It’s safe to say Gary Levingston enjoyed his summer more than most of his fellow desert residents — mostly because he was off filming a reality show rather than baking in the 110-degree heat like the rest of us.
Levingston, 65, was one of the 24 men who moved into the famed “Bachelor” mansion in Agoura Hills in June to meet Joan Vassos, the lead of the latest “Bachelor” spinoff, “The Golden Bachelorette.”
He made viewers’ hearts melt during week one when, for his grand entrance, he stepped out of the limo and immediately took Vassos’ hands to start dancing in the driveway, joking about how he’s “that guy.” He later teared up after watching a video from his daughter and grandson encouraging him to “be himself” during this “once-in-a-lifetime experience” appearing on the show.
During this week’s episode, he got to know Vassos even better at a prom-themed group date during which he donned a sparkly golden jacket, was the first one on the dance floor and played ring toss with Vassos.
The Palm Desert local even got to speak to the “Golden Bachelorette” about his late godmother, renowned singer Tina Turner.
“Nothing like she was on stage,” Levingston responded when Vassos asked him what Turner was like, before the show’s editors cut to a shot of the pair hitting the dance floor together.
Later in the episode before the rose ceremony, the two talked about the importance of family, and Levingston shared how much he’s enjoyed “getting involved in the coaching” of his grandchildren’s sports teams.
“I’m looking for a wife, I don’t want a girlfriend anymore — those days are long gone,” he said in his confessional. “If it’s Joan, I’m humbled that we’re on this journey.”
Levingston also received a special gift from Vassos in the episode: a framed version of their “prom portrait” from the group date. He appeared truly moved by the present, clutching it tight to his heart and thanking Vassos, who he now calls “sunshine” (she started calling him “goldie,” seemingly because of his choice of jacket for the date).
“The thought that she put into giving this to me as a gift … I said I wasn’t going to cry, but it does mean a lot to me. It really does,” Levingston said to the camera in his confessional.
Levingston received a rose at the end of the episode, meaning we’ll see the desert local return to our screens for next week’s episode.
