As the journey on The Golden Bachelorette continues, host Jesse Palmer offers insights into the early days of Joan Vassos’ quest for love. From chaotic move-in day moments to emotional personal stories, Jesse shares his thoughts on some of the standout events from the show’s premiere.
Move-In Day Mayhem
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Move-in day at the mansion looked like quite the adventure. What was your favorite part of watching the men negotiate over top bunks, closet space, and snoring issues?
JESSE PALMER: The best part was watching Pascal try to convince the other men to do his laundry and make him breakfast. Let me just say, he was willing to pay top dollar for those favors! It was hilarious watching the guys negotiate for space and try to establish their own little routines. There was definitely a lot of playful tension as they figured out how to live together.
Prom Night Dance-Off
One of the season’s first group dates saw Joan take a group of her suitors to prom, complete with a dance-off. Could you tell us more about how that played out?
JESSE PALMER: The guys really embraced the prom date! They weren’t shy at all when it came to showing off their dance moves. Gary, in particular, impressed everyone with some serious moves. Even Charles L. surprised us by cutting a rug! It was great to see them all having fun and loosening up — it helped them bond with Joan and each other.
Tear-Jerker Moments
There were some highly emotional moments in the premiere. Which one hit you the hardest: Jonathan sharing his prom date ditching him, Chock talking about losing his wife Kathy to brain cancer, or Kim showing Joan his wedding photos?
JESSE PALMER: Honestly, all three stories were real tear-jerkers. It’s hard to pick just one. I have to commend the guys for being so open and vulnerable with Joan right from the start. Hearing about Jonathan’s prom date experience, Chock’s heartbreaking story about losing Kathy, and Kim’s emotional journey with his late wife — all of it made for some incredibly moving moments. I know Joan appreciated their honesty, and it set a deep, emotional tone for the season.
Talent Showcase Standouts
The Golden Talent Showcase also brought out some surprising performances. What were the acts that stood out to you the most?
JESSE PALMER: There were so many good ones, but a few really stood out. Pascal gave a haircut in just seven minutes, and it actually looked amazing! I was impressed with his skills. Another standout was Dan’s ribbon dancing routine — he went all in, and the entire audience was cheering him on. It was such a fun and lighthearted moment that showed just how far the guys were willing to go to win Joan’s attention.
As The Golden Bachelorette progresses, Jesse will continue to witness and comment on the light-hearted and deeply emotional moments that define Joan’s journey. From quirky group dates to heartfelt conversations, the season promises to deliver plenty of memorable moments, both fun and poignant.
