Joan Vassos, the first-ever Golden Bachelorette, made waves during her season by shaking up the traditional Fantasy Suites format. In a bold move that aimed to foster emotional connection over physical intimacy, the 61-year-old contestant set clear boundaries for her overnight dates in Tahiti with suitors Pascal Ingui, Guy Gansert, and Chock Chapple.
Weeks before the Fantasy Suites began, Joan communicated her decision to eliminate sexual intimacy from her overnights. During her first date with Guy, she candidly stated, “I want to have time off-camera to talk and discuss intimate things, but I’m not going to do that with three different people—so I’m not going to do it with anybody right now. I’m going to save that for when I have my final person.” Guy responded with understanding, noting that emotional intimacy was his priority as well.
In a creative twist, Joan altered the Fantasy Suite invitation to better reflect her intentions. Rather than the usual phrasing suggesting a romantic night together, her card read: “Should you choose to spend additional private time together this evening, please use this key to access one of the over-water bungalows.”
When it was Chock’s turn, he echoed Joan’s sentiments, expressing his comfort with her decision. Although Pascal self-eliminated before a private date could occur, it was clear he would have respected Joan’s boundaries as well.
Joan later discussed her approach to Fantasy Suites on The View, explaining, “I said, ‘I want to do Fantasy Suites, but I don’t want to have a bed in there. And I’m taking that off the table.’” She emphasized that her contestants were “actually very respectful” of her choices. Joan added that while she didn’t judge others for their choices, this was the right path for her.
However, Joan admitted that voicing her boundaries during filming caused her significant anxiety. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, she recalled a late-night conversation with her producer where she finally decided to express her discomfort with a physical relationship with multiple people. “I thought, ‘Okay, this is a good time to tell him,’” she said. To her relief, the producers were supportive of her wishes, allowing her to proceed with her modified Fantasy Suites.
Despite the lack of traditional beds, Joan’s dates still extended until the early hours of the morning, as the couples engaged in meaningful conversations. Fans of the show lauded her for this refreshing approach, taking to social media to express their support.
One fan tweeted, “Wow… so refreshing to see couples truly spending time getting to know each other without all the sexual tension.” Others echoed this sentiment, praising Joan for her boundaries and emotional focus. Comments like “Joan outright pronouncing there will be no funny business on these overnights is the energy I like to see” and “Joan is a boundary-setting queen!” showcased the positive reception from viewers.
Joan’s decision to prioritize emotional intimacy over physicality in her Fantasy Suites marks a significant shift in the traditional Bachelor format. By doing so, she not only stayed true to herself but also set an empowering example for other contestants and viewers alike.
