There are a few Bachelor Nation stars Joey Graziadei wants to follow in his Dancing With the Stars footsteps.
“I’m going to throw one in the ring for someone I just talked to recently who said that she would love to do it. That’s Joan [Vassos],” Graziadei, 30, exclusively told Us Weekly at Disney’s House of Mouse event in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 5. “I think that she had a year where she put herself out there a ton, and I would love to see her do it.”
Golden Bachelorette star Vassos, 62, previously attended a DWTS live taping to cheer on Graziadei and former Bachelorette Jenn Tran as they competed on season 33. “Loved getting to cheer on my bachelor family, could not be more proud for @jenntran and @joeygraziadei 🫶🌹,” she captioned Instagram pics from the episode in October 2024. “And loved getting to say hi to some new friends I’ve been so lucky to meet because of this golden journey ✨.”
That same month, Vassos told Decider that she would “want to try” her hand at learning ballroom dance on the show. “I really hate saying no to things now. I feel like doing things that scare you at this age in my life is so important otherwise you never grow,” she shared. “So I think I would say yes. But I don’t know if it’ll be offered to me.”
When it comes to the guys of Bachelor Nation, Graziadei told Us he’d love to see one of Katie Thurston’s former Bachelorette contestants join the DWTS family. “Greg Grippo,” he noted. “He’s got some moves, so maybe Greg would be a good one out there because he can shake it a little bit. I feel like he’d do well.”
Grippo, 32, placed as Thurston’s second runner-up on season 17 of The Bachelorette in 2021. Though he didn’t end the ABC reality series engaged, he later found love with former Bachelor contestant Victoria Fuller. The pair dated for nearly two years before they confirmed their split in April 2024.
Grippo’s social media presence has made him a fan favorite among Bachelor Nation fans, as he often posts funny videos of himself and pals Andrew Spencer and Justin Glaze, both of whom also competed on Thurston’s Bachelorette season.
So far, ABC has announced that Robert Irwin and Alix Earle will compete on DWTS when it returns this fall. “I’m so excited for both of them,” Graziadei told Us of the casting choices. “I feel like they had a lot of buzz coming off our season, and to get two big names like this right away, I think they’re running with it. They’re announcing it early, and I’m so excited for the show.”
While Graziadei said he “can’t wait” to cheer on the show’s new batch of contestants, he admitted he will also be feeling some FOMO. “I’ll probably be a little jealous too if I’m being honest,” he shared. “It’s going to be hard to see them have so much fun because I’m going to miss it, but I’m really going to be excited for them.”
Last year, Graziadei made DWTS history by becoming the first former Bachelor lead to win the competition with his partner, Jenna Johnson. He joined the likes of fellow Bachelor Nation DWTS champions Melissa Rycroft, Hannah Brown and Kaitlyn Bristowe.
Until DWTS returns later this year, Graziadei is enjoying spending time with his fiancée, Kelsey Anderson. The pair hung out with DWTS pros Alan Bersten and Emma Slater at Thursday’s House of Mouse event, which celebrated Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.
“We just were at Disneyland recently, and I love Disney-themed things in general,” Graziadei stated. “The Mickey and Friends … it seems like a good vibe, and I’m just excited to be here. I’m sporting my Goofy shirt tonight. He’s my favorite Disney character, so I’m always excited to be here. It is going to be a fun date night.”
Dancing With the Stars returns for season 34 this fall on ABC and Disney+.
