Greg Grippo's Heartfelt Confession on Victoria Fuller Split: Unveiling the Weight of Loss
“Navigating a relationship in the public eye, especially when it hits rocky terrain, amplifies the pain,” reflected Grippo, 30, a former contestant on The Bachelorette, during Monday's episode of Jason Tartick’s Trading Secrets podcast. “It's a tough road. Honestly, it's heartbreaking. And, you know, I just want to honor her during this time and refrain from delving into specifics.”
Just two days after PEOPLE confirmed the split between the Bachelor Nation duo, Grippo reaffirmed on Trading Secrets that he and Fuller, 30, had indeed called it quits.
Grippo, who initially caught the public eye on Katie Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette, acknowledged that the scrutiny their relationship faced early on initially drew them closer.
“She possesses a genuinely compassionate heart, and yeah, it's painful witnessing someone you care about endure such turmoil,” Grippo shared with Talk Money to Me author Tartick, 35. “It's excruciating. And I despised that aspect of it all. Yet, it undeniably forged a strong bond between us, allowing us to weather a tumultuous storm from the get-go.”
Fuller, from Peter Weber’s Bachelor season, and Grippo confirmed their relationship in November 2022, following nearly three months of swirling speculation.
At the time, some observers speculated about the timing of their romance, suggesting it overlapped with Fuller’s engagement to Johnny DePhillipo from Bachelor in Paradise season 8. DePhillipo, 27, asserted that their engagement ended in mid-September, while Fuller maintained they parted ways three weeks after the conclusion of BiP filming in July.
“I believe that certain women in the franchise are unfairly targeted, regardless of their actions,” Grippo remarked regarding his Bachelor Nation counterparts. “And, although it applies to many, it seems particularly intense for her. Anything she does undergoes intense scrutiny, it seems.”
Despite the relationship's dissolution, Grippo harbors no ill will toward Fuller. “She's exceptional, and I'm confident she'll continue to accomplish remarkable feats,” he affirmed.
The breakup weighed heavily on both parties, and as a result, Grippo finds himself in a phase of healing. He disclosed plans to relocate from Chicago to Brooklyn, New York, come September.
“I'm genuinely content and optimistic about this chapter of my life,” Grippo expressed. “It feels like a fresh start.”
Additionally, Grippo divulged that he splurged $12,000 on their inaugural date in Rome. “That villa in Capri was truly top-notch,” he reminisced.
In the same Trading Secrets episode, fellow Bachelorette alum Andrew Spencer disclosed his newfound single status following an eight-month relationship.
Like Grippo, Spencer, 29, found dating in the public eye to be arduous and attributed his recent split to it.
“I'm exploring different strategies for navigating public relationships because, nowadays, everyone you date invites public opinion, and it's tough to handle,” remarked the former professional football player. “And, of course, you want to shield your partner, and they want to shield you. It was a lot to handle.”
