Jonathan Rone’s time on The Golden Bachelorette ended just before the hometown visits, leaving fans heartbroken and wondering what went wrong. Despite the disappointing exit, the single father from Oakland, Iowa, has found love again and is sharing the story behind his departure and what’s next for him.
Disappointed by His Exit
Rone’s early departure from The Golden Bachelorette came as a surprise to many, especially since he felt he had been open and authentic with Joan Vassos. Reflecting on his exit, Rone admits he’s still not sure why he wasn’t chosen to join the final four. “I tried to reveal as much about myself as possible,” he said, mentioning his role as a single father of two. While some fans speculated that his parental status might have been a concern, Rone clarified that his children were not as young as viewers might have thought. His daughter is almost a senior in high school, and his son is in seventh grade.
Though disappointed, Rone appreciated the support from the fans and his local community back home, who rallied behind him once he returned to Iowa.
A Missed Opportunity to Share Oakland, Iowa
One of Rone’s biggest regrets was not being able to show Joan his small town of Oakland, Iowa, during the hometown visits. “I wanted her to see Oakland, Iowa,” he said. While he acknowledged that his town didn’t have the big-city allure of places like Chicago, he felt it was an important part of his life and identity. “That’s where I live, and that’s where I’m thriving,” he explained. Rone had hoped to introduce Joan to his children and show her the fatherly side of his life, which was a key part of his journey on the show.
New Love After ‘The Golden Bachelorette’
Though he didn’t find love with Joan, Rone quickly moved on and found a new relationship after the show. He met Michelle Zimmermann, his current girlfriend, through social media, and the two have been happily dating ever since. Rone describes her as a beautiful person inside and out, and their relationship has been going strong. Despite a mix-up between Oakland, Iowa, and Oakland, California, their connection was strong enough to overcome the initial confusion. Zimmermann, who is originally from Iowa, now lives in California, and the couple often visits each other. Rone even plans to spend Thanksgiving with her in California, marking another step in their growing relationship.
Not Interested in Being the ‘Golden Bachelor’
Though fans had speculated that Rone could be the next Golden Bachelor, he quickly put those rumors to rest. He clarified that his journey on The Golden Bachelorette wasn’t about positioning himself for future fame but about finding “a second chance at a forever love.” Now that he’s found that love with Michelle, he’s not interested in taking the Bachelor role, though he appreciates the continued support from fans.
What’s Next for Jonathan?
With his relationship with Michelle flourishing and his time on The Golden Bachelorette behind him, Rone’s focus is now on enjoying life and continuing to build a future with his new partner. As for the fans who still wonder about what could have been, Rone’s journey shows that sometimes, the right love comes when you least expect it.
