Mark Anderson is a standout contestant on The Golden Bachelorette, but I don’t think he’ll make a good lead for The Golden Bachelor. Captivating The Golden Bachelorette lead Joan Vassos and viewers with his sincerity and life story, Mark is an early season star. A 57-year-old former Army serviceman from Louisiana, Mark is compassionate and genuine at every turn. Notably, he’s the youngest contestant remaining on the show and also the father of The Bachelor season 28 winner Kelsey Anderson. Regardless, he’s not the right choice for The Golden Bachelor if he doesn’t win.
Mark hasn’t emerged as a front-runner on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, but Joan is missing out. Since he was introduced as Kelsey’s father on The Bachelor season 28, Mark’s backstory resonates deeply with audiences. His wife passed away in 2018 after a long battle with cancer, and this personal tragedy has shaped his outlook. Mark could either win Joan’s heart or potentially become the next lead for The Golden Bachelor, but he shouldn’t. His connection with Joan seems strong, but if he doesn’t win, I think he should step away from The Bachelor franchise.
Mark Doesn’t Seem Ready To Get Married
He Needs More Time To Heal
Despite Mark’s genuine and kind demeanor towards Joan on The Golden Bachelorette, I don’t think he’s quite ready for marriage again, especially in such a public way. He has a lot of emotional baggage from his past. He lost his wife, Denise, to cancer in 2018 after an 18-year marriage, and that grief still lingers. It was a topic of conversation when Joey Graziadei visited Kelsey’s family on their hometown date, and Denise’s memory still hangs over Mark’s interactions with Joan.
This profound loss has affected his readiness to move forward with another serious commitment, especially one being so heavily scrutinized by the public eye. Despite being admired for his resilience, it seems he might still be working through his healing process and could need more time before he’s truly ready for marriage. However, maybe Joan’s the one to help him through that. Joan deserves to be with someone willing to fully give himself to her.
Other Men From The Golden Bachelorette Might Be More Deserving
There Are Better Choices In The Cast
While Mark has been getting a lot of attention during his time on The Golden Bachelorette, other men might be more deserving of The Golden Bachelor lead if they don’t win Joan’s season. Chock Chapple threatened to leave The Golden Bachelorette, but his chemistry with Joan is undeniable. It’s unclear whether he’ll leave, but he could be a good choice.
Charles Ling has also emerged as one of the top fan favorites on The Golden Bachelorette. Viewers are drawn to his charm, kindness, and deeply emotional backstory as another contestant who tragically lost his wife. His interactions with Joan have been heartfelt, including his touching tea time during the premiere. Since he’s so captivating and was eliminated too soon, he could be a good choice.
Pascal Ibgui is also a solid option for The Golden Bachelor. He’s likely to make it far in the season, but if he doesn’t win, Pascal doesn’t have the emotional baggage Mark is saddled with. This could make Pascal a great option for The Golden Bachelor, especially if fans get to know him better throughout The Golden Bachelorette.
Will His Daughter Kelsey Even Want Him To Be The Golden Bachelor?
She Might Want To Protect Him
While Mark’s daughter, The Bachelor season 28 winner Kelsey, supported his appearance on The Golden Bachelorette, I’m not sure if Kelsey would even want her dad to star in The Golden Bachelor. She only lost her mother a few years ago, and it could be too emotional to watch her father pick from over a dozen women. In The Golden Bachelorette, he’s one of many men competing for one woman’s heart, which feels more wholesome. He’d be engaging in relationships with multiple women at the same time if he appeared on The Golden Bachelor.
Kelsey supports her father, but she also might want to protect him from further heartbreak.
Additionally, Kelsey knows what it’s like to be under intense scrutiny and experience drama on The Bachelor franchise. She might want to spare her father from the same emotional rollercoaster she experienced on reality TV. While he could make it far on The Golden Bachelorette, he should consider calling it quits after the show. Mark still needs time to heal after the death of his wife and rise to reality TV stardom, and I don’t think he should star in The Golden Bachelor.
