As The Golden Bachelorette nears its finale, star Joan Vassos has shared the thoughtful measures she took to ensure she recognized any potential red flags among her final suitors. At 61, the Rockville, Maryland, private school administrator and mother of four is determined to find the second great love of her life after losing her husband, John, to pancreatic cancer in 2021. Having previously appeared on Gerry Turner’s Golden Bachelor season, Joan now has the opportunity to navigate love on her own terms.
In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Joan discussed the boundaries she set during the Fantasy Suites, where she plans to connect emotionally rather than physically with the remaining contestants: Chock Chapple, Guy Gansert, Pascal Ibgui, and Jordan Heller. Joan expressed her discomfort with public displays of affection, stating, “I don’t love public displays of affection. That’s great you’re doing it, but no one really wants to see it. I was very conscious of that.”
Joan emphasized her preference for emotional intimacy, saying, “I’m not a person who can have a physical relationship with more than one person.” Instead of spending the night together, she made it clear that her Fantasy Suite dates would focus on meaningful conversations, explaining, “We didn’t spend the night together. There was no bed in the room.”
Prioritizing Emotional Connections
Joan’s decision to keep things emotional rather than physical stemmed from her desire to protect her future partner’s feelings. “You gotta think, the person you’re potentially ending up with probably does not want to think of you, last week, having slept with the guy he hangs out with. It’s just weird,” she noted. Joan acknowledged that every Bachelor Nation lead must navigate their own journey, adding, “Everybody needs to do it their way. I’m not judging. The physical part is important at every age, but I think it’s more important when people are younger.”
Another important aspect of her approach was her reluctance to say “I love you” prematurely. Joan explained, “People throw the word ‘love’ around a lot on this show, especially the younger people. I think they feel it quicker. I was careful not to do that. It backfires a lot.” She committed to waiting until she was certain of her feelings before expressing them, saying, “Even if I feel it, I’m not gonna say it because things change. I still have a little bit of time that I need to use to make sure there aren’t any red flags I haven’t seen.”
A Thoughtful Approach to Love
Joan’s thoughtful boundaries and decision-making indicate a higher likelihood of finding lasting happiness compared to previous leads. While Gerry Turner’s journey ended in divorce just three months after marrying Theresa Nist, Joan’s careful consideration of each decision has her set on a different path. She has approached her experience with a logical mindset, avoiding the pitfalls of intimacy with multiple partners or expressing love too soon.
Joan’s boundaries suggest a deeper understanding of what she wants in a relationship. She exudes kindness and care while remaining realistic about her romantic connections. As she navigates the Fantasy Suites and her final decisions, she appears committed to identifying any red flags and ensuring she makes the right choice.
Joan Vassos: A Standout Lead
With high expectations from fans, Joan entered The Golden Bachelorette aware of the franchise’s recent challenges, including failed engagements and broken relationships from previous seasons. Her thoughtful approach to Fantasy Suites and her reluctance to rush into love set her apart as one of the best leads in Bachelor franchise history.
Joan’s combination of love, support, and clarity of purpose positions her well for a fulfilling future. By sticking to her plan and prioritizing emotional connections over physical intimacy, she exemplifies a mature approach to love. As the season progresses, fans are hopeful that Joan will find the happiness she so deserves, proving to be a guiding light in a franchise that has seen its share of heartbreak.
