SUMMARY
– Gerry Turner’s persona was built on lies, with his true nature revealed during The Golden Bachelor.
– His marriage to Theresa Nist was a sham, used to cover up his indiscretions and bad press.
– Bachelor Nation is forgiving Gerry too easily, despite his manipulative behavior and lack of remorse.
The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner has been dealing with some criticism since the tail end of the season, but I feel that Bachelor Nation is letting him off the hook too easily after betraying our trust. Gerry was first introduced to Bachelor Nation prior to The Golden Bachelor season 1, when he was named the first lead of the spin-off series. While Gerry was sold as a sweet, vulnerable widower who hadn’t dated since his wife had died years prior, the reality of his situation was a lot different than what was presented in his initial moments on camera.
While Gerry was sold to viewers as a wholesome widower, but throughout The Golden Bachelor, it was proven that his persona wasn’t exactly what it was painted out to be. Though he was supposed to be a pinnacle of hope for viewers, it became difficult for people to explain his actions when the scandals surrounding Gerry began to surface. With lies surrounding his time as The Golden Bachelor and his marriage to Theresa Nist, Gerry’s public persona has become fodder for the press and a discussion for the fans. Still, I believe Gerry’s being let off the hook too easily.
Gerry’s Golden Bachelor Persona Was Built On Lies
Before the run of The Golden Bachelor, Gerry was publicized to be a wholesome widower who was struggling to get back into the dating pool after grieving his wife’s death. A father and grandfather, Gerry had a non-threatening presence, and he was open about the fact that he was looking to find someone to spend his golden years with. He wasn’t just looking for love, but companionship, which made him seem like he was ready for a serious commitment from the women of The Golden Bachelor cast.
Though Gerry was sold as a sweet, gentle guy who was on the show for the right reasons, The Golden Bachelor had some skeletons in his closet that he didn’t expect to come out. Toward the end of the season, Gerry’s ex came forward anonymously to explain the relationship she’d had with Gerry. Blowing the lid off of Gerry’s persona, she shared that he’d been noncommittal, aloof, and at times mean about their secretive relationship. While Gerry’s ex wasn’t interested in sharing her identity with the world, she was clear that Gerry wasn’t the innocent man he’d claimed he was.
Gerry’s Marriage To Theresa Was A Sham
After the scandal came out, Gerry looked a lot more troubled than he’d come across originally and his wedding to Theresa was pushed by ABC. The couple appeared on the live finale of The Golden Bachelor with an update on their relationship and an announcement that they’d be getting married in just a few short weeks. While it’s not confirmed that Gerry and Theresa chose to announce they’d be getting married quickly to cover up the bad press, to me, it feels like a definitive fact. By giving Bachelor Nation something else to talk about, Gerry’s indiscretions were covered up.
The Golden Wedding special, which aired just weeks after the finale of The Golden Bachelor, was more of a who’s-who in Bachelor Nation than a wedding. With a golden carpet for Bachelor alumni to walk and commentators, including The Golden Bachelor star Kathy Swarts, the event wasn’t a sentimental, sweet affair. Instead, it was a spectacle meant to cover up the past wrong-doings and problematic reports that had been put out into the public about Gerry. When the couple divorced after just three months of marriage, I began to feel certain the entire relationship was a sham orchestrated by Gerry.
Bachelor Nation Is Forgiving Gerry Too Easily
While Gerry is being called out for his indiscretions in some regards, he doesn’t seem to be getting flack in others. Gerry quickly became a part of Bachelor Nation after being named The Golden Bachelor with podcast appearances, interviews, and social media updates, giving him a platform he’d never experienced. While Gerry was looking for a foot in the door of the entertainment industry, he found a community of people he could leverage to build a bigger audience and find himself more fame. Dragging Theresa through a scandal-ridden engagement and potentially fake marriage, Gerry shouldn’t have the leeway he has.
While much of Bachelor Nation appeared to be giving Gerry the benefit of the doubt, I don’t think he deserves a second chance. With an audience of viewers who trusted his story and were sold a false bill of goods, Bachelor Nation was duped by a fame-hungry man who pretended to be emotionally stunted by the death of his wife. With his time as The Golden Bachelor leading into a marriage that lasted only months due to his disinterest in putting in any effort, Gerry doesn’t deserve another chance with the public who are forgiving him for his poor behavior.
