Zach Shallcross got COVID and had to host the first-ever virtual cocktail party and rose ceremony on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor on ABC. Ultimately, he handed out roses virtually via a monitor, with the women walking to the table and virtually picking up their own rose Zach offered roses to Kaity, Charity, Aly, Kat, Brooklyn, Jess and Ariel and gave Greer the last rose
Zach Shallcross contracted COVID and had to host the first-ever virtual cocktail party and rose ceremony on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor on ABC.
The 26-year-old sales rep was emotional as host Jesse Palmer, 44, clarified that the closing rose ceremony had to be virtual.
“They got robbed this week,” Zach said through tears.
Zach ended up handing out roses virtually via a monitor while the women walked to the table and picked up their own rose. He told them he was upset that he couldn’t be in the room with them.
“I would literally do anything to get out of this room and be with you,” Zach said. “It’s bloody annoying.”
Virtual reality: Zach Shallcross got COVID and had to host the first-ever virtual cocktail party and rose ceremony on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor on ABC
When the season 27 episode began, there were 11 women left on the show in London. A date card for Gabi Elnicki, 25, an account executive from Pittsford, Vermont, arrived in her room and read, “You’re my queen Zach.”
Zach was waiting for them downstairs next to a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce.
“My car is waiting for me,” Gabi said.
Zach planned the ultimate royal experience for her. He first took her to Floris, a perfumery that made fragrances for the royal family, and they created their own perfume.
“This could be a fragrance that we wear on our wedding day,” Gabi said in a confessional.
Next they met the royal butler, Grant Harrold, who prepared them the late Queen’s cocktail and brought back corgis of the royal bloodline for them to play with. Gabi then tried on dresses for Zach.
“She’s like a queen,” Zach said as Gabi tried on a long blue dress.
They also had tea time together as they continued to get to know each other.
Remote roses: The 26-year-old sales rep later distributed roses remotely while remaining in quarantine. Bad news: Show host Jesse Palmer, 44, made it clear to Zach that the final rose ceremony had to be virtual. Getting emotional: Zach fought back tears after learning he couldn’t attend the rose ceremony in person Remote ceremony: The woman walked over to a monitor as Zach offered roses from afar
Gabi came back to the hotel with shopping bags and showed the women her new Jimmy Choo shoes, diamond earrings and perfume.
“I’m jealous,” Kylee Russell, 25, a postpartum nurse from Charlotte, North Carolina, said in a confessional. “I just don’t see how that’s fair. I can’t even remember the last time a man bought me a meal, let alone a pair of Jimmy Choos.”
There was a knock on the door and it was Gabi’s blue dress with a card from Zach saying she had given him butterflies.
Greer Blitzer, 24, a medical sales representative from Houston, angrily stormed out of the room. She sat crying in a hallway. Charity Lawson, 26, a child and family therapist from Columbus, Georgia, went to her for comfort. Greer said she was upset because she told Zach how important tea was to her and even got a teacup tattooed on her hand.
Gabi came by with all her things and her dress and told Greer that she was sitting in front of the door to her room.
“That was torture,” Greer said.
Later that evening, Gabi put on her blue ball gown and met Zach. Zach told her he was blown away by how she made every situation “fun and effortless.”
“You make me feel so safe and seen without even trying,” Gabi said.
Royal Fragrances: Zach first took Gabi to Floris, a perfumery that made fragrances for the royal family, and they created their own perfume. Gorgeous dress: Gabi then tried on dresses for Zach and he admired her in a blue dress. Dinner Date: Later that night, Gabi put on her blue ball gown and met Zach
Zach gave her a rose and they kissed. Zach led her to a room where UB40 was giving her a private concert singing their hit Can’t Help Falling In Love.
“He’s the kind of person I want to be with,” Gabi said to the camera. “He is my king.”
