The Golden Bachelor: Gerry Turner's Rise To Fame & Downfall Explained (How He Went From Hero To Zero With Clout Chasing, Indiana Joke & More)

The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner has struggled with his reputation after the series, but his meteoric rise to fame and sudden fall from grace after the show has been confusing for many. Gerry, one of the few Bachelor Nation leads who wasn’t chosen from a previous season, was cast as The Golden Bachelor for the Bachelor Nation spin-off series’ inaugural season. While The Golden Bachelor season 1 was a first for the franchise, the way that Gerry came to the show was an excitingly different practice than Bachelor Nation had gotten used to, as he was virtually unknown before.

Gerry’s time as The Golden Bachelor wasn’t necessarily easy for the Indiana native. Having to date for what audiences believed was the first time since the passing of his wife and doing it so publicly wasn’t something he could prepare for, even with advice and support from other Bachelor Nation alumni. Despite it being difficult, Gerry seemed to work well within the confines of being The Golden Bachelor. His charming charisma was refreshing for Bachelor Nation and seemed to work well with the charismatic cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1. After the show, however, Gerry’s reputation took a nosedive.

Gerry Seemed Like A Dream Man At First

He Was Charming & Vulnerable

Gerry’s time as The Golden Bachelor started off without a hitch. While he was introduced to Bachelor Nation throughout the weeks leading up to the show’s premiere, Gerry was relatively unknown ahead of the premiere of the series. During Gerry’s introduction to Bachelor Nation, he was revealed to be a sweet, smooth-talking grandfather who had suffered a tragic loss. Years earlier, Gerry had lost his late wife after nearly 40 years together, which he said left him prepared to swear off dating.

Gerry’s time with the women of The Golden Bachelor sold his dream man persona easily. While Gerry wasn’t always able to say the right thing at the right moment, he was always open, honest, and vulnerable with the women of the cast. His ability to connect with the ladies of The Golden Bachelor was incredible to see, and many were curious about how Gerry was able to be so emotionally authentic on the show without any background in reality TV.

Gerry Began To Show His True Colors

The Illusion Began To Fall Apart

The illusion of Gerry’s good guy persona began to fall apart just days before the season’s end. Gerry’s ex-girlfriend came out of the woodwork to expose him as a poor partner who’d been lying to Bachelor Nation entirely, sharing that she’d dated him for years after his wife died. While Gerry’s persona was being blown up, his engagement to Theresa Nist was being announced on the series. The pair tried to repair Gerry’s reputation together, but things quickly began to crumble for the couple, who got married and divorced within 6 months of The Golden Bachelor’s finale.

Gerry's Post-Show Antics Didn't Really Go Over

He’s Been Difficult To Keep Excusing

Although Gerry has been doing his best to dispel the rumors about his life before The Golden Bachelor and his difficulties since, Bachelor Nation isn’t enjoying him as much after the show. Gerry tried to make light of his home state of Indiana after rumors circulated that it was why he and Theresa divorced, but it fell flat. In other moments, he’s unsuccessfully tried to call out the Bachelor Nation viewers who have been critical of him. Unfortunately, Gerry has taken a serious nosedive after The Golden Bachelor, and viewers aren’t interested in giving him the benefit of the doubt.