Daisy Kent's journey to hope and healing.
When Daisy Kent first appeared on The Bachelor, it was clear that America had found a new favorite. With her warm smile, down-to-earth charm, and wholesome upbringing on a Christmas tree farm, Daisy quickly became a standout in the competition for Joey Graziadei's heart. However, behind her sweet exterior lies a story of profound faith and resilience.
Unlike most Bachelor contestants who apply and undergo rigorous screenings, Daisy was approached by the show's producers after they discovered her TikTok videos, where she candidly shares her experience with hearing loss. Daisy was a longtime fan of the show, having grown up watching it with her mother, so imagine her surprise when they reached out.
“I just received a DM one day,” she explained, still a bit in awe of how naturally everything fell into place.
“My cochlear implant was still pretty new,” said Daisy. “It was activated that April, and I was still adjusting. My life had changed so much in the past few months, and I felt like everything that was happening was meant to happen.”
Daisy discussed the opportunity extensively with her family, who were supportive of her decision to take the leap. “We all thought, ‘Okay, nothing bad can come from this,'” she said. “I was single at the time, and I'm so thankful I did it. It completely changed my life, and it was such a positive experience for me.”
A Christmas Tree Farm Childhood
Her life before The Bachelor was equally unique. Growing up on a Christmas tree farm in Minnesota was nothing short of idyllic. “Christmas time was always magical,” she reminisced. “People on a Christmas tree farm are always in high spirits. Families come together, enjoying hot chocolate, candy canes, horse rides—it's pure happiness for everyone.”
However, it wasn't just the festive season that shaped Daisy's outlook. Growing up surrounded by nature instilled in her a deep appreciation for life's simple joys. “My whole childhood was outdoors,” she said, recalling ziplining adventures with her siblings. “Technology wasn't a big part of our lives, and it was a really fun time.”
Daisy also credits her family with teaching her valuable life lessons, the most important of which was how to love. “My parents always emphasized love and how to express it to others,” she reflected.
Grace on Camera
One of the most significant moments on the show occurred during the final rose ceremony, where Daisy's grace in the face of heartbreak won her widespread admiration as viewers witnessed her navigate the loss with a rare combination of bravery and vulnerability.
“In any situation, understanding what others need and how to support them is crucial,” she said. “Sometimes it's not about you—it's about them. And when you care about someone, you want the best for them, even if it means putting their needs before your own.”
Many were stunned when she turned down the coveted role of The Bachelorette—an opportunity most contestants seize without hesitation. However, Daisy knew deep down that her path was different. “It was definitely tempting,” she admitted. “But I knew at that moment in my life, I needed to take time for myself. The last year had been monumental—I got my cochlear implant, relearned how to hear, and went on The Bachelor, which completely changed my life.”
Losing, and Relearning, Sound
She first noticed her hearing loss at age 15, and it rapidly worsened over the years. By her early twenties, Daisy's hearing had deteriorated to the point where daily life became increasingly challenging. “When I was 21 or 22, it got really, really bad,” she recalled. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder, and Lyme disease, which can also impact the auditory system. “I received my cochlear implant when I was 24,” Daisy said.
The decision to get the implant wasn't easy. “Mentally, it was overwhelming,” she said. “You're losing your hearing, and then you're told that this implant could help, but you have to put in the work to make it effective. It's like rehabbing your hearing and retraining your brain to hear, because the implant sends electrical signals to your brain.”
One of the most difficult aspects of her journey was the overwhelming sense of helplessness brought on by her hearing loss. “The hardest part was acceptance,” she said. “There were so many times I would pray, meditate, cry—I'd do anything for my hearing to return, to not have to go through this.”
In the midst of her struggle, a conversation with her pastor became a turning point. “He said, ‘What if instead of praying for this to go away, you prayed for acceptance, understanding, and guidance to move through it?'”
That advice changed everything. “Something inside me shifted. I realized that if this was something I had to go through, I needed to find a way to get through it. That shift in perspective really helped me move forward.”
“I took control of my thoughts and choices, and it made all the difference.”
Yet another challenging aspect of the process was the unknown—how the implant would work, what sounds, if any, she would be able to hear. “You don't know what you'll hear when they activate it,” she said. “Some people hear beeps and scratches, some hear nothing, and some hear words. It's all about how your brain interprets it. The scariest part was definitely the time between surgery and activation.”
When the moment of activation finally arrived, Daisy was filled with anxiety, but also hope. “I could hear speech right away,” she said, the gratitude evident in her voice. “Everyone just sounded like chipmunks at first, but it was so exciting because I hadn't heard speech clearly in a long time.”
One of the most memorable moments of her journey came when she first heard her grandmother's laugh. “They had me FaceTime my grandma, and her laugh sounded just like I remembered. I hadn't heard that in so long. That was my moment of hope—I knew it was going to be okay.”
Daisy Doo
Following her cochlear implant, Daisy embarked on a new creative path—writing a children's book titled Daisy Doo: All the Sounds She Knew. The book, which tells the story of a child's perseverance in the face of hearing loss, is deeply personal to her. “After my implant, I spent months rehabbing it, and during that time, I realized there weren't many resources that reflected my experience. I wanted to create something for kids facing similar challenges.”
The writing process was a labor of love. She delved into research, watched countless YouTube tutorials, and even tried designing the character herself using AI programs. But when the limitations of technology became clear, Daisy turned to Upwork, where she found an illustrator who brought her vision to life. “I had this character in mind, and when my illustrator sent back the first drawing, it was perfect.”
The book's release has received overwhelming support, not just from children with hearing loss, but also from others navigating their unique challenges. “I receive messages from parents, from people in wheelchairs, with prosthetic eyes, with various health issues—it's been so inspiring.”
Daisy's passion for empowering others didn't end with her book. She also founded a nonprofit, Hear Your Heart, during her college years. “I want to empower people to embrace what makes them unique,” she said.
Staying Grounded
Daisy's days are now filled with exciting projects, collaborations, and, as she describes it, a life that's “crazy because every day is different.” She's especially excited about a workshop she's developing with her mother, a first-grade teacher. “We're developing a workshop to visit schools, read my book, and do fun activities with the kids.”
Amidst this whirlwind of opportunities, she finds comfort in the small things. “I'm still the same person. I hang out with the same friends and spend time with my family. From the outside, it looks like everything has changed, and in some ways, it has, but I'm still me. I go on a lot of walks. Over the last two years, walking has become something I really love. It's a way for me to clear my mind.”
Journaling has also been a crucial part of her self-care routine. “I journaled throughout the show and afterward. It's so cool because you can look back and see where you were, emotionally and physically, and realize how far you've come.”
Another constant in Daisy's life is her love for the beach—a connection that has remained strong since childhood. Family vacations often brought her to the sun-soaked shores of Florida, a place she still holds dear. “I love Florida beaches,” she said with a smile. “We always vacationed there with my cousins, playing games on the beach all day. We'd play ‘Survivor,' dividing the family into teams and competing. It was hilarious and so fun—something I'll always cherish.”
Looking ahead, she's taking it one day at a time. “Right now, I'm just taking it all in. I don't know exactly what the next few years will hold, but I'm open to whatever comes my way.”
Follow Daisy Kent's journey of hope, healing, and resilience on Instagram and TikTok @daisyykent.
Story by Carmen Schober. Originally published in Beach Happy Magazine, Fall 2024.
