Rob Lowe has a golden sense of humor when it comes to fan admiration—especially from The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos.
During an October 16 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Joan Vassos, star of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette, opened up about a long-standing celebrity crush on Rob Lowe. Recalling her days as an extra on the set of St. Elmo’s Fire in 1985, Joan confessed that meeting Lowe left a lasting impression.
“I’ve had this huge celebrity crush on Rob Lowe ever since,” Joan, 61, revealed. When host Jimmy Kimmel asked if she would trade her chosen finalist for the Hollywood star, she quickly replied, “Like, in one second!”
Rob Lowe’s Hilarious Response
Rob Lowe, 60, addressed Joan’s candid admission in a playful Instagram video on November 13, just hours before the finale of The Golden Bachelorette. In the video, Lowe watches the clip of Joan’s interview before looking at the camera and exclaiming, “I could be The Golden Bachelor!”
He continued the joke by saying, “That’s better than a Golden Globe — I think,” referencing his decades-long career and many accolades. Lowe, who has been married to his wife Sheryl Berkoff since 1991, captioned the post, “Excited for the finale!” while tagging Joan and the show’s accounts.
Joan’s Journey Through Grief and Love
Joan’s time on The Golden Bachelorette wasn’t just about finding love; it was also about navigating grief and rediscovering her capacity to move forward after the loss of her husband, John, to cancer.
Throughout the season, Joan grappled with feelings of guilt over falling for someone new. Speaking to PEOPLE, she shared how the show’s mental health resources helped her process her emotions.
“They told me, ‘Picture it like you have a balloon in each hand. One represents John, and the other represents this new person. You don’t have to let go of one to hold onto the other,’” Joan said. “I just needed to hear that it was okay to love John and still open my heart to someone else.”
Finding the Strength to Move On
The show’s structured format and accelerated timeline pushed Joan to confront her fears head-on. She admitted, “I came in thinking I was ready for love but realized it was a very different journey than I had anticipated. This experience motivated me to work through my emotions quickly because I truly wanted to find someone to share my life with.”
By the finale, Joan felt she had grown tremendously and found clarity about her feelings. She ultimately gave her final rose to Chock Chapple, who proposed with a stunning diamond ring. The couple has since been inseparable, taking their time to build a strong foundation for their future together.
A Heartfelt Ending and a Playful Crush
For Joan, the journey ended with her feeling fulfilled and exactly where she was meant to be. Yet, her playful crush on Rob Lowe adds a lighthearted twist to her heartfelt story, showing that even amidst serious emotions, there’s room for a bit of fun and fantasy.
As for Lowe, his humorous response proves he’s a good sport when it comes to being a fan favorite. While he may not be ready to join the reality TV world just yet, his connection with Joan has left fans wondering: Could Rob Lowe be the next Golden Bachelor?