Back at the hotel the group appointment card arrived and it was for Greer, Kylee, Brooklyn Willie, 25, a rodeo racer from Stillwater, Oklahoma; Kaity Biggar, 27, Austin ER nurse; Katherine “Kat” Izzo, 26, registered nurse from Tampa, Florida; Aly Jacobs, 26, Atlanta-based health strategist; Ariel Frenkel, 28, from New York City; Jess Girod, 23, e-commerce coordinator from Winter Springs, Florida; and Mercedes Northrup, 24, a nonprofit owner from Bloomfield, Virginia. Charity was not selected, meaning she would get a singles date with Zach.
“I’m dizzy right now,” Charity said in a confessional. ‘I feel so good.’
“I didn’t get the one on one, I’m going to hyperventilate,” Mercedes said as she left the room crying.
The next day, the women got ready for their group date with Zach. But just as they were about to leave, a card arrived from Zach announcing that he was “a little knocked out.”
“I’m annoyed,” Kylee said in a confessional. “You weren’t too ill to stay up at Gabi’s all night. You won’t be too ill to talk to Charity one-on-one tomorrow.”
The women boarded a double-decker bus, upset that they weren’t exploring London with Zach. Zach was in his room and said he felt jet lagged and run down.
Rose accepted: Zach gave Gabi a rose and they kissed. Group Date: The women went on the group date without Zach
“I wish I could be with them now,” Zach said. “Hopefully this passes and I’m ready for tonight.”
The women went to a bar and hoped that Zach would join them later.
“I’m a curious cow and it’s my drunk, handsome girls, what are you up to?” asked the bartender.
They told her they are all dating the same guy but he was under the weather.
“He must be an eye-catcher,” said the bartender.
The women crowded into a phone booth, then went to a fish and chip shop and continued their tour of town.
At night, the women would change into their cocktail attire, but then they were told that Zach was still unwell.
“I hate that he doesn’t feel good,” Brooklyn said. “But out of selfishness I feel uplifted and it really hurts. And I can see the pain in all of you. I’m honestly too pissed off at this point to cry.
Really hurts: “I hate that he doesn’t feel good,” Brooklyn said. “But out of selfishness I feel uplifted and it really hurts. And I can see the pain in all of you. I’m honestly too pissed off at this point to cry.
The next morning, Charity got ready for her date, but then Jesse walked in and told them that Zach had tested positive for COVID.
“When Zach got the results he was absolutely devastated, losing that kind of quality time with you all at this stage of the journey is Zach’s worst nightmare,” Jesse said.
Charity started crying. Concerned that Zach was all alone, Kaity brought him a gift basket to make him feel better. She knocked on his door and told him that she hadn’t stopped thinking about him.
“I see a future with you,” Kaity said.
“I want you to know that I have so much faith in us,” Zach said.
Kaity walked away and Zach opened the door and pulled the gift basket into his room.
Later, Jesse went to the ladies’ room and informed the women that due to Zach’s condition, they were going to have their first-ever virtual cocktail party and virtual rose ceremony.
Each of the women went into a room individually to have their individual screen time with Zach. Charity went first and felt reassured talking to Zach on a tablet. Kat asked Zach if he wanted to virtually “smoke” during their one-on-one session.
Screen Time: Each of the women went into a room individually to have their individual screen time with Zach
“I miss all the women so much,” Zach said during a confession.
Greer and Zach didn’t really connect during their conversation as she compared his frustration at not being able to see the women due to COVID to when she had COVID during a pivotal phase of her job at the end of a sales quarter.
She later broke down crying.
“He was offended,” Greer said. “I feel like I insulted him.”
At the final rose ceremony, Zach Rosen gave the final rose to Kaity, Charity, Aly, Kat, Brooklyn, Jess, Ariel and Greer.
Kylee and Mercedes didn’t get roses.
They walked up the screen and said goodbye to Zach. Zach told the remaining women that he couldn’t wait to continue the journey with them.
The Bachelor returns on ABC next Monday.
Bad connection: Greer and Zach didn’t really connect during their chat as she compared his frustration at not being able to see the women due to COVID to when she was in tears during a pivotal phase of her job at the end of a sales quarter Flowing: The virtual conversation rocked Greer, who felt like she was insulting Zach. Last Rose: Zach gave Greer the last rose. The Journey Continues: Zach told the remaining women that he couldn’t wait to continue the journey with them
