Joan Vassos, the star of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, has opened up about what truly led her to join the Bachelor franchise—her late husband, John Vassos. Despite swirling rumors about trouble in her relationship with Chock Chapple, Joan recently shared that John’s words gave her the courage to seek love again.
Throughout The Golden Bachelorette, Joan and Chock’s deep connection stood out, but not everyone embraced their romance. Some fans found their bond intense, while others speculated about cracks in their relationship. However, Joan’s latest revelation about John’s encouragement sheds new light on her journey to finding love again.
Joan’s Late Husband Encouraged Her to Find Love Again
During a candid conversation on the Rogue Energy podcast with fellow Golden Bachelor alum Kathy Swarts, Joan reflected on her late husband’s battle with pancreatic cancer and how he influenced her decision to join the show.
When asked if she and John ever discussed remarriage, Joan revealed that before his passing in 2021, John made his wishes for her future crystal clear. “He said, ‘We had a wonderful life together… I want you to go on living. I want you to find somebody else.’”
John’s blessing helped Joan embrace the idea of moving forward, even though she would always love and cherish their life together.
How John’s Words Shaped Joan’s Golden Bachelorette Experience
Joan’s openness about her past has given fans a deeper understanding of her motivations. Many assumed she hadn’t been thinking about love until she joined the Bachelor franchise, but in reality, she had been considering it for much longer.
Losing John was a devastating chapter in Joan’s life, but she entered The Golden Bachelorette with an open heart. Knowing that John wanted her to find happiness again gave her the confidence to fully embrace the experience. It also helped her bond with Chock, who had experienced similar heartbreak after losing his fiancée, Kathy, to brain cancer in 2022.
Rather than holding her back, Joan’s love for John became a source of strength, allowing her to pursue a future with someone new without guilt.
What This Means for Joan & Chock’s Relationship
Joan’s relationship with John has always been a guiding force in her life, and she made it clear to Chock from the beginning that she was looking to move forward—not dwell in the past.
While rumors about trouble between Joan and Chock continue to swirl, it’s important to recognize that their connection was built on mutual understanding, shared loss, and the desire to embrace life again. John’s encouragement allowed Joan to take her search for love seriously, making her journey on The Golden Bachelorette more meaningful than many realized.
Whether Joan and Chock’s relationship stands the test of time remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—her journey was never about replacing John. It was about honoring his wish for her to keep living, loving, and embracing the future.
