Reality TV Star of the Week: Joan Vassos seeks second chance at love again in ABC's ‘Golden Bachelorette'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Joan Vassos, the 61-year-old school administrator from Rockland, Maryland, is set to become the first 'Golden Bachelorette' on ABC's reality dating show this fall. The announcement was made by Ryan Seacrest at ABC’s upfront event, which showcases new programs to advertisers.
Joan was a contestant on the first season of 'The Golden Bachelor,' a spinoff featuring cast members aged 60 and above. During her time on the show, she stood out for her heartfelt poem to the series lead, Gerry Turner, titled “I Just Hope I Don’t Vomit on Your Shoes.”
Both Joan and Gerry bonded over their shared experiences of losing a spouse. Unfortunately, Joan had to leave the show early to support her daughter, who was grappling with health issues following childbirth.
In her brief stint on the show, Joan highlighted the show's mission to bring attention to older Americans, saying, “As you get older, you become more invisible. People don’t see you anymore.” Her poignant words struck a chord with numerous viewers, emphasizing the significance of representation for older individuals on television.
Despite the unexpected divorce announcement from the first 'Golden Bachelor' couple, the show enjoyed robust ratings and revitalized interest in the franchise. Joan's selection as the 'Golden Bachelorette' has been met with enthusiasm from fans, who are eagerly anticipating her journey to find love once more. She expressed her excitement on social media, saying she is "honored" to be the first female lead of the spinoff.
'The Golden Bachelor' alum Joan Vassos was married for almost three decades
Joan Vassos was married to her husband, John, for nearly three decades, sharing 32 years of life. John died from pancreatic cancer in 2021, leaving a significant void in Joan's life.
In an emotional Instagram post, Joan reflected on their shared journey, expressing how on some days, it feels as if she just lost him, while on others, it seems like he has been gone forever. She admitted to fearing that her memories of him were slowly fading away.
Joan has struggled with finding a meaningful way to honor John’s memory, considering options like planting a tree or dedicating a bench in his name. However, she feels that nothing truly encapsulates the essence of who he was.
She described how naming the tallest building in the world might be the only way to do him justice, with each floor symbolizing a kind act he performed. Joan expressed that his good deeds were too numerous to count.
“For years, I’ve tried to think of how to memorialize him, but nothing seems quite right. Plant a tree, put his name on the back of a bench...nope, I’d have to name the tallest building in the world to do him justice. Every floor would stand for something kind he did for someone, the good deeds are too many to even attempt to mention," she said.
Joan Vassos applauds Gerry Turner for calling it quits with Theresa Nist
Joan Vassos shared her thoughts on the surprising split between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, the couple who found love on 'The Golden Bachelor.' Despite their fairytale beginning and a beautiful televised wedding special, Gerry and Theresa filed for divorce just three months after their wedding.
In an interview with CNN, Joan expressed her surprise and admiration for how they handled the situation. "I was surprised. I loved watching their journey. I saw them fall in love," she said. "I believed, just like they did, that they were the perfect couple. And I applaud that they jumped into this process with both feet and they were ready to find love. And they knew what true love was. They both had it in their previous lives," she added
Joan continued, emphasizing the importance of recognizing when something isn’t working, even if it’s difficult. "I also applaud them that when they discovered it wasn’t perfect, that they called it quits, and it’s not the end of the world," she added. "We have to let them live their journey and follow their hearts and it wasn’t right for them, so they split up."
