Ellis was announced as the next "Bachelor" in August. Fans were first introduced to Ellis on Jenn Tran's season of "The Bachelorette," where the two connected over their mutual attraction for each other and common goals. Tran said goodbye to him during week 6 of season 21.

"People are going to see my character onscreen and how I handle situations, and hopefully that’s what makes them proud regardless of what color I am," says the star of season 29, which premiered Monday.

It’s typical to see about a third of the contestants sent home on Night 1. Joey Graziadei eliminated 10 of his starting 32 in Season 28, and before him, Zach Shallcross sent 10 of 30 home. Grant Ellis started with fewer women and therefore didn’t have quite as many Night 1 goodbyes.