IN CONVERSATION WITH KELSEY ANDERSON
interview by JANA LETONJA
Kelsey Anderson first captured audiences’ attention on season 28 of The Bachelor, where her relationship with Joey Graziadei led to one of the franchise’s most talked-about engagements. Since then, she has transformed her reality TV momentum into a rapidly growing digital presence, building a community of more than 1.8 million followers across platforms through lifestyle, fashion, and relationship-focused content. As she continues to expand her influence through major partnerships and a developing fashion identity, Kelsey is carving out a space for herself as a creator with authenticity, style, and a voice that strongly resonates with a new generation online.
Life has changed dramatically since The Bachelor. What have these past years been like for you?
My life has definitely changed so much since The Bachelor. Before the show, I was living in Louisiana and working in corporate America, and now my life looks completely different. These past few years have brought me so many opportunities, experiences, and people I never could have imagined. I feel incredibly lucky for where life has led me, and I’m really grateful for everything that’s come from taking that leap and going on the show.
Did you expect such a massive response from audiences after the show aired?
I didn’t expect it at all. Honestly, I didn’t even know if I’d be on the show for very long, so seeing the response to Joey’s season and how much people connected with it was pretty surreal. But knowing Joey the way I do now, it’s also not that surprising. He’s such a genuine person, and I think people really felt that watching him.
How has your relationship with Joey evolved since the finale?
We always joke that we started dating in reverse. On the show, we learned so many of the big things about each other really quickly from our values, our families, and what we wanted for the future. Since then, it’s been so much fun getting to learn all the little things about each other and just experience everyday life together. I feel like our relationship has continued to grow and evolve as we’ve gotten to know each other on a deeper, more normal level.
What has been the biggest adjustment to living so much of your life publicly?
Honestly, I feel like I have adjusted well. I don’t feel like I live my entire life publicly. I’m pretty intentional about keeping a lot of things private, and I’ve never felt like I need to share every part of my life just because I have a platform. I love sharing certain moments and connecting with people online, but I also really value having parts of my life that are just for me and the people I love.
You’ve built a community of more than 1.8 million followers. How do you balance authenticity with the pressures of social media?
I try not to put too much pressure on social media. Most of the time, I just post when I have a funny thought or an idea that feels like me. I think that’s probably why people connect with my content, because so much of it isn’t overly planned or curated. I try to keep it fun and share things that I would genuinely want to post, rather than overthinking what I think people want to see.
Your fashion presence has really grown recently. How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe my personal style as constantly evolving. I really love fashion and using it as a way to be creative and express myself, but I think I am still learning it myself. For me, getting dressed is about whatever makes me feel confident that day.
Are there specific designers, trends, or eras that inspire your fashion choices?
I pull inspiration from so many different places. I love looking back at different eras, especially the 90s and early 2000s, and finding ways to make those styles feel current. I also get a lot of inspiration from vintage fashion, runway looks, and honestly just seeing how people put unexpected pieces together. I don’t really follow one specific trend or designer. I’m more drawn to pieces that feel interesting, feminine, and a little playful.
How intentional are you about the brands and projects you choose to work with?
I try to be really intentional about the brands and projects I take on. I never want my platform to feel like I’m constantly trying to sell something, so I really like working with brands that I already use, genuinely love, or that feel like a natural fit for me. I also want the projects I say yes to to feel exciting and give me room to be creative, because I think people can tell when something feels authentic versus forced.
How do you protect your mental health while navigating online attention and commentary?
I think I’ve gotten pretty good at separating social media from real life. I’m a pretty confident woman, so I try not to put too much weight on what strangers online think about me. I also use humor a lot as a way to deal with criticism, like sometimes you just have to laugh at the things people say and not take it all too seriously. Of course, things can still get to me sometimes, but I know who I am and I have people in my real life who know and love me, and those are the opinions that matter most
What misconceptions do people have about reality TV contestants that you’d like to change?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that you completely know someone based on what you see on a reality show. You’re watching a very small, edited portion of a much bigger experience, and everyone is a lot more layered than what can fit into an episode. I’m grateful for my experience, but being on reality TV is just one chapter of who I am, it doesn't define me.
Are there creative areas you’d love to explore further?
Absolutely. One of the things I love most about living in LA is being surrounded by so many creative people and different industries. It’s opened my eyes to so many things I’d love to explore, whether that’s fashion, hosting, acting, creating my own projects, or something I haven’t even discovered yet. Being in such a creative environment has made me want to keep trying new things and see where they take me.
What’s next for you that fans and followers should be excited about?
Wedding planning is obviously a huge and really exciting part of this next chapter for us. Joey and I have been having so much fun putting together a day that feels really personal to us, and I’m excited to share little pieces of the process along the way while still keeping some things just for us. Outside of the wedding, I’m excited about diving into new creative opportunities and sharing them.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent KELSEY ANDERSON
photography STEVEN SIMIONE
styling HANNAH HARRISON
makeup AKINA SHIMIZU
hair JOSEPH MAINE
interview JANA LETONJA