The Golden Bachelorette contestant Pascal Ibgui was the most authentic cast member of the season and should be the next Golden Bachelor despite his current controversy over calling Chock Chapple a "stalker." Pascal was one of 24 men vying for Joan Vassos' heart in The Golden Bachelorette season 1. He made it all the way to the Fantasy Suite dates, which took place on the island of Moorea in Tahiti. Joan met Pascal's family and employees in Chicago during the hometown dates as well.
However, despite their obvious connection and Joan's interest, Pascal self-eliminated, breaking Joan's heart. Joan had sensed that Pascal had put up a wall, and Pascal confirmed that he was being reserved in his pursuit of Joan. When he ended things with Joan, he cited not being able to open his heart fully to her after doing a lot of self-reflection. Post-show, Pascal gave an interview commenting on Chock's courting of Joan, and his words caused controversy. But Pascal's comments are overshadowed by his actions after, and how he presented himself on the show.
Pascal Was Honest With Himself
& With Joan
Pascal immediately caught Joan's attention when they first met, as she loved his confidence and accent. He was an early choice for a coveted one-on-one date. Joan whisked Pascal off to Las Vegas for a day and evening. Pascal showed Joan his classy side and also opened up about his vulnerabilities and difficult childhood. During the group dates, Pascal was not as outgoing and driven to secure alone time and conversation with Joan, which he told her was not part of his personality.
When Joan met Pascal's friends, family, and employees, she became more smitten with him. However, he did reiterate to Joan that he did not want to get hurt in the process of finding love with her. That gave Joan hesitation, but she did know that Pascal was being honest with himself and her. In Tahiti, Pascal had an obvious heavy heart, and when they sat down for their final dinner where Pascal self-eliminated (via Bachelor Nation), Pascal was once again being open about his reservations and inability to continue, signaling his authenticity.
Pascal's Chock Stalker Comment Controversy Explained
Pascal Has Apologized
After Pascal left the show on his own accord and did an interview with Glamour magazine while the show was airing, he talked about Chock, Joan's ultimate winner, in regard to the group bowling date. During the date, Chock could not keep away from Joan, and didn't give the other guys a chance at time with her during the event. When speaking about Chock's demeanor and behavior on that date, Pascal made contentious comments.
"Oh my god, let’s just be realistic. We are mature men. We’ve been through some marriage, some divorce. We had our struggles and our pain and anxiety, and it’s not that easy to say 'I’m in love.' Chock was all over her to the point where he was [like a] stalker."
Pascal expanded, "I mean, it was like, 'I love you, let’s leave. Let’s do this, let’s do that.' And, 'Which side of the bed are you sleeping on?' It’s bizarre behavior. I don’t know. 'I can’t wait to be with you. I feel my love with you.' Maybe in Wichita there is no women. I don’t know." Pascal's comments landed him in hot water, but he later apologized to Chock, Joan, and Bachelor fans for how his message came across. Pascal taking responsibility for his words shows his maturity and willingness to admit when he's wrong.
Pascal Would Fit The Golden Bachelor Role
& Draw More Interest With His Controversial Status
69-year-old Pascal has built a successful life for himself and demonstrated his willingness to do the work he identified to help him be where he needs to be to find his special person. Pascal has a loving, close group of people around him, and that is the kind of support and background he needs to be a leading man in the Bachelor franchise.
The controversy surrounding him regarding his Chock "stalker" comments and his subsequent apology garnered him a lot of attention, but he could use that attention for good were he to be chosen as the next Golden Bachelor .
Pascal showed his funny and worldly side in The Golden Bachelorette, and it resonated with a lot of viewers, and Joan, who all found him charming. Pascal's Chock comments show that he isn't afraid to speak his mind, but his apology relays that he is capable of self-reflection and remorse. The next Golden Bachelor has yet to be named, but Pascal should be a front-runner for the position given Bachelor fans' interest in him despite his wayward comments.
The Golden Bachelorette season 1 is available to stream on Hulu.
