Bring on the roses and romance, because it’s time for the inaugural season of “The Golden Bachelorette,” and a retired banking exec from North Carolina is one of the suitors looking for a love connection.
After the wildly popular first season of “The Golden Bachelor” last fall, ABC is bringing back another iteration of the dating show, this time with a woman in the lead role.
Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old school administrator and grandmother from Maryland, is looking for love a second time around. Vassos, a widow, was one of the women who formed a strong connection with Gerry Turner on “The Golden Bachelor,” but before she could let their relationship develop more, she left to care for her daughter at home.
Now, Vassos is giving reality dating another shot and will meet two dozen men who think age is just a number. The cast includes Michael Stevens of Denver, North Carolina.
But only time will tell if the two hit it off.
As the only North Carolinian on the show — joining the long list of contestants with connections to the Tar Heel state — we’ll be tuning in to recap his journey.
So how did it go when he finally came face to face with the show’s leading lady?
Spoiler alert: Here’s what happened during the premiere episode and who got eliminated.
WHO IS MICHAEL?
Michael Stevens, 65, is originally from Illinois but now lives in the Lake Norman area.
According to his Facebook page, the Northwestern University alum was formerly CEO of NBE Bancshares Inc. and CEO of Pioneer State Bank, S&P Global reported.
Aside from his professional career in banking, he’s also a self-proclaimed Swiftie and music festival fan who went to Lollapalooza three times in his 50s.
Michael’s first impression with Joan
Like many of the other contestants, Michael seemed a little nervous but also very eager to meet Joan.
“My heart is about ready to jump out of my chest and roll down that driveway,” he told her after exiting the limo.
But after having gone through the process herself, she remembers the feeling in their shoes telling producers: “I know how it feels to give up everything to do this journey.”
After an array of silly and sincere limo entrances — many with ‘dad jokes’ and even a surprise visit from ‘The Bachelor’ Season 28’s Kelsey Anderson who introduced her dad — it was time for the cocktail party begin.
Soon, the group of guys even took part in a pickup pickleball game with Joan.
“It’s a great group of guys,” Michael tells producers. “We’re all here for the same reasons.”
The men took turns getting to know Joan, with some turning to creative icebreakers. Jack, a caterer, made her a restaurant-worthy meal. Another had a cup of tea with her while still another raced her while she was on a scooter. Keith played cornhole with Joan, and earned himself the first-impression rose.
As for Michael, he didn’t get a lot of screen time. His alone time with Joan was shown briefly. He joked that he brought his third-grade book report on “Go, Dog, Go,” but ultimately shared with her photos of his gardens while talking about his love for plants.
“I felt a connection right away, so getting the first impression rose would be amazing,” Michael told producers. “I don’t want to get over my skis on this, because I’m competing with all these guys, so who knows?”
Well wishes from home
Ending the party on a high — and very emotional — note, some of the contestants were surprised with home videos from their loved ones before the rose ceremony, including Michael. Many of the men were in tears as their loved ones cheered them on their efforts to find love.
“Dad, listen, we know you’re nervous, but we also know that you’re kind, you’re smart, you’re genuine, you’re witty. Joan is going to see those traits immediately,” his son said in a video played in front of the group.
Did Michael get a rose from Joan?
Going into the rose ceremony, Michael was nervous about getting sent home.
“I feel like I definitely put my best food forward in getting a rose tonight. I’m not going to lie, I’ll be disappointed if I don’t,” he told producers before the rose ceremony. “But I also understand it’s completely up to her.”
Though he didn’t get the first impression rose from Joan (which was given to “girl dad” Keith), Michael did get the second-to-last rose after the ceremony was put on pause when Joan wanted to take a break before making the difficult decision on who to send home.
Who got eliminated during the rose ceremony?
Of the 24 men that started out this season, here’s who did not receive a rose:
– Bill
– David
– Ken
– Pablo
– RJ
– Thomas
