The Golden Bachelorette is only two weeks into its debut season, but Joan Vassos and her group of Golden Guys are already bracing for a major senior sporting event, emotional conversations about love and loss, and an unexpected visit from The Golden Bachelor‘s Gerry Turner.
After such an eventful Episode 3 teaser, we knew we couldn’t wait until Wednesday night to get the scoop on what The Golden Bachelorette has in store for viewers, so we hopped on a Zoom call with franchise host Jesse Palmer to get behind-the-scenes insights from the man who had a front row seat to Vassos’ late-in-life love story.
“I can’t speak on behalf of Joan, obviously. But she has gone on record and said that she’s very happy with the outcome, which makes me happy to hear.” Palmer told Decider. “No one’s as big a supporter of Joan as I am. But what I will say, is that it’s not easy, and she’s going to have a lot of really difficult decisions coming up…”
The Golden Bachelorette host, sports commentator, and former pro football player chatted with Decider about everything from his brand new clothing line and his thoughts on a potential Golden Bachelor in Paradise to reuniting with his OG Golden Guy Gerry Turner, judging The Golden Bachelorette‘s “competitive” kickball game, and “headwinds” that lie ahead in Vassos’ journey.
Read on for Decider’s full interview with Palmer, and be sure to check out our interview with Vassos and the rest of our Golden Bachelorette coverage as well.
Before we dive into The Golden Bachelorette, I know you have a new clothing line, J. Palmer. How meaningful was it to blend your love of high end fashion and football?
It meant a lot. It’s something very organic to me. My mom was a model and owned a modeling agency. I was around clothes a lot as a kid and that industry. And when I got to New York, it really just opened up my mind to it and really lit the fire. And I found a white space. As a former Giant and a former Gator I love repping my teams, but I felt like my only options were jerseys and really loud, colorful shirts with big block lettering. I was trying to find something that was a little bit more minimalist, but contemporary. And that’s how J. Palmer came to be. I’m so lucky to to partner up with Fanatics and create 13 curated essential pieces for guys. It’s not just athleisure wear, but also dress shirts, quarter zip sweaters, blazers. Some of the clothes you could wear to the gym or at home lounging, but you could also wear them to the office, to the boardroom. You could wear it to the bar after with the guys, or to the game. You could wear it on a date with your significant other. Versatility and functionality was really important to me. And guys who love their team, but they don’t want to sacrifice how they look.
Not that you need any advice, but I think a surefire way to make this line a hit is getting some pieces in Pascal’s closet. He seems to be The Golden Bachelorette‘s style icon.
[Laughs] Yes.
You have such a huge presence in the sports world, but for members of Bachelor Nation, some of your most iconic days in sports will always be when you’re judging in-show competitions like the kickball game we’re about to see on The Golden Bachelorette Episode 3. What can you tell us about that game? Some of those guys looked like they were really hurting.
They did. I am so impressed with how hard those guys went in the game. I totally thought they were just going to lay up, just try to get through it, and make it to the after party. They went all out. Dudes were diving in the dirt. They were whipping the ball at each other. I mean, I can’t promise nobody got hurt, and I can’t promise there wasn’t some blood spilled. But I was amazed. Joan was amazed. We were both just blown away by the level of competition and how competitive they were, because it really is a supportive group of guys. Of all the sporting events I’ve broadcasted or announced for Bachelor Nation, that might have been the best one. Honestly, I can’t wait for people to watch.
Well now I’m very excited. We also got a glimpse of Gerry Turner’s highly anticipated return ahead of Episode 3. Did you get to reunite with Gerry? What was it like getting to see your OG Golden Guy again?
I did! I did! It was a surprise. I didn’t know he was coming. I know Joan didn’t know he was coming. And it was this full circle moment, because I found myself out in front of the mansion talking to him, and we both started laughing, because we realized this is where we met. Like, literally on this step is where you and I met last season before his journey unfolded. So for me personally, it was very heartwarming and touching to have Gerry show up and to see him. People will obviously tune in and and find out what happens. But it was something that I had no idea was was going to happen.
Intriguing… Well Joan has so many great guys this season. I want to ask about one of my personal favorites: Mark Anderson. Joey was one of America’s greatest Bachelors and Kelsey seems like an angel, but this is really the first time you’ve had the chance to go beyond a season and get to know a winner’s parent on a deeper level. What has that experience been like for you?
It’s been incredible. I can say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and you can see why Kelsey’s as incredible as she is. Mark is such a stand-up guy. He’s way too handsome, first off. Aside from that, he’s just a very sweet, sweet man with who’s lived. He’s had a lot of experience. He’s had to overcome a lot in his life. He’s been an amazing father and rock for that family. And he just has so much to give. It’s easy to see, again, why America is just so taken by him. Anybody who comes in contact with Mark or has a chance to be around him, you can’t help but be amazed by the type of person he is. He’s a really, really special, special man. In the simplest terms, I’ll just put it that way: He’s very, very special.
When I spoke to Joan, she said that she can definitely see some of her Golden Bachelorette exes with her Golden Bachelor girls. Are you in favor of some sort of Golden Bachelor in Paradise? And are there any matches percolating in your mind?
Yes! Yes to all your questions. I think that would be an amazing idea. First off, it can’t be in Naples, Florida, or a retirement community. It has to be on a beach and in a tropical paradise type place. There has to be air conditioning. There has to be an open kitchen with a kitchen cam so Susan and Jack could just cook all the time. And I think it would be amazing. They might actually find love just through their love of the kitchen together, and their personalities. I think it would be great. I am all for that. If you know anybody who can make that happen, let’s do it. [Laughs]
Obviously with Joey and Jenn’s seasons, we saw two back-to-back unprecedented endings. I’ve heard from Joan already, but what can tease about the conclusion of her Golden Bachelorette journey?
I can’t speak on behalf of Joan, obviously. But she has gone on record and said that she’s very happy with the outcome, which makes me happy to hear. I love that. And no one’s as big a supporter of Joan as I am. But what I will say is that it’s not easy, and she’s going to have a lot of really difficult decisions coming up, not just because of the group of guys and how incredible they are, and trying to figure out who her person is and saying goodbye to some of the men. But I do think there are some tough and challenging questions that Joan’s going to come face to face with based on her own experiences, and based on where she is in her life, and what she really, really wants. I know things really started off really great, and she’s she’s got tremendous momentum at this point right now. But as we’ve seen on a lot of the journeys in the past, Joan is certainly no different. There are some headwinds coming. And it’s not easy.
