Sarafiena’s Controversial Comment About Zoe’s Dress on The Bachelor
Sarafiena Watkins has shared her regret regarding the remarks she made about Zoe McGrady’s dress on The Bachelor.
“I hated that. It wasn’t my finest moment,” Sarafiena, 29, stated during the episode of the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast that aired on Thursday, February 20. “I beat myself up for quite a while over it. Yet, I’m trying to show myself some grace because I’m human, and we all say things we regret or think, ‘That was awful in the moment.’”
The tension between Zoe, 27, and the other contestants escalated during a group date cocktail party on the February 10 episode of The Bachelor, triggered by Sarafiena’s comment about Zoe’s outfit.
“That’s the shortest dress I’ve ever seen in my life,” Sarafiena remarked to some women on a couch, which Zoe happened to overhear.
Us Weekly’s “Here for the Right Reasons” podcast has been covering the drama surrounding Joey Graziadei‘s The Bachelor: Women Tell All, providing insights from contestants after filming the special. The episode began with rising tensions among the women, particularly as Madina recounted her conflicts with Lea, Sydney, and Maria. While Madina didn’t receive a one-on-one…
“I stood up to grab a drink for just a moment, and I overheard people talking. I heard Sarafiena say my dress is too short,” Zoe recounted in a confessional. “Really? That’s not what a true friend would say. I don’t understand it. I wasn’t looking for feedback on my outfit, and I wasn’t even addressing her.”
Zoe expressed her disappointment to fellow contestant Chloie Costello and voiced her concerns about dealing with “fake” individuals to Grant Ellis.
“It’s been a long and stressful day for me,” Zoe confided to Grant. “Clearly, the first group date was my strong suit. As you witnessed, the competitive nature was intense, and since then, I’ve faced constant remarks, like, ‘Oh, your dress is too short.’”
Grant inquired about who made the remark, but Zoe declined to disclose a name. “I don’t want to be around people who throw shade. I appreciate you coming to me and being truthful. I see your efforts to connect, and I value that,” Grant reassured Zoe. “Just be yourself, okay?”
Fortunately, the tension has since dissipated, leading to a reconciled friendship between Zoe and Sarafiena. Following the incident, the two engaged in a conversation that revealed their shared experiences.
“In a strangely positive twist, that incident helped Zoe and me bond because we discovered we were feeling the same emotions, just expressing them in different ways,” Sarafiena remarked on Thursday. “I was navigating my own struggles during that time, as this journey can be emotionally tumultuous. Sometimes, as individuals, we struggle to communicate effectively. Ultimately, I believe this incident provided us the opportunity to view each other through a new lens.”
The Bachelor airs on ABC on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.
