The Four Shocking Hometowns Of The Bachelor 2025: Locations, Drama, And Who Went Home Early

The highly anticipated Hometowns episode of The Bachelor 2025, featuring lead Grant Ellis, delivered a whirlwind of drama, emotional family introductions, and a stunning surprise elimination. This pivotal week, which aired in late February/early March 2025, saw the charismatic day trader travel across the United States to meet the families of his final four women. The locations themselves—ranging from the bustling energy of a major metropolitan area to the quiet, sentimental charm of a mountain valley—played a significant role in Grant's journey, forcing him to confront the reality of life outside the Bachelor bubble. As of today, December 15, 2025, the full details of these crucial dates have been revealed, offering a fresh look at the final contenders and the monumental decisions that shaped the end of Season 29.

The stakes were incredibly high, as the Hometown Dates are traditionally the moment when the Bachelor sees a future with his potential partner or realizes the relationship simply won't work in the real world. This season’s lineup of destinations—from the East Coast to the Midwest and the Mountain West—provided a diverse and revealing look into the lives of the women vying for Grant's final rose. One contestant's journey ended abruptly in her own city, setting a dramatic tone for the rest of the week.

The Bachelor 2025 Lead: Grant Ellis Biography and Profile

The man at the center of the emotional journey for Season 29 of The Bachelor is Grant Russell Ellis. His profile is one of both athletic achievement and modern financial savvy, making him a unique lead for the franchise.

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• Full Name: Grant Russell Ellis
• Age: 30 years old
• Hometown: Newark, New Jersey
• Occupation: Day Trader
• Previous Career: Former Professional Basketball Player
• Education: Played basketball at both Iona University and Albertus Magnus College.
• Family Backstory: Ellis was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. His mother played a pivotal role in his reality TV journey, as she secretly signed him up for a previous season of The Bachelorette.
• Reality TV History: He was a contestant on the 21st season of The Bachelorette.
• Filming Schedule: Filming for his season began on September 18, 2024.

Grant's background as a former professional athlete who transitioned to a high-stakes financial career as a Day Trader provided a compelling narrative for the season. His search for a partner was framed by his desire for a woman who could integrate into his life, which is rooted in his close-knit family in Newark, New Jersey.

The Four Hometown Dates: Locations, Family Dynamics, and Key Moments

The four women who made it to the coveted Hometown Dates were Juliana, Zoe, Litia Garr, and Dina. The dates were filmed in mid-October 2024, shortly after the cast returned from an international trip to Scotland. Each location offered a distinct view into the contestants' lives, presenting Grant with four very different family dynamics.

1. Newton, Massachusetts: Juliana’s Big Family Cookout

Juliana's hometown date was one of the first to be filmed, taking place in the picturesque city of Newton, Massachusetts.

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• Contestant: Juliana
• Location: Newton, Massachusetts
• Date Vibe: Traditional, warm, and family-focused.
• Key Details: Grant was immediately welcomed into a massive family gathering, described as a backyard cookout. He met Juliana's large immediate and extended family. The sheer size and warmth of the family were highlights of the date, giving Grant a clear picture of the loving, supportive environment Juliana comes from.

The date in Newton provided a sense of stability and tradition, which is often a key factor for Bachelors looking for a long-term partner. Juliana's ability to host a large, happy gathering demonstrated her readiness for a committed, family-oriented future.

2. Chicago, Illinois: The Shocking Mid-Date Elimination

Dina's hometown date in Chicago, Illinois, became the most talked-about moment of the week due to its unexpected and dramatic conclusion.

• Contestant: Dina
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Date Vibe: High-stakes, high-pressure, leading to an emotional confrontation.
• Key Details: Photos from filming confirmed Grant traveled to Chicago to meet Dina’s family. However, in a rare and shocking turn of events, Grant decided to cut ties with Dina during the hometown date itself. This meant Dina was eliminated before the traditional rose ceremony, leaving her family stunned and the final three women set early.

The decision to eliminate a contestant during the Hometown Date is extremely unusual for The Bachelor franchise, highlighting a major red flag or unresolved issue that Grant could not overlook, even after meeting her family in her home city. This move immediately raised the stakes for the remaining contestants.

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3. Star Valley, Wyoming: Meeting the 'Huge Mormon Family'

Litia Garr's date took Grant on a completely different journey, far from the urban centers, to the scenic landscapes of Star Valley, Wyoming.

• Contestant: Litia Garr (Age 32, Venture Capitalist)
• Location: Star Valley, Wyoming (A sentimental location for Litia, though she currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was born in Soda Springs, Idaho)
• Date Vibe: Intimate, sentimental, and culturally specific.
• Key Details: Litia, a Venture Capitalist, invited Grant to Star Valley, a place of deep personal significance, to meet her large family. Grant specifically noted meeting her "huge Mormon family," indicating a significant cultural element to the date. While she didn't grow up there, the location served as a powerful backdrop for her family values and faith.

The Wyoming date was a deep dive into Litia's core values, providing a contrast to the other contestants. The focus on her faith and family environment gave Grant a crucial look at the kind of life he would be entering if he chose her.

4. New York, New York: Zoe’s City Life

The final confirmed hometown date was with Zoe, who hosted Grant in the iconic and fast-paced environment of New York, New York.

• Contestant: Zoe
• Location: New York, New York (The search mentioned New York, NY, which is more specific than just "New York")
• Date Vibe: Metropolitan, energetic, and potentially high-fashion.
• Key Details: While specific details of the date activities are less detailed, filming was confirmed to have taken place in New York. This date represented the most metropolitan of the four, contrasting sharply with Litia's Wyoming date and Juliana's suburban Massachusetts setting. Zoe's NYC life offered Grant a glimpse into a high-energy, sophisticated lifestyle.

The New York date was a test of whether Grant, who is from Newark, New Jersey, could see himself fitting into Zoe's demanding, city-centric world. The date was filmed on October 13th, just two days after Juliana's, completing the whirlwind tour of the final four.

Topical Authority: The Significance of Hometown Locations in The Bachelor

The selection of hometown locations is never arbitrary in The Bachelor universe; they are powerful narrative tools that add immense topical authority to the season's storyline. The locations for Grant Ellis’s season—from the East Coast to the Mountain West—perfectly encapsulated the diverse backgrounds of the women.

The contrast between Juliana's traditional, suburban Newton, Massachusetts upbringing and Zoe’s dynamic New York, New York existence forces the Bachelor to consider not just the woman, but the entire life package. Furthermore, Litia's choice of the sentimental Star Valley, Wyoming, over her current home in Salt Lake City, Utah, emphasized her connection to her family and faith, which are integral to her identity as a Venture Capitalist.

The dramatic elimination in Chicago, Illinois, during Dina's date is a stark reminder that the environment and family approval are critical. Producers use these locations to challenge the lead, exposing him to potential lifestyle clashes and testing the strength of his connection under real-world pressure. This season’s geographical spread—encompassing major cities, suburbs, and a remote, sentimental location—ensured a rich and complex emotional journey for Grant Ellis.

The final three women—Juliana, Litia, and Zoe—emerged from this week not just as romantic interests, but as individuals with distinct lives in different corners of the country. This diversity set the stage for a final few weeks filled with difficult decisions, ultimately determining who received Grant Ellis's final rose in the 2025 season.