Guy Gansert, a fan favorite from The Golden Bachelorette, became one of Joan Vassos’ final two suitors, only to face the heartbreak of being sent home just before the finale in Tahiti. Now, Guy is reflecting on his time on the show, his feelings toward Joan, and whether he’s found closure after their emotional goodbye.
In a recent interview on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast, Guy opened up about the painful moment when he was eliminated. He recalled his shock when Joan knocked on his door for their final conversation. “I was just so happy to see her and excited,” he said, sharing how he had hoped Joan would tell him, “I think you’re my guy, and I’m gonna let the other guys go.” However, when the conversation turned to a goodbye, Guy was heartbroken but tried to hide his emotions. “I didn’t want her to feel bad because I love Joan. I absolutely love her, but I can’t be in love with her.”
Despite his deep feelings for Joan, Guy expressed that he holds no negative feelings toward her. “She has a heart of gold,” he said. “I can’t think or say anything negative about her.” He reassured Joan that he would be okay after their departure. “I said to her, ‘Please don’t worry about me.’”
When asked if seeing Joan with Chock Chapple provided any sense of closure, Guy admitted it did bring some clarity, although it didn’t come without reflection. “It made me understand what his M.O. was,” he said. “It made me question, should I have been more aggressive?” However, Guy explained that he stayed true to himself throughout the journey. “I wasn’t going to say things prematurely… I’ve got to be true to my heart.”
Regarding their current relationship, Guy explained that he’s at peace with how things unfolded. “Even though I didn’t ‘win,’ I won,” he said. “She allowed me to have that transformational journey, one that allowed me to realize I can truly love again.”
Guy also shared that he was prepared to see Joan during the After the Final Rose segment, where they briefly reunited. “I was happy to see her,” he said. “She did say some things that made me question her decision, but she picked Chock, and she’s got to go with her heart.” While he respects Joan’s choice, Guy admitted, “I really like Chock.”
When asked if he would return to the Bachelor franchise in the future, Guy was eager to answer. “Oh, absolutely, in a heartbeat,” he said. “Not a question.”
Although Guy didn’t find love with Joan, his journey on The Golden Bachelorette was transformative, giving him new insights into love and himself. As he looks back on the experience, it’s clear that Guy’s respect for Joan and her decision remains, even as he continues to move forward in his own life.
