The "Bachelorette": Who is Joseph Aboladi?
For once, Chris Harrison's biannual announcement that the upcoming Bachelor or Bachelorette season is "the most dramatic ever" may actually be true. Claire Crowley's season of The Bachelorette (opens in new tab) has only just begun, but it is already embroiled in a particularly juicy controversy (all spoilers here (opens in new tab)). Great reality TV dramas are always accompanied by great reality TV villains, and this totally bonkers season of "The Bachelorette" promises to deliver both. By all accounts, the biggest name (Chris Harrison's words, not mine) of the group is medical equipment salesman and model Joseph Aboladi. From his heated argument with Crowley to his abrupt exit from the show, here's what we know so far about his villainous editing.
According to his official ABC biography (opens in new tab), Aboradi is a 30-year-old native of Daphne, Alabama, and a graduate of the Mitchell College of Business at the University of South Alabama. He is divorced and has a 4-year-old daughter, Zara. When he is not with his "light of life," Zara (look no further than his Instagram (opens in new tab) for proof of their sweet relationship), he cooks, spends time with friends, spends his free time on the dance floor, visits Napa, and has dreams of owning a home in Egypt.
In his own words, "I am successful, intelligent, have my life together, and am extremely hardworking." It sounds as if I am in the mirror trying to convince myself that 2020 is not complete chaos.
In the second week, we see a teaser of what will unfold between Aboradi and Crawley. When Crowley and the producers planned a strip dodgeball date, Aboradi didn't like it, even though she wasn't present on the date. (In the teaser for the next episode, someone (who, spoiler alert, turns out to be Aboradi) is seen saying, "I expected more from the oldest Bachelorette!"
I see him exclaiming, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
A tearful Crowley says, "I'm 39 years old, I'm the oldest Bachelorette standing here, and I'm single.
According to Reality Steve, Aboradi called Crowley and her decision to ask the guys to play strip dodgeball "classless" and "lame," before moving on to the nasty "oldest single person" remark. He also cited his own daughter on numerous occasions, saying he wanted to set an example for her.
In an interview with "Entertainment Tonight" (opens in new tab), the show's host hinted that Aboladi is someone to watch. He said, "Iosef is definitely someone who wears his heart on his sleeve. He's not afraid to express how he feels, and that could be to anyone, including Claire," he said, adding, "Iosef is definitely someone you want to keep an eye on when it comes to drama."
Harrison was a bit more blunt in his own video introducing this season's contestants, saying that Aboradi "has not shied away from controversy this season. If Iosef has something on his mind, he will say it. He has zero filter, he doesn't care who he says it in front of, he doesn't care who he's poking the pot with. So watch out for Yosif."
Aboladi's Instagram bio currently reads, "It's not over yet..." It reads. Not ominous at all.
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