drama. Rose claimed that during a private chat, Carolina seemed upset about something Grant had said while they danced, implying he was thinking of someone else (hint: Rose). “We were laughing and giggling,” Rose insisted. “There was no part of me that thought she was upset about what I had told her.”
Carolina, however, saw it differently. She brushed off Rose’s interpretation and refused to dive into it without Grant present, saying she’d wait until he joined them on stage. Later, in the hot seat, Carolina dropped a pointed remark: “I don’t believe that Rose wasn’t just pulling that out of thin air.” The accusation hung heavy—was Rose exaggerating, or had Carolina misread the situation? The tension between them was electric, a classic Bachelor standoff that left viewers eager for resolution.
This moment highlighted the complexities of communication in the high-pressure Bachelor bubble. Misunderstandings like this one fueled much of the season’s drama, and the Women Tell All was the perfect stage to unpack it.
Dina’s Hometown Bombshell: A Shocking Reveal
The night’s biggest bombshell came courtesy of Dina, a 31-year-old attorney who’d reached the hometown date phase with Grant. As she took center stage, Dina opened up about a decision that may have sealed her fate. Fans had assumed her family opted out of the hometown visit, but Dina revealed the truth: “It was ultimately my decision to not have my family be a part of it.”
Her reasoning? A divided family. “I have a really big family—half of it were okay with it, and the other half, mostly my brothers, were, ‘This is not okay. This is so fast. She’s not going to be able to have a guy who’s been dating 25 girls be faithful to her.’ They didn’t trust the process,” she explained. Faced with this conflict, Dina chose to sidestep the drama. Instead of introducing Grant to her skeptical relatives, she arranged for him to meet her friends at a pumpkin patch in Chicago. “I’m not going to have my family meet Grant and the whole time I’m having to convince them of the process when I don’t know that I was convinced myself,” she admitted.
Looking back, Dina expressed regret. “I do regret it a little bit,” she confessed to Jesse. The choice had weighed on her, especially after seeing Grant’s reaction in his confessional interviews. When Grant joined her on stage, Dina didn’t hold back. “I felt a little shocked by the way you spoke about not meeting my family,” she told him, her voice tinged with hurt. She even apologized if she’d made him feel unable to discuss it openly.
Grant’s response was reassuring yet firm. “You’re amazing and wonderful, and your family not being there was not the reason,” he said. “It was just things that I was looking for, just what was best for me.” He softened the blow by adding, “If we were to end up at the end, there’s time to meet the family.” The exchange was heartfelt, offering Dina some closure but leaving lingering questions about what might have been.
This revelation was a game-changer. Hometown dates are a make-or-break moment in The Bachelor, and Dina’s choice to exclude her family added a layer of complexity to her elimination. It’s no wonder this moment dominated headlines—it was raw, real, and utterly unexpected.
Carolina’s Emotional Reckoning: Feeling Blindsided
Carolina’s time in the hot seat was a rollercoaster of emotion. She’d been a strong contender, but her elimination left her reeling. Addressing Jesse, she opened up about feeling blindsided, especially after hearing Grant tell Dina he’d “clocked” something negative about her. “The worst part of it all is hearing him tell Dina he had ‘clocked’ it,” she said. “In what time between my conversation with him and his conversation with Dina had he clocked it?” Her confusion was palpable—she wanted answers and accountability from Grant.
When Grant took the stage, Carolina pressed him on it. He pointed to a group date in Scotland, where he’d noticed her demeanor shift. “If there’s something there that is negative, that’s what I noticed,” he explained. Carolina didn’t deny struggling during that date. “I was really bummed,” she admitted. “It was very hard for me to live in an environment where I felt so hated.” The confession laid bare her vulnerability—she’d felt isolated in the house, a sentiment that shaped her experience.
Not everyone agreed with her perspective. Alli Jo, a 30-year-old boxing trainer, chimed in with a rebuttal. “From day one, Carolina kept to herself,” she said. “She didn’t make an effort to connect with us, and that made it hard for us to connect with her.” The comment suggested that Carolina’s isolation might have been self-imposed, adding nuance to the narrative. Was it the environment, or her own walls, that led to her struggles? The debate underscored the clashing dynamics among the women, a hallmark of this season.
Carolina’s segment was a raw look at the emotional toll of The Bachelor. Her confrontation with Grant didn’t fully resolve her questions, but it gave her a voice—a chance to process the whirlwind of her elimination.
The Magic Mirror: Clearing Up the Dance Drama
The night wrapped with a dramatic flourish, courtesy of Jesse’s “magic mirror.” To settle the Rose-Carolina misunderstanding, he replayed a key conversation between Grant and Rose. In the flashback, Grant told Rose, “I’m very interested in you. Even today, you know, the whole dancing thing on stage and everything, I was thinking about you. I don’t want you to feel like I’m not paying attention because I am.” The footage was a bombshell, confirming Rose’s account and reigniting the debate.
On stage, Grant owned up to the confusion. “As far as referring to dancing with Carolina and thinking about you, that’s where we strayed,” he said. “But, you know, bad communication on my part.” Rose met him halfway, admitting, “Misinterpretation on my part.” The exchange was a rare moment of mutual accountability—both acknowledged their roles in the mix-up, bringing a sense of closure to the saga.
This “magic mirror” moment was pure Bachelor gold. It tied up a loose end with cinematic flair, giving fans the resolution they’d been craving while showcasing Grant’s honesty and Rose’s grace under pressure.
Wrapping Up: A Season of Highs and Lows
The Women Tell All special was a microcosm of Grant Ellis’ season—full of laughter, tears, and unexpected twists. Carolina’s bold entrance set a lively tone, while Dina’s hometown revelation dropped jaws. Tensions between Rose and Carolina, paired with heartfelt confrontations with Grant, kept the drama alive. Each woman brought her truth to the stage, from Sarafiena’s apology to Alli Jo’s counterpoint, painting a vivid picture of their shared journey.
As the episode closed, some found clarity—Rose and Grant mended their miscommunication, while Dina gained reassurance. Others, like Carolina, left with lingering questions, their emotions still raw. With the finale looming, this special set the stage for what’s to come. Who will Grant choose? What other surprises await? One thing’s certain: this season has been anything but predictable.
Catch The Bachelor Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC to see how it all unfolds. What did you think of the Women Tell All? Share your thoughts below!
