Gerry Turner may have found his happily ever after on “The Golden Bachelor,” but not before he got engaged to contestant Theresa Nist in a less than optimistic light.
On Wednesday, the day before the highly anticipated finale, The Hollywood Reporter highlighted inconsistencies in Turner’s portrayal on the reality show, mainly regarding his work history and dating life. he.
Turner, 72, is currently dealing with multiple unfavorable allegations against him, mainly from a woman claiming to be his ex-girlfriend. He said there was “enough truth” in the article to make it cause a negative reaction.
‘Golden Bachelor’ GERRY TURNER JOINS: WHO IS THERESA NIST
Gerry Turner, star of “The Golden Bachelor,” wants to enjoy his engagement to Theresa Nist rather than discuss his ex “Carolyn”’s claims to The Hollywood Reporter. (Beautiful images)
“The comments about what I did later in life, you know, hot tubs… some of the mentally challenging things – I did those after I retired,” Turner told Katie Couric. ”. “I retired at 55 and didn’t want to do anything. So I’m happy to give back to the community, doing something valuable for others.”
A product of “The Bachelor” franchise, “Golden Bachelor” is the first season to feature high-ranking contestants, with Turner as the lead. Described as a retired restaurateur, THR noticed discrepancies on Turner’s LinkedIn profile, including work in hot tub maintenance and installation at a medical center in the Davenport area.
Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner appear as an engaged couple on “Golden Bachelor’s” next live performance. (John Fleenor/Disney via Getty Images)
“I don’t really do chores to make money,” Turner continued. I do it because I know I’m doing something good for people in need.” “That was a pretty funny part of that article. There is enough truth in it, but the fact that it is now does not interest me. I have so many positive things I have to think about that I haven’t put out that article yet.” a lot of thinking,” he told Couric. He made a similar point to The New York Times, saying he was just giving THR’s article a “confused look.”
“I guess I haven’t really looked at its accuracy,” he told the outlet. “I looked at it more in terms of timing and how it really doesn’t fit with all the positive things going on in my life right now,” he said. “I mean, I’m sitting across from Theresa, and I look at her and she’s the love of my life. And I don’t really have time to think about some other things,” he added.
That’s the interesting part of that article. There is enough truth in it, but the reality is that now it is no longer something I care about.
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist kiss during the series premiere of “The Golden Bachelor.” (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
In a separate interview with the Los Angeles Times, Turner said much the same thing. “My only answer is that I have a lot of positive things in my life right now. I have the wonderful love of Theresa, my life partner. I don’t have time to ponder comments like this. I’m happy to look forward to it. “
In their conversation with Couric, Turner and Nist questioned the claims of Turner’s ex, using the pseudonym Carolyn for privacy reasons. Carolyn said her relationship with Turner began just three months after his wife, Toni, passed away. She moved into his house in Indiana after 10 months together and a relationship that lasted nearly three years.
Gerry Turner is surrounded by the leading ladies in his life – his two daughters and his niece – in a promotional photo for the first season of “The Bachelor.” (Brian Bowen Smith/ABC via Getty Images)
“It really doesn’t,” Turner told Couric. “I want to focus on what’s happening now. What matters to me is where I am today. And looking back on those things, for me, there was no point,” he emphasized. Turner clarified that he has in fact dated a number of women,” like “any guy.”
“The issue is how do you determine whether you are in a relationship or not,” he told Couric.
Gerry Turner, 72 years old, denied the accusations of a woman claiming to be his ex-lover. (Craig Sjodin/ABC/Getty Images)
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Carolyn went on to make several other serious allegations against Turner, including that he had made unflattering comments about her weight. Packing for her high school reunion in October 2019, Turner told Carolyn, “I wouldn’t take you to a reunion like that.” She has gained 10 pounds due to stress.
That was said to be the catalyst for their breakup, when Turner told Carolyn she had to leave their house in early 2020. Carolyn said that while she was packing her things, she fell off a bridge stairs and had to go to the hospital. . When Turner returned home, he accused her of fabricating the fall in an attempt to prolong her stay. Refusing to let her stay, Carolyn was forced to go to the hotel.
Gerry Turner proposed to Theresa Nist in Costa Rica during the “Bachelorette” season finale. (ABC)
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Nist told Couric that she was undeterred by what she read about her new fiance in the THR article. “He discussed his past with me,” she said. “I trust Gerry completely and we really know each other.”
Turner said some of the backlash he received became fuel. “The funniest thing I ever had was reading some of the negative conversations and comments,” he told Couric. “All the way from me being a recovering alcoholic to having had [a] spray tan, to covering my ears, which I thought was really funny,” he said of the rumors that he has faced so far. “So this falls into that category. Everyone will have their opinion and there is no way to change that. What I know is true and what [Theresa and I] discussed is really the only important part to me.”
ABC representatives did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
