Beverly Ortega, a 30-year-old insurance salesperson, had her heart set on deepening her connection with Bachelor star Grant Ellis during a highly anticipated one-on-one date on the show. However, life had other plans. On the day of the date, Ortega found herself battling a severe health emergency that forced her to leave the program altogether. Her sudden absence left viewers wondering what had happened, as her fellow contestant, Parisa Shifteh, revealed the news without divulging the reason behind it. Shifteh explained, “Today was supposed to be Beverly’s one-on-one with Grant. But yesterday morning she was very sick. And today we found out that she will not be coming back to the house.” While some fans speculated that Ortega might have cold feet or lost interest in Ellis, the truth was far more unexpected—and painful.
Ortega opened up about her ordeal during an appearance on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast, hosted by Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt. She revealed that her morning began like any other, but things took a turn for the worse when she woke up with excruciating stomach pain. Initially, she brushed it off as a minor issue, thinking it might be something she ate or a stomach bug. But as the day progressed, her condition deteriorated rapidly. She described the pain as unbearable and recalled vomiting for 12 hours straight. Despite her growing concern, she didn’t immediately suspect anything serious, as the pain wasn’t localized to one area of her stomach. However, when the discomfort became unbearable, she sought medical attention. A trip to the hospital revealed the shocking diagnosis: appendicitis, requiring immediate surgery.
The news hit Ortega hard, both physically and emotionally. As someone who admits to being emotional and a self-described “crier,” she was surprisingly stoic in the face of the life-altering moment. She recounted, “I was like, ‘OK, my family isn’t here. My friends aren’t here. I’m about to have major surgery on an organ.’” The reality of undergoing another major surgery—having already had her gallbladder removed in 2018—left her feeling overwhelmed. She reflected on the irony of “losing organs left and right,” a grim reminder of her fragile health. Despite her resilience, the experience left a lasting emotional impact. Recovery from the surgery took about six weeks, but Ortega admitted that the emotional toll lingered longer. She confessed to grappling with “what if” questions about her relationship with Grant Ellis, as their budding connection was abruptly cut short.
Ortega and Ellis had been building a strong rapport on the show, despite the lack of screen time for their interactions. She shared that they had shared “a lot of cute little moments” that weren’t captured on camera, which made her departure even more heartbreaking. One of the hardest parts of her ordeal was not being able to say goodbye to Ellis in person. Ortega expressed her hope that the show’s crew had communicated her situation to him, ensuring he understood that her exit was far from voluntary. She also acknowledged that leaving the show was the best decision for her health, especially with the travel-intensive nature of the program. Flying while recovering from surgery would have been unsafe and unwise, so heading home to heal was the responsible choice.
Looking back, Ortega doesn’t harbor any regrets about her time on the show, despite the unexpected twist. She spoke fondly of the connections she made and the experiences she had before her health crisis. However, the abrupt end to her journey has left her with a sense of unfinished business. In a surprising revelation, Ortega expressed her willingness to return to the Bachelor franchise, specifically through Bachelor in Paradise, which is set to air later this summer. The opportunity to re-enter the dating pool and potentially rekindle her connection with Ellis—or maybe find love with someone new—Excites her. Her resilience and determination to give love another shot are a testament to her strength and optimism.
In the end, Beverly Ortega’s story is one of unexpected twists, resilience, and hope. Her journey on The Bachelor was cut short by a health emergency, but it hasn’t dampened her spirits or her belief in love. As she looks to the future, Ortega remains open to new possibilities, proving that even life’s unpredictability can’t extinguish her desire for connection and happiness. Her candor about her experience serves as a reminder that reality TV doesn’t always capture the full story, and sometimes the most meaningful moments happen off-screen. For now, fans can only speculate about what’s next for Ortega, but one thing is certain: she’s ready for whatever comes her way.
