These Unlikely Golden Bachelor Nation Friends Are Capitalizing Off Each Other

Two unlikely alums from The Golden Bachelor Nation are not only friends but also capitalizing off each other. The Golden Bachelor season 1 premiered in Fall 2023, with The Golden Bachelorette season 1 following in Fall 2024. Now, Golden Bachelor Nation is poised to welcome lead Mel Owens as The Golden Bachelor for season 2.

The Bachelor Nation spinoffs have seen a ton of success, as have the cast members who participated in both shows. Many alums are friends, have made appearances on podcasts or at events together, or are currently competing in Bachelor In Paradise season 10.

The unlikely friendship that formed and has apparently continued, is between Leslie Fhima and Theresa Nist. They were Golden Bachelor season 1 lead Gerry Turner's runner-up and final choice, respectively. Gerry had blindsided Leslie, whom he told he was going to choose, when he ultimately dumped her for Theresa.

Theresa and Gerry ended up getting engaged and having a swift wedding, only to break up three months later due to long-distance woes and inability to blend their lives.

Now, two years after the drama for both women, Leslie and Theresa maintain a friendship, and they are both capitalizing on it. Leslie shared a few Instagram Stories where she was smiling alongside Theresa in Tahoe, California, and the two women were promoting the home-renting platform VRBO as well as Popworthy Podcasts.

What Leslie & Theresa's Continued Friendship Means

There's No Hard Feelings

Leslie and Theresa didn't interact much in The Golden Bachelor house, but they seem to have found solidarity in their shared experience. It wasn't Theresa's fault that Gerry wronged Leslie, and Theresa ended up in the same boat, estranged from Gerry.

Not only does their Tahoe hangout mean there are no hard feelings, but it also means the two women coordinate with one another and plan things together, signaling that they have a real friendship.

Their continued friendship is a good look for the Golden franchise, as most of the cast members within the spinoffs are well-liked, and news of their personal interactions with each other is heartwarming and popular news.

Our Take On Leslie & Theresa Capitalizing Off One Another

It's Mutually Beneficial

Leslie and Theresa's friendship serves a dual purpose: they can capitalize off each other's brand deals. Both women have fashioned themselves as influencers and content creators after their time within Bachelor Nation.

The fact that they can drop business promotions like VRBO and the podcast network together means they are doing well in the public eye. Leslie is currently on Bachelor in Paradise season 10, so any cross-spinoff promotions she can do have a lot of traction right now with her continued relevancy, and that also helps Theresa in the long run.

Leslie and Theresa's friendship seems genuine, and since they can both take advantage of their friendship, it's mutually beneficial, and they have The Golden Bachelor to thank for it.