Joan Vassos’ journey on The Golden Bachelorette has been an emotional one. Joan is searching for a second chance at love after losing her beloved husband of 32 years to pancreatic cancer. She was pulled away from her run on The Golden Bachelor due to a family emergency. Now, as the star of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan is feeling the weight of starting over while still mourning her late husband.
Joan’s season comes at a pivotal time for The Bachelor franchise, which has suffered a string of failed relationships. Most notably, Gerry Turner has been widely criticized after his starring role in The Golden Bachelor’s inaugural season. Gerry professed his love to multiple women, ultimately choosing to propose to Theresa Nist. Unfortunately, their fairytale romance did not have a happy ending, with Gerry shouldering most of the blame.
Gerry's Reputation Has Been Struggling
Viewers Turned Against Him After Theresa Nist Drama
Gerry has had dramatic highs and lows since first entering the spotlight. He was handsome, relatable, and became the face of The Golden Bachelor. The show was an instant hit and, according to The Hollywood Reporter, drew the largest audience in the franchise since 2020. But feelings toward Gerry began to shift when, just before the finale aired, a former girlfriend cast doubt on many of the claims Gerry made on the show, including that he hadn’t dated since losing his wife. He drew further criticism for leading on Theresa Nist and runner-up Leslie Fhima.
Gerry’s reputation then spiraled downward drastically when he ended his marriage to Theresa after three months. The couple were married in a lavish, televised ceremony in January. They announced their divorce in April, making their marriage the shortest in Bachelor history. Although they claimed to still love each other, Gerry and Theresa couldn't merge their lives after their wedding. They were at odds over where their family should be located, with each unwilling to move and uproot their own lives.
Gerry quickly went from a beloved figure to the franchise’s newest villain.
Viewers were confused as to why Gerry and Theresa didn’t hash out the details of their living situation before their marriage. Coupled with the claims that Gerry had lied about not having dated in 45 years, what had initially felt like the most authentic season in Bachelor history began to feel artificial. Gerry quickly went from a beloved figure to the franchise’s newest villain.
What Was Gerry's Purpose On The Golden Bachelorette?
His Appearance Felt Out Of Place
Gerry made an appearance on The Golden Bachelorette during a trying time for Joan. Joan was beginning to envision a future with many suitors but struggled with unexpected emotions. The dating process stirred up the pain of her husband’s death, and Joan pondered how to find new love while still honoring her first love.
Joan was thrilled to see Gerry because he had been in a similar situation. Although the loss of his spouse was not as fresh as Joan’s, Gerry knew how it felt to embark on a second quest for love. He and Joan bonded over the unique experience of looking for a partner who would fit into their existing families. Gerry reassured Joan that she could keep her late husband present while still envisioning her future.
Gerry also reminded Joan to trust herself and the process. He advised her to let go of her fear and allow herself to enjoy the journey. Like Gerry, Joan struggled with the weight of the many decisions ahead of her, and she was relieved to have her fears acknowledged.
Did Gerry's Cameo Do Him Any Good?
Gerry Was Attempting To Salvage His Reputation
Gerry’s appearance on the show was well-received by Joan, with his advice providing her with some much-needed reassurance. He brought his signature smooth-talking charisma and warmth to what could be his final television appearance. But while Joan was extremely grateful for Gerry’s advice, viewers may not react so favorably.
The decision to have Gerry appear on The Golden Bachelorette felt gratuitous considering the failure of his marriage. His encouragement may have been helpful to Joan, but it was ironic coming from somebody whose own season ended in such disaster. Gerry never mentioned Theresa or the outcome of their marriage, information that dramatically changed the credibility of his advice.
Gerry’s presence indicates producers are choosing to ignore the damage he has done to the franchise. By showing up and giving advice without the disclaimer that his marriage ended before it even began, Gerry’s words don’t feel genuine. He came across as desperate to salvage his reputation, an attempt that ended up hurting it further.
The Golden Bachelorette Shouldn't Have Featured Gerry
Joan Deserves To Remain In The Spotlight
The Golden Bachelorette brings a welcome change to the franchise. Unlike other Bachelor shows, The Golden Bachelorette has little drama and features contestants who are established, confident, and family-oriented. Many of them are moving forward after losing partners, and they are genuine in their search for love. Viewers can’t help but root for all the contestants to find lasting happiness.
Joan is avoiding the mistakes Gerry made and setting a new tone for the show.
Joan has worked hard to shake off the negative association Gerry gave the series. She is warm but also thoughtful and intentional. Joan revealed in an interview with Access Hollywood that, unlike Gerry, she is willing to entertain a long-distance relationship. She’s looking for somebody who has created a life they don’t want to give up, and she’s flexible in her plans for the future. By being up-front about her expectations, Joan is avoiding the mistakes Gerry made and setting a new tone for the show.
The Golden Bachelorette is Joan’s turn to shine, and Gerry shouldn’t have attempted to steal her spotlight. His appearance seems driven by his need to revitalize his image rather than a genuine desire to offer guidance as a mentor. Producers should be focusing on Joan and moving on from the problems Gerry caused, not continuing to give him a platform. Gerry needs to accept the reputation he created for himself and allow Joan to forge her own path.
