The Golden Bachelorette: I'm Shocked That Joan Vassos And Chock Chapple Are Still Together (Was I Wrong About Their Showmance?)
When Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple got engaged at the end of The Golden Bachelorette, I was convinced that they wouldn't last. My cynical outlook was influenced by the stunning failure of the first Golden Bachelor couple. 72-year-old Gerry Turner and 70-year-old Theresa Nist got married after The Golden Bachelor season 1, but their marriage only lasted for three months. I was sure that 61-year-old Joan and 60-year-old Chock were doomed to the same fate, but maybe I wasn't being fair to Joan and Chock. Perhaps I needed to see past the precedent set by Gerry and Theresa.
Joan, a private school administrator from Maryland, made her television debut during The Golden Bachelor season1, but things didn't work out between her and Gerry. She was cast as The Golden Bachelorette and kicked off the spin-off's inaugural season by greeting 24 single Golden men from all over the United States. When all was said and done, Joan gave her final rose to Chock, and he promptly slipped a diamond engagement ring on her finger. I was initially convinced that Joan and Chock were in a completely manufactured showmance, but I'm starting to change my cynical mind.
Why I Thought Joan & Chock Were A Showmance
They Could Be The Real Deal
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When Gerry and Theresa got engaged during The Golden Bachelor season 1 finale, I was convinced they'd be together forever. Like many viewers, I got carried away by the show's premise. It was the first unscripted dating show to focus on the love lives of senior citizens, and I loved the idea of seeing widowers and divorcees find another chance at love. I was one of millions of viewers who tuned in when ABC aired the star-studded Golden Bachelor wedding. Gerry and Theresa had the whole world rooting for them.
With the wedding coming so quickly on the heels of the engagement, I was definitely concerned that Gerry and Theresa were rushing into things, but I wanted to believe otherwise. When Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce, I was disappointed, but I wasn't surprised. The truth is, being disappointed by Gerry and Theresa has made me less likely to believe that Joan and Chock truly fell in love during The Golden Bachelorette season 1. That being said, unlike Gerry and Theresa, Joan and Chock won't rush into anything, which makes me think I could be wrong about them.
Joan & Chock Are Blissfully Happy
They've Both Been Through So Much
Since leaving the iconic Bachelor mansion, Joan and Chock have appeared to be blissfully happy. It's nice to see, especially considering how much they've both been through over the years. Before appearing in The Golden Bachelor, Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years before he passed away in 2021. Before Chock joined the cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, he was engaged to Katherine Goree for nine years, until she passed in 2022.
Their shared sense of loss was one of the things that bonded Joan and Chock early during the season.
On top of losing his fiancée, Chock lost his mother while filming the show. He had to leave The Golden Bachelorette season 1 to go be with his family. Though it was unclear if he'd return, Chock came back by the end of the very same episode. Seeing how deeply devoted Chock was to Joan went a long way towards changing my mind about their relationship. Seeing how happy they've been since leaving the show is what really convinced me that they're a much better couple than Gerry and Theresa ever were.
Another Golden Bachelor Wedding In 2025?
No Reason To Rush
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After getting engaged on The Golden Bachelorette season 1 finale, Joan and Chock gave an interview to Life & Style, where they made it clear that they were in no rush to get married. Since they were strangers before meeting on The Golden Bachelorette, they wanted to take their time getting to know each other. They're being far more careful and intentional than Gerry and Theresa ever were, which is such a good sign. Though many fans are clamoring for another Bachelor Wedding, I strongly believe that Joan and Chock are actually doing the right thing by waiting.
