Podcast Summary: What’s the Reality?

Episode: The Bachelor’s Grant Ellis on the Pressure to Be Perfect + Love Is Blind’s S6 Ambers Reunite!

Host: Amber Desiree (AD)
Guests: Grant Ellis, JD Slacker, Amber Brooks & Tanner (Love Is Blind S6)
Release Date: December 17, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of What’s the Reality? is packed with heartfelt reflections, unfiltered friendship, and the untold truths from favorite reality stars. Host AD (Amber Desiree) chats with The Bachelor star Grant Ellis about the intense pressure of being the franchise’s second Black lead, choosing authenticity, and his journey post-show. The show also features a moving segment with JD Slacker (Luke Strong Foundation), discussing advocacy for sickle cell disease. In a "Love Is Blind" mini-reunion, AD welcomes S6’s Amber Brooks and her husband Tanner for candid talk about their unconventional love story, marriage after reality TV, new business endeavors, and what never made it to air.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Grant Ellis on Life After "The Bachelor"

• Catching Up with Grant (00:34 – 01:51)

  • Post-show: Attended NY Fashion Week, developing new show “Spin the Block” (dating coach/hitch concept).
  • Emphasizes increased presence in L.A. and his evolving role as a mentor for young men in the dating space.
  • “Just people know me a little more… now I have a little more authority in the dating space, and I could be a really, really good example.” (01:31)

• Pressure to Be Perfect as a Black Bachelor

  • Grant candidly discusses being the second Black lead and the pressure “to be perfect in a lot of ways,” the challenges of being himself under scrutiny, and the balancing act of representation and authenticity.
  • “There is an extra added layer of pressure that comes with being a lead that’s of color. I think people don’t really recognize that, but… it’s not for everybody to understand.” (02:16)

• Authenticity vs. Perfection: Lessons Learned

  • Grant reflects how striving too hard to be a flawless role model ended up backfiring. He expresses no regrets but wishes he had shown more of his real social personality on-screen.
  • “People are going to judge you regardless… Always be you, and people are gonna dislike you or like you, regardless.” (03:52; 04:38)
  • Notable story: Grant’s approach in the mall—he greeted someone in his authentic style, only for it to be labeled "the ick" by fans, yet he stands by being himself. (05:15 – 05:38)

• On Current Dating and Faith

  • Grant is single and focused on faith, not actively dating: “I’m not in the streets. I’m not outside. I’m inside.” (07:06)
  • Letting things come in their own time rather than forcing the outcome.

• Franchise Reflections and Future Projects

  • Thoughts on Taylor Frankie Paul (Mormon Wives) becoming The Bachelorette—Grant supports the franchise including more “real life flaws” for relatability.
  • Would only consider returning to TV in a capacity where he has creative control (projects of his own).
  • Grant’s finance background has allowed him to pursue passion projects independently.

Advocacy & Brotherhood: Grant Ellis & JD Slacker (Luke Strong Foundation)

• How They Met & The Power of Friendship (10:24 – 12:15)

  • Bonded playing basketball on the Bachelor set; discovered prior college rivalry. Friendship is rooted in sportsmanship and aligned values.

• Luke Strong Foundation: Fighting Sickle Cell Disease (13:45 – 24:18)

  • JD’s emotional story: Inspired by his late friend Luke, who suffered from sickle cell disease.
  • The foundation focuses on awareness, advocacy, and providing need-based grants to families with children undergoing bone marrow transplants.
  • “Sickle cell is a blood disease… not talked about nearly enough. We need more people with large voices… get on their megaphones and say, ‘hey, we need to change some of these things.’” (13:14 – 13:45)
  • Part of their goal: Grow partnerships with hospitals (currently 15, aiming to double/triple), fundraise, and expand awareness globally.
  • Advice: Even if you can't donate, sharing the story and inviting them to speak makes a big impact.

• Key Takeaways on Giving Back

  • Grant on purpose: “Whether you’re doing a TED Talk or speaking at an elementary school, you show up with purpose… We want to use our platform to make a difference.” (14:28)
  • JD on allyship: "It’s not about what you look like… It's about connection and a common cause." (19:36)
  • Both stress authenticity and staying true to oneself.

[Key Quotes]

• JD Slacker (17:16): “Being a Caucasian male from the suburbs... this (sickle cell) is not something that could affect people that look like me yet it’s changed my life and given me such purpose.”
• Grant Ellis (24:45): “The people that are for you are going to find you… Be yourself and the people that are for you are for you.”

[How to Support]

• Website: www.lukestrong.org
• Charity Book: Moonflower – proceeds go directly to the foundation.

