Season 29 of ABC's The Bachelor continued on Monday after last week's season premiere that saw seven of the 25 contestants being sent home.
Grant Ellis, just the second Black male lead in franchise history, tried to get the remaining 18 women interested in his passion: basketball.
The 6-foot-5 31-year-old Ellis played Division I college basketball and played professionally in the Dominican Republic before starting his career as a day trader.
Monday's new episode saw the ladies hitting the hardwood in an effort to woo their prospective husband, but many called foul on Zoe McGrady.
The 27-year-old model and tech engineer was part of the basketball-themed group date when she decided to break the rules and pull Grant aside for some one-on-one time.
The move not only drew the ire of the other 17 women on the show, but many of the fans as well, who are branding her this season's 'villain.'
Grant Ellis, just the second Black male lead in franchise history, tried to get the remaining 18 women interested in his passion: basketball.
Monday's new episode saw the ladies hitting the hardwood in an effort to woo their prospective husband, but many called foul on Zoe McGrady
The day began with Grant bringing out a group of kids, playing basketball together, before he introduced a Slam Dunk Contest.
The ladies took their turns dunking on a lowered rim, but when it was Zoe's turn, she decided to throw everyone for a loop.
'Actually, I'm gonna forfeit my shot and steal Grant for a few minutes,' Zoe said, as she took Grant by the hand and walked out of the gym with him.
They took an elevator upstairs as Zoe explained in confession that the date card said to 'shoot your shot' and she wants to make herself 'known' even on a group date.
The other women clearly weren't pleased, and even some of the kids, with one of the girls saying, 'she should be 'disqualified.'
Grant told Zoe that he feels like they are 'on the same wavelength' mentally and added that he enjoyed the conversation.
They both returned to the court as Zoe apologized saying they 'lost track of time' when host Jesse Palmer returned to inform the ladies they would be taking part in a five-on-five basketball game.
Tensions only grew from there, with the game getting quite physical, with many fans online quick to brand Zoe this season's 'villain.
The day began with Grant bringing out a group of kids, playing basketball together, before he introduced a Slam Dunk Contest
'Actually, I'm gonna forfeit my shot and steal Grant for a few minutes,' Zoe said, as she took Grant by the hand and walked out of the gym with him
They took an elevator upstairs as Zoe explained in confession that the date card said to 'shoot your shot' and she wants to make herself 'known' even on a group date
Grant told Zoe that he feels like they are 'on the same wavelength' mentally and added that he enjoyed the conversation
They both returned to the court as Zoe apologized saying they 'lost track of time' when host Jesse Palmer returned to inform the ladies they would be taking part in a five-on-five basketball game.
@JenniferSusanne tweeted, 'And we have a villain her name is Zoe. #TheBachelor #bachelornation.'
Wesley L. (@realwesleywess) added, 'Now all the ladies are fed up & annoyed by Zoe. I'd be fed up too!'
@JesseHerrera5 said, 'Zoe stealing Grant is not cool. She deserves better. #TheBachelor #BachelorNation.'
@retrodelusions added, 'Zoe coming to steal him helppp. she’s going down in history for being a villain #TheBachelor
Another X user, @t1ffanymariee, added, 'Uh Zoe?' while @retrodelusions said, 'Zoe coming back to steal him girl please. she’s killing me #TheBachelor
@3couches insisted, 'Zoe the producer choice' but others like @kaylajournal defended Zoe, stating, 'I don’t know y'all, Zoe kinda not wrong though. There are no rules to this.'
@asadasimone also defended Zoe, stating, 'i think they’re trying to make zoe out to be a villain when she’s not… YES she’s a bit much but she’s direct and she knows that this is a part of the process. a villain she is not.'
Still, others like @djtino224 said, 'Oh Zoe is getting the villain edit,' while @lisamarieLML added, 'Wow Zoe is cringe, & clearly wanting to be the villain.'
@JenniferSusanne tweeted, 'And we have a villain her name is Zoe. #TheBachelor #bachelornation.'
@JesseHerrera5 said, 'Zoe stealing Grant is not cool. She deserves better. #TheBachelor #BachelorNation'
@retrodelusions added, 'Zoe coming to steal him helppp. she’s going down in history for being a villain #TheBachelor
@3couches insisted, 'Zoe the producer choice' but others like @kaylajournal defended Zoe, stating, 'I don’t know y'all, Zoe kinda not wrong though. There are no rules to this'
@asadasimone also defended Zoe, stating, 'i think they’re trying to make zoe out to be a villain when she’s not… YES she’s a bit much but she’s direct and she knows that this is a part of the process. a villain she is not'
Still, others like @djtino224 said, 'Oh Zoe is getting the villain edit,' while @lisamarieLML added, 'Wow Zoe is cringe, & clearly wanting to be the villain'
At the end of the episode, Zoe did in fact move on, though four other women were sent packing.
Allyshia Gupta, a 29-year-old interior designer from Wesley Chapel, Florida, Ella Del Rosario, a 25-year-old luxury travel host from Los Angeles, Rebekah Garrett, a 31-year-old ICU nurse from Dallas and Vicky Nyamuswa, a 28-year-old nightclub server from Henderson, Nevada, were all eliminated in the second episode.
With just 14 ladies left in the competition, it remains to be seen how many will be eliminated next week.
The Bachelor returns with the third episode of Season 29 on Monday, February 10 at 8 PM ET on ABC.
