Although filming on Joey Graziadei's season of The Bachelor began in the fall, the Season 28 star actually met one of his fellow contestants long before that. Lea Cayanan made her debut on The Bachelorette's live finale special After the Final Rose in August and said she and Joey already had a big thing in common.
"I'm from Oahu, Hawaii, and I'm very proud to be from there... [but] as far as dating goes, it's not the best place to date," Lea said. She hoped to have better luck after moving to Los Angeles, but alas, she didn't. So the 23-year-old turned to The Bachelor for a chance to find love.
Leah and Joey seemed to click during their brief meeting after "The Final Rose," with the contestants even suggesting they could "go back home to each other" in Hawaii.
But starting your Bachelor journey before your first night doesn't always guarantee success in the Bachelor Mansion. Season 27's Brianna Thorbourne's drama revolved around her when other contestants were intimidated by her early "First Impression Rose." This tension ultimately led to Brianna returning home early.
Leah didn't get an early rose, but she did get an envelope that she was told not to open until the first night. "Believe me, this will absolutely change everything," Jesse Palmer promised.
Is Leah any luckier? Joey's season has just begun, but recent leaks paint a picture of what's to come. Spoilers ahead!
Before the Bachelor
According to Lea's Instagram, she has been living in Los Angeles for nearly 18 months. But she often shares photos from her trips back to her hometown in Hawaii (she's from Waipahu), as well as other trips to New York, Australia and more. These getaways match Lea's Bachelor profile, in which she says she "loves spending time drawing, hiking, and being at the beach." By day, she works as an account manager.
Leah's mysterious card shocks her
Ahead of its Jan. 22 premiere, People shared a preview clip of Leah opening the card and saying "Oh my God" before burying her face in her hands. She explained that she feared the card would make her a "target," and her reaction seemed to confirm that fear.
If you're a fan of The Bachelor spoilers, you may have learned via Reality Steve that Leah's envelope contains a twist: the ability to steal a one-on-one date from another woman. But Bachelor Nation bloggers say Leah ultimately burned the letter, saying she didn't want to get an unfair advantage. Joey gave her a first impression rose for her sweet (and strategic) move.
Leah and Joey go international
According to Reality Steve , Leah and Joey's early connection lasted most of the season. Lea reportedly traveled to a number of international destinations, including Malta and Spain, but was eliminated in Canada shortly before her home competition.
