Kelsey Anderson Reflects on Her Mother’s Death in The Bachelor: Will It Impact Her Relationship with Joey Graziadei?

The Bachelor Season 28 contestant Kelsey Anderson emotionally reflected on the loss of her mother, Denise Anderson, who passed away from cancer in 2018, during a recent podcast. At just 25 years old, Kelsey, a junior account executive from New Orleans, made her television entrance by pursuing 28-year-old Joey Graziadei, a competitor from Charity Lawson’s season of The Bachelorette. Despite Joey’s strong showing as a finalist, Charity ultimately chose another suitor. However, fortunes shifted for Kelsey as Joey was selected as the bachelor for the next season.

In the dramatic finale of Season 28, Joey proposed to Kelsey, gifting her a beautiful diamond engagement ring along with his final rose. The couple soon moved in together, initially settling in Kelsey’s previous residence before relocating to a new home in Los Angeles. Throughout this transformative journey, Kelsey has kept her mother’s memory close to her heart. Since her first date with Joey, Kelsey has expressed how much her mother influenced her life. Recently, she has candidly discussed how her ongoing grief may impact her and Joey’s future together.

Kelsey’s Loss in 2018

Mark Anderson’s Loss

Kelsey’s mother, Denise, had been married to Mark Anderson for a notable 18 years before her cancer diagnosis in 2018. Both parents were veterans of the Army, having met while serving abroad, and they raised five children together, Kelsey included. Tragically, Denise passed away just two months following her diagnosis, leaving Kelsey with little time to cope with the impending loss. The emotional impact of this event continues to resonate deeply within Kelsey.

During Kelsey’s hometown date with Joey on The Bachelor, she introduced him to her father. In a poignant moment, Mark presented the couple with a photo album that celebrated his love story with Denise, highlighting the enduring bond he shared with her.

Mark, a widow himself, later appeared on the first season of The Golden Bachelorette. Kelsey supported her father on his quest for love, introducing him to 61-year-old Joan Vassos during the show’s premiere. While their romance did not blossom, the experience helped Mark begin to heal from the loss of his wife.

Kelsey Reflects on Her Grief

Navigating Grief and Heartache

The Bachelor, Kelsey has not fully processed the pain of her loss. In a heartfelt segment on The Squeeze Podcast, she opened up about her mother’s cancer battle and shared insight on coping with grief. While Kelsey experiences joy in her relationship with Joey, she often feels a void where her mother’s presence once was.

In this emotional segment, Kelsey showcased photos of Denise from various stages of her life and recounted her mother’s kindness, which serves as a guiding principle for her own actions today. She reminisced about their family dynamics, particularly how they fostered children, as a testament to Denise’s generous spirit. Through her journey, Kelsey learned the importance of balancing her happiness with her ongoing sorrow and realized that her mother would have wanted her to embrace life fully.

A Strengthened Bond with Her Father

Support from Mark

Kelsey Anderson and Mark Anderson both smiling — Custom Image by César García

The deep connection Kelsey shared with her mother profoundly affected her after the loss. In the absence of Denise, Kelsey turned to her father, Mark, for support and guidance. On one of her solo dates with Joey, Kelsey reflected on her historically distant relationship with her dad, emphasizing that their bond has since strengthened considerably following her mother’s passing. In recent times, Kelsey and Mark have become inseparable.

Mark has even joined Kelsey at public events, including cheering for Joey during his stint on Dancing With The Stars. Their relationship is evident across Kelsey’s social media platforms where her father frequently appears. Following his appearance on The Golden Bachelorette, speculation surrounds Mark potentially being the next lead for The Golden Bachelor. Should he embark on this journey, Kelsey is likely to stand by him, supporting his quest for love.

Kelsey Discusses Her Relationship with Joey

Future Wedding Plans?

Sad montage of The Bachelor stars Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson — Custom Image by César García

Despite having been engaged for over a year since the conclusion of filming The Bachelor, Joey and Kelsey have yet to finalize wedding plans. During her podcast appearance, Kelsey hinted at the reasons behind the delay. Every time discussions of the wedding arise, the thought of her mother not being present becomes overwhelming, causing her emotional pain. This ongoing grief appears to hinder Kelsey from fully moving forward with her relationship with Joey, a challenge that she hopes will alleviate over time.

Joey Graziadei	28 years old	Hawaii	976K Instagram followers, 397K TikTok followers
Kelsey Anderson	26 years old	Louisiana	818K Instagram followers, 631K TikTok followers