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Wait. Stop the scroll. If you’ve been watching Grant Ellis’s season of The Bachelor, you’ve definitely noticed Litia Garr. She’s striking. She’s poised. She’s also been the subject of about a million Reddit threads and Twitter debates. People are constantly guessing where she’s from, or more specifically, what her background is. Honestly, there’s been a lot of confusion.
Some fans thought she was biracial Black and white. Others guessed Middle Eastern or even Latina. It’s kinda fascinating how much we try to box people into specific categories the second they appear on our TV screens. But the reality of Litia’s heritage is actually much more specific—and it explains a lot about the family dynamics we saw during her emotional hometown date.
Litia Bachelor Ethnicity Explained: It's Not What You Think
Basically, Litia is biracial. Her father was from Fiji, and her mother is white, originally from Idaho.
This makes her Pacific Islander and Caucasian. She’s not Black, which was a huge misconception early in the season when viewers were trying to predict Grant’s "type." In fact, a lot of Bachelor Nation fans on Reddit had to do a double-take once she started opening up about her roots.
Litia actually addressed this directly in episode three. She told Grant that her parents met while they were both in college in Hawaii. It’s a classic, beautiful story: a girl from Idaho and a guy from Fiji falling in love in the islands. But the story has a really heavy side, too.
Litia’s father passed away in a tragic car accident when she was only three months old. She never got to know him. Because of that, she was raised primarily by her mother, Maurie, and her stepfather, Rob, in a very specific cultural environment: Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Utah Connection and the "Mormon" Factor
You can’t talk about Litia’s identity without talking about her faith. This is where things get really interesting for people who follow the show’s "lore." Litia was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
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Living in Salt Lake City as a biracial Pacific Islander woman in a predominantly white, conservative religious community definitely shaped her. On the show, she’s been super open about how her faith dictates her boundaries. Remember the Fantasy Suites? She was the one who flat-out told Grant she wasn't going to spend the night.
- Her Father: Fijian (Pacific Islander).
- Her Mother: White/Caucasian (from Idaho).
- Her Upbringing: Raised LDS (Mormon) in Utah.
People often assume that because someone is from Utah or is Mormon, they must be white. Litia is a walking reminder that the Pacific Islander community has a massive presence in the LDS church. It’s actually a huge part of the culture in places like Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. So, while her ethnicity might have surprised some viewers, her background actually fits perfectly within the demographic of her hometown.
Why People Got Litia’s Heritage Wrong
Honestly, lighting and makeup on reality TV can be tricky. Early on, the "melanated lineup" (as fans called it) included Litia because of her gorgeous tan skin and features. But as the season progressed and we met her family, the picture became clearer.
Her mom is white. Her stepfather is white. Her brothers, Ethan and Jackson, are also part of that family unit. Seeing her interact with her "very white, Mormon family" (as one Redditor put it) was a bit of a culture shock for some viewers, especially when her grandpa showed up and turned out to be the sweetest human ever.
It was actually her grandpa who gave us one of the most touching moments of the season. He spoke so highly of Litia’s biological father, making it clear that even though he’s gone, his memory is a huge part of their family. It debunked a lot of the cynical theories that Litia might have been "disconnected" from her Fijian roots.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Pacific Islanders in the US
To give you some context on why Litia’s background is so unique for the franchise:
According to the US Census, people of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) descent make up about 0.3% of the population. When you narrow that down to those who are multiracial, the numbers are even smaller.
In the world of The Bachelor, where the cast has historically lacked diversity, Litia representing the Fijian community is actually a pretty big deal. She isn't just "another contestant"; she’s bringing a very specific lived experience to the screen.
What This Means for Her Future
Litia didn't end up with the final rose (that drama with Grant and Juliana is a whole other article), but she’s clearly a fan favorite. There’s already rumors she might show up on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or even Bachelor in Paradise.
Whatever she does next, she’s proven that you can’t judge a book by its cover—or a contestant by a 30-second intro clip. She’s a proud Fijian-American woman who stays true to her Utah roots and her faith.
If you're looking to follow her journey or see more of her family life, her Instagram is usually the best bet for the "real" Litia. She often shares photos of her mom and her life in Utah, which gives a lot more flavor to the snippets we saw on TV.
Actionable Insights:
- Check the Facts: Don't rely on social media "vibes" to determine someone's ethnicity; listen to their own words in their bios or interviews.
- Understand the Intersection: Litia is a prime example of how religion and ethnicity intersect in ways people don't always expect (e.g., the strong PI presence in the LDS church).
- Watch the Reruns: Go back to episode three of Grant’s season to hear Litia talk about her father—it’s a key moment that explains her entire perspective on family.