The emotional season finale of The Golden Bachelorette brought a new chapter in Joan Vassos’ life, as she faced her fears and embraced love once again. After an eventful journey full of ups and downs, Joan made her final choice. So, who did she choose, and did she find her second great love?
Chock Chapple’s Moment to Shine
The finale kicked off with a beautiful setting in Bora Bora, where Joan’s children—daughter Allison and son Nicholas—were eager to meet her two remaining suitors. First up was Chock Chapple, a 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas. Chock met Joan’s family with sincerity, promising to love and care for her, and gained approval from Nicholas, Joan’s son. Nicholas expressed that he was proud of his mom for taking this leap, alleviating some of Joan’s earlier concerns about her family’s acceptance.
A Heartbreaking Twist with Guy Gansert
Next up was Guy Gansert, a 66-year-old ER doctor from Reno, Nevada. However, just before their planned meeting, Joan made a surprising revelation—she had already made up her mind, and Guy was not the one. “I woke up this morning thinking about the date with Chock yesterday,” Joan confessed. “I realized that I actually found love. It happened.”
Joan then went to Guy’s room to share the news, sparing him the pain of meeting her family. Guy, visibly shocked and heartbroken, admitted that he had fallen deeply in love with Joan. During a tearful conversation in the live finale, Guy expressed his sorrow over the turn of events, while Joan explained that timing was the key factor in her decision—although their relationship had potential, she had already fallen for Chock.
A Dream Proposal in Bora Bora
With the decision made, Chock made his way to the beach, where he would propose to Joan. Standing on a pristine white-sand beach with the ocean as their backdrop, Chock expressed his love for Joan and promised to honor her late husband, John. Joan, reflecting on their connection since their first date at Disneyland, revealed she had been picturing a future with him for quite some time.
“I love you,” Joan told Chock, before giving him the golden rose, marking the moment they became engaged.
Moving Forward Together
In the live finale, Joan and Chock shared their joy and excitement, reflecting on their journey and the connection that led to their engagement. Joan admitted she had known she was in love with Chock long before the proposal, and the couple encouraged other golden-hearted individuals to pursue the love they deserve.
The Future of The Golden Franchise
As the season wrapped up, the question on everyone’s mind was: What’s next for The Golden Bachelor franchise? While ABC hasn’t confirmed another season yet, it’s clear that Joan’s journey has sparked interest in more stories of love in later life. And if there is a new season, one potential contestant, Jonathan Rone, may be out of the running—he recently confirmed he’s in a new relationship after leaving the show earlier this season.
