The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 recently premiered, and I’m already convinced that Joan Vassos will not find love during her season of theBachelorspin-off. I didn’t want to feel that way. On the contrary, I wanted Joan to find true love, if only to cleanse my palate of what happened during Gerry Turner’sThe Golden Bachelorseason. I told myself that Joan was better suited to succeeding at this process because she was more emotionally available than Gerry was, but now I can see clearly that I was lying to myself.
No one could blame me for harboring high hopes for Joan. She made her television debut duringThe Golden Bachelor,and though she hit it off with Gerry, she had to leave the show early due to a family emergency. Her daughter had just given birth and needed her mother, but, in hindsight,there may have been more to Joan’s early exit than wanting to be with her daughter. Read on to find out why I’m convincedThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1will end just as badly asThe Golden Bachelor.
Joan Already Adjusted Expectations
There Won’t Be Another Golden Wedding
I don’t thinkThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 will deliver on the promise of happily ever after, and it’s not because Joan doesn’t have plenty of great men to choose from. The show premiered recently, and, as usual, the episode ended with scenes from future episodes. These clips, whichBachelorNationposted on YouTube, feature a dazzling array of incredible dates - there are some thrilling and romantic moments. ThoughJoan appears to be so happyin all the promotional materials for the series, I remain unconvinced.
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In May, Joan toldCNNthat she wouldn’t be rushing into marriage. She said it wasn’t entirely because of Gerry and Theresa - she simply feels people need more time to get to know each other. She went on to say she hopes ABC makesThe Golden Bachelor In Paradise. “Oh, my gosh. I want to be on it!" Joan stated. Then, she caught herself, adding, “Hopefully, I’ll have a husband and not (be) eligible.” Joan wasalready talking about appearing on another unscripted dating show,which is why I believefans can forget about anotherGolden Bachelorwedding special.
Joan’s Not Over Her Late Husband
She’s Not Ready For Love
The main reason I don’t believe thatThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 will end with a successful marriage is thatJoan doesn’t seem to be over her late husbandyet. Years before joining the cast ofThe Golden Bachelor,Joan was married to John Nicholas Vassosfor 32 years. In 2021, he passed away due to pancreatic cancer. The premiere episode of the season opens with Joan talking about John, and I just get the sense that she’s not ready to move on yet.
She has talked about feeling guilty on more than one occasion, despite the fact that her late husband told her he wanted her to find love again before he died.
John didn’t want Joan to spend the rest of her life mourning him, and Joan may not want to spend the rest of her life mourning him, but I don’t think she’s ready to move on yet. Joan talks a lot about howJohn made her feel safeduring their entire relationship. Though many of the men Joan’s dating seem to be great catches, I can’t imagine Joan thinking one of them could fill John’s shoes.
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I Hope Joan Proves Me Wrong
The Golden Bachelorseason 1 ended with Gerry marrying Theresa Nist,but the marriage ended after only three months. Though the couple loved each other, they couldn’t figure out how to blend their lives. They lived in separate states and neither wanted to leave behind the lives they’d spent decades building. Though Gerry and Theresa tried to see each other regularly, neither was satisfied with a long-distance marriage, so they called it quits.
I foresee Joan, and every other futureThe Golden Bachelor/Bachelorettefranchise contestant, running into a similar problem.
By the time people are in their 60s, they’ve established full lives. Maybe I’m cynical, but it’s hard to imagine anyoneuprooting their life to be with someone they dated for a few weeks on a reality TV show. ConsideringJoan leftThe Golden Bachelorto be with her daughter when her adult child needed her, she has made it clear that she puts her family first. I strongly believe that any relationship Joan develops onThe Golden Bacheloretteis likely doomed, but I really hope I’m wrong.
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Portfolio manager
66
60
Insurance exec
64
65
Retired finance executive
Retired university vice president
ER doctor
61
Shipping consultant
Sales manager
Girl dad
69
57
Army veteran
Financial adviser
FDNY Chief
New York, N.Y.
The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC.
The Golden Bachelorette
Cast
The Golden Bachelorette: This reality series offers one woman in her later years the opportunity to find love, as a group of seasoned men compete for her affection. Participants bring diverse romantic histories, seeking a meaningful connection and a chance to build a promising future together.