Love Is Blind S6 "Ambers" Reunion: Updates, Friendship, & Real-Life Love

• Reunion Vibes & Life Now (26:35 – 30:16)

  • Amber Brooks and Tanner update: newly married, living in Charlotte, business partners, savoring life post-‘pods.’
  • AD and Amber reminisce on becoming best friends during the show’s “pods” phase, bonded over matching energy and mutual support.
  • Light-hearted moment: Amber’s “ad libs” and games in the pods helped her cope: “I was honestly, like, just trying to have as much fun as I could, ‘cause I thought I was losing my mind.” (28:36)

• Amber & Tanner’s Relationship Backstory (31:28 – 35:58)

  • Met through mutual friends before the show. Amber joined Love Is Blind after a brief period of dating Tanner (not official yet).
  • Tanner’s boundary: not interested in a relationship with someone going on TV; Amber believed in the process and chose to participate, prioritizing her journey.
  • After the show, Amber returned, reached out, and they rekindled, leading to marriage.
  • “I think I just needed to take the leap of faith… Maybe my husband is there. Maybe… he wasn’t, and that’s okay.” – Amber Brooks (35:11)

• Reality TV Aftermath, Edits & Authenticity (39:28 – 40:48)

  • Discuss “edits” on the show vs. real life: viewers only see a small slice; much is misunderstood or left out.
  • “She never lied, but she was like, I don’t know, because she didn’t know… months go on, she’s like, ‘well, actually, no, I was in this thing…’” — Tanner (40:10)

• Married Life & New Ventures

  • Opening Tipsy Pickle, Charlotte’s new pickleball restaurant/bar (41:00).
  • Amber launching a podcast, “Crafting Chemistry,” which combines interviews with crafts and a matchmaking component (58:05).
  • Both juggle business, renovations, and contemplating expanding their family.

• Reflections on Love Is Blind (current & past seasons) (47:02 – 54:34)

  • Open, honest takes about emotional struggles, the importance of lifestyle compatibility, and the reality of living together after the show.
  • Discussion on authenticity, “edits,” and public reception—especially how time changes perspective once the show finally airs.
  • Warm memories about the challenge and support of real friendships from the show.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Grant Ellis (On Authenticity):
  "I think that some of the fans...have this connotation that you can't...just be a husband...but that's me. I was like, 'I'm just going to be myself.' And it ended up, quote unquote, kind of backfiring on me. But I am happy that I was myself because that's who I am." (05:38)

• Grant on Future Plans:
  "I've been in finance for about seven years... it's allowed me to fund my own ideas and dreams. Trading is something I’m always going to do… I told myself before I’m 35, I want to have kids…” (09:35)

• JD Slacker (On Allyship and Impact):
  “It’s not about color, it’s not about what you look like...it’s about connection and it’s about a common cause.” (19:36)

• Amber Brooks (On "Love Is Blind" Journey):
  “Everyone’s journey is different, but I didn’t have a boyfriend [when cast]. I stayed true to myself and did what was best for me. My husband clearly wasn’t there. So my journey was—I came home, reconnected…” (39:10)

• Tanner (On Marriage Realities):
  “When you move in with somebody—things change… marriage is hard, living together is hard, lifestyle changes are hard.” (48:19)

• Amber Brooks (Biggest Takeaway):
  “Just sticking true to my gut feeling of what I should do… staying true to myself.” (47:06)

Timestamps by Segment

• Grant Ellis Interview: 00:34 – 10:19
• JD Slacker & Luke Strong Foundation: 10:24 – 25:15
• Ambers Reunion & Love Is Blind Panel: 26:35 – 61:04

Memorable, Lighthearted Moments

• AD and Amber reminisce on “ad libs,” silly games, and telepathy in the pods (28:25)
• Amber devised a "crafts and interview" format for her new matchmaking podcast (58:12)
• The group cheers on each other's business ventures, podcasts, and marriages—"Shout out, McDonald's” becomes a running in-joke when discussing pregnancy cravings (57:49)

Final Takeaways

• From Grant: "Always be you... the people that are for you are going to find you." (24:45)
• From JD: "You’d be surprised at… the kind of blessings that can come your way." (25:17)
• From Ambers & Tanner: Their story proves love doesn’t have to follow the reality TV script to flourish, and real friendships forged on-screen can last far beyond.

“Whether you’re giving a TED Talk or dancing somewhere, show up with purpose. Use your platform to make a difference.” — Grant Ellis (14:28)

“If you’re not in a position to give, share the story. Have us advocate. Anything you can do is the real backbone.” — JD Slacker (23:48)

Further Info & How to Help

• Luke Strong Foundation: www.lukestrong.org
• Moonflower (charity edition): 100% proceeds support sickle cell families.
• Follow: @whatstherealitypod on all social platforms for updates and more backstage reality TV content.