With the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette on the horizon, it's a good time to talk about what went wrong between Joan Vassos and Mark Anderson. Joan, a 61-year-old private school administrator, made her television debut during The Golden Bachelor season 1, alongside 21 other eligible older women who were competing for Gerry Turner's final rose. Though Gerry and Joan had a strong connection, she left the season early due to a family emergency.
Despite the fact that Joan was only on the show for a few weeks, she made a real impression, and Joan was cast as The Golden Bachelorette. Among the 24 amazing older men vying for Joan's heart this season is 57-year-old Mark. Mark made his television debut during The Bachelor season 28, when his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, brought Joey Graziadei home for her hometown date. Though fans were rooting for the Bachelor Nation couple, it has been revealed that Mark is not the man that Joan chooses.
Sparks Flew When Joan And Mark Met
Instant Chemistry
Bachelor Nation On ABC (via YouTube) recently released a trailer for The Bachelorette season 1. The clip begins with 26-year-old Kelsey stepping out of the limousine on night one and telling Joan that there's someone she'd like to introduce her to. When Mark stepped out of the limousine, Joan beamed, expressing real excitement over meeting the tall, handsome fellow widower. Though Joan seemed truly excited about meeting Kelsey's father, the reality television reporter Reality Steve revealed that Mark was not one of Joan's final two men.
Joan & Mark Have So Much In Common
They're Both Widowers
Long before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1 and The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years - he passed away in 2021. For his part, Mark was married to Kelsey's mother, Denise Anderson, for 18 years. She passed away in 2018.
Denise was diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer and died after only two months, while Joan's husband died of pancreatic cancer.
Being widowers and single parents who lost spouses to cancer should have brought Mark and Joan together, but it apparently wasn't enough.
Mark Could Be The Next Golden Bachelor
He Deserves A Second Shot At Love
They say that when one door closes, another opens, and that may be how things end up working out for Mark. Though Mark didn't win Joan's heart on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, he could be cast as The Golden Bachelor season 2. Mark is a fan favorite and Bachelor Nation audiences would be thrilled to welcome him as the spin-off's next lead.
|
Contestant |
Age |
Occupation |
Hometown |
|
Bill |
68 |
Videographer |
Portland, OR |
|
Bob |
66 |
Chiropractor |
Marina del Rey, CA |
|
Charles K |
62 |
Portfolio manager |
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA |
|
Charles L |
66 |
Retired Financial Analyst |
Philadelphia, PA |
|
Chock |
60 |
Insurance exec |
Wichita, KA |
|
Christopher |
63 |
Contractor |
West Babylon, N.Y. |
|
Dan |
64 |
Private Investor |
Naples, FL |
|
David |
68 |
Rancher |
Austin, TX |
|
Gary |
65 |
Retired finance executive |
Palm Desert, CA |
|
Gil |
60 |
Educator |
Mission Viejo, CA |
|
Gregg |
64 |
Retired university vice president |
Longboat Key, FL |
|
Guy |
66 |
ER doctor |
Reno, NV |
|
Jack |
68 |
Caterer |
Chicago, Ill. |
|
Jonathan |
61 |
Shipping consultant |
Oakland, Iowa |
|
Jordan |
61 |
Sales manager |
Chicago, Ill. |
|
Keith |
61 |
Girl dad |
San Jose, CA. |
|
Ken |
60 |
Property management treasurer |
Peabody, Mass. |
|
Kim |
69 |
Retired Navy captain |
Seattle, Wash. |
|
Mark |
57 |
Army veteran |
Leesville, LA |
|
Michael |
65 |
Retired banking CEO |
Denver, N.C. |
|
Pablo |
63 |
Retired UN Agency director |
Cambridge, Md. |
|
Pascal |
69 |
Salon Owner |
Chicago, Ill. |
|
RJ |
66 |
Financial adviser |
Irvine, Ca. |
|
Thomas |
62 |
FDNY Chief |
New York, N.Y. |
The Golden Bachelorette season 1 premiered on September 18, 2024, on ABC.
