Beloved Bachelorette alum Joe Amabile, widely known to fans as “Grocery Store Joe,” has shared a sobering health update with his followers. On Monday, the 40-year-old reality star revealed that he has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is preparing for a surgical procedure to remove the mass.
Amabile took to Instagram to detail the unexpected discovery, explaining that the diagnosis came after he underwent a full-body MRI scan. “So a little medical update,” he shared in a video. “They ended up finding a lesion in my brain. So then I had to go get a brain MRI, and there was a blueberry-sized lesion in my brain that looks to be a glioma, which is a tumor.”
The former contestant, who also appeared on Dancing With the Stars, noted that the medical team plans to perform surgery in two weeks to remove and test the growth. “It’s been a wild couple weeks. Definitely wasn’t expecting this,” he admitted. “I think it’s one of those things where you’re like, ‘Oh, something like this will never happen to me’ — and here I am. They say it’s really early stages. I hope they are able to get it all, and I’m fine. But I will keep you updated.”
Amabile, who will be treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his inner circle. In his social media caption, he emphasized his commitment to maintaining a positive outlook during this challenging period.
Since his initial appearance on Season 14 of The Bachelorette, Amabile has become a staple of the franchise, appearing on multiple seasons of Bachelor in Paradise, where he eventually found love with his now-wife, Serena Pitt. His reality television journey also included a memorable run on Season 27 of Dancing With the Stars, where he competed alongside professional partner Jenna Johnson.
The news has prompted an outpouring of support from his peers within the reality TV community. Fellow stars, including Thomas Jacobs, Wells Adams, and professional dancer Alan Bersten, have taken to social media to offer their encouragement. His wife, Serena Pitt, also shared a heartfelt message, stating, “You’re so strong and we’re going to get through this together. I love you.”