Soap opera star Susan Lucci declined an offer from ABC to be on “The Golden Bachelorette,” stating that it wasn’t for her. However, she enjoyed watching the debut season of “The Golden Bachelor,” starring Gerry Turner. Lucci has been a fan of “The Bachelor” franchise for several seasons, starting when her assistant convinced her to watch, and she instantly became intrigued. With her disinterest in being on the show, Joan Vassos, a contestant from Turner’s season, became “The Golden Bachelorette.”
Joan Vassos, a fan favorite from Gerry Turner’s season of “The Golden Bachelor,” was announced as “The Golden Bachelorette” on her Instagram Story. At 61 years old, Vassos connected with Turner over the shared experience of losing their spouses. Turner’s wife passed away in 2017 due to a bacterial infection, while Vassos’ husband died from pancreatic cancer in 2021. Despite their deep connection, Vassos left the show three weeks in to support her daughter, who was struggling with postpartum depression.
After leaving the show, Joan Vassos is now looking for a “family man with whom to blend her life.” Turner, on the other hand, proposed to Theresa Nist during the finale of his season, and the couple got married in January. Unfortunately, Turner and Nist announced their divorce just three months later. Vassos is returning to reality TV in hopes of finding love and blending families with a new partner.
Despite not being on the show, Susan Lucci remains a fan of “The Bachelor” franchise. She was captivated by the show’s contestants and their stories, expressing her care and interest in getting to know them better. By watching the show, Lucci was able to witness the connections and relationships formed between the contestants, adding to the drama and entertainment of the popular reality dating series. Lucci’s decision not to participate opened the door for Joan Vassos to become “The Golden Bachelorette.”
Ultimately, the love stories of the contestants on “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette” showcase the ups and downs of finding love on reality TV. While some, like Turner and Nist, may find marriage and later divorce, others like Vassos are still searching for their happily ever after. Lucci’s decision to decline offers to be on the show allowed her to be a viewer and fan of the franchise, enjoying the drama and relationships that unfold on screen. Regardless of the outcomes, the journey to finding love continues for the contestants of the popular reality dating series.
