Rachel Nance Opens Up About Past Abusive Relationship and How Joey Graziadei Helped Her Trust Again

Bachelor Nation fans saw Rachel Nance look for love with Joey Graziadei on Season 28 of “The Bachelor.”

Now, the Bachelor Nation star stopped by the “Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour” podcast and opened up to co-hosts Susan Noles and Kathy Swarts about her past relationships.

Rachel got vulnerable about her serious relationships from before the show and shared what they all had in common.

She said, “My exes, separate from Joey, all cheated. That’s what they all had in common. I had three serious relationships and separate from us dating, they are mostly amazing people. I don’t want to talk badly about an ex. I think cheating is a personal choice and that’s on them for what they did. One ex I had who I swore I was going to marry, he was my first love, cheated.”

Rachel also shared that in addition to cheating, one of her exes was also abusive. She shared how her relationship with Joey actually helped her trust again after that experience.

She said, “I’ve been in a relationship that was abusive as well, so my track record went from my first love in high school cheating on me, which happens, but then I got into an abusive relationship. So I really struggled with thinking I trusted the right people and then it would always bite me in the butt at the end.”

Rachel continued, “When I went on the show and I met Joey, even though he wasn’t my person, the friendship that we had really taught me that I can open up and trust somebody again and that they can treat me well. I am still working on that, but I have reached a point where I know what I deserve.”

Susan and Kathy asked Rachel what she’s looking for in a partner and what qualities from her beloved dad she hopes to find in a man.

Rachel said, “My dad treats my mom like an absolute queen. The respect he has for his sisters really shows with how he treats my mom. He’s also a girl dad — he has three daughters. The example he’s set for me with how patient he is with my mom and how he listens to her. In a traditional sense, he’s such a provider and protector of her, but also doesn’t take away from her life as an independent and strong woman.”

She added, “My appreciation also comes from the fact that both of my parents were divorced before they met. I do have a couple of half-siblings, who I consider my whole siblings. The dynamics of seeing how they navigated having children before they met and how we had this blended family also showed me how strong my parents are. It really kept us so close and they showed love all the time.”

We love how honest and open Rachel is and we know that her sharing her story will help others.