Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple may be happily engaged, but their journey on The Golden Bachelorette wasn’t without its challenges—especially after the cameras stopped rolling. While their love story played out for audiences, Chock struggled with one uncomfortable reality: watching Joan build connections with other men.
Chock’s Honest Reaction to Watching Joan Date Other Men
In a recent Us Weekly interview, Joan opened up about a challenge many Bachelor franchise couples face—reliving their season on TV. Using The Bachelor season 29 lead Grant Ellis as an example, she explained how difficult it is for the final choice to watch their partner form relationships with other contestants.
“I feel like now that it’s all airing, this is a particularly hard time on the relationship,” Joan shared. “If [Grant] picks somebody… it’s hard to watch your person be with all these other people. Even if you know this was what you signed up for, and he picked you, it’s still hard to watch.”
Joan revealed that Chock, despite his confidence, also found parts of their season difficult to watch. “Even someone like Chock, who’s super confident, there were a few episodes where he was like, ‘Yeah, I didn’t love that. I didn’t love that at all.’”
While the show didn’t fabricate anything, Joan acknowledged how editing shapes the story. “They don’t make things happen that didn’t happen, but they choose what to show or not show to promote a storyline,” she explained. “Sometimes it’s hard on the lead and the person they chose.”
From On-Screen Romance to Real-Life Commitment
Although watching Joan with other men was tough, Chock could take comfort in the fact that she was drawn to him from the very start. Their first one-on-one date set the stage for a strong connection, and when Chock had to leave the show due to his mother’s passing, Joan was devastated. When he returned, their bond only deepened, leading to an emotional Fantasy Suite date and an early breakup with runner-up Guy Gansert.
Despite the occasional awkward moments, Chock saw firsthand that Joan had eyes for him all along.
Navigating a Reality TV Romance in the Real World
Long-distance relationships often fuel breakup rumors, and Joan and Chock’s situation is no different. However, the couple is planning to move to New York City together while maintaining their homes in Rockville, Maryland, and Wichita, Kansas. Their approach shows they are building their future on their own terms—without the pressure of moving too fast.
Joan’s experience also highlights the unique struggles Bachelor franchise couples face. Many contestants hear “I love you” from the lead, only to later learn they weren’t the final choice. Joan made a deliberate decision not to say those words to multiple men, making her commitment to Chock even clearer.
Reality TV Editing vs. Real Love
As Joan pointed out, reality TV editing plays a major role in how relationships are perceived. The Bachelor season 29 preview suggests that Grant Ellis is torn between his final two women, but Joan cautions that this could simply be clever editing.
With her level-headed approach, Joan has become a role model for navigating a Bachelor-style romance. If Grant needs advice on handling the emotional aftermath of his season, he’d be wise to turn to her.
For Joan and Chock, their love story is still unfolding—this time, without cameras dictating the narrative.
