After a whirlwind romance and a sparkling engagement on The Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple are already making big life plans—setting themselves up for success in a way that reflects lessons learned from The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner’s rocky journey with Theresa Nist.
Following their engagement on November 13, 2024, Joan and Chock celebrated in Los Angeles before heading to New York City, where they plan to go apartment hunting. “We both love the energy of the city and all the things it has to offer,” Vassos shared with Us Weekly. “We want to walk, eat at great restaurants, and experience the culture. Plus, we have friends there, and it’s magical during the holidays.” The couple, both in their 60s, is looking forward to a new chapter in life together, filled with excitement and adventure.
However, Joan and Chock are taking a more measured approach than some previous Bachelor Nation couples, particularly Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, whose struggles after The Golden Bachelor wedding made headlines. Turner, who had difficulty navigating his relationship with Nist, found the reality of choosing a place to settle challenging, and it ultimately contributed to the couple’s split. Vassos and Chapple appear determined to avoid similar pitfalls by managing their relationship with thoughtful planning.
“We know the first year is going to be about figuring out our lives,” Vassos explained. “Chock has his business in Kansas, and I have my family in Maryland. I’m not leaving Maryland, but we also have exciting plans.” Both Vassos and Chapple are committed to spending time in each other’s hometowns, but they’re also focused on enjoying their life in New York City, where they plan to spend a significant amount of time. “It’s going to be a balance,” said Chapple. “We’re going to make it work.”
The couple’s openness to long-distance arrangements is key to their strategy, something Vassos touched on in an earlier interview with Parade. “At this stage in life, it’s easier to navigate these arrangements,” she said. “If something’s happening in Rockville, I’ll invite Chock to come spend a couple of weeks with me. And if he’s busy in Kansas, I’ll visit him. You make it work, and it can actually be fun.”
Joan and Chock’s careful planning contrasts with the difficulties faced by Turner and Nist, who struggled to agree on where to settle down. After appearing on The Golden Bachelor, Turner and Nist were unsure whether they could compromise on a shared location, a point Nist spoke about in a November 5 episode of the Almost Famous podcast. “You really can’t know someone in four weeks,” Nist said. “It wasn’t just about location, but there were more factors involved in the decision.”
After looking at homes in New Jersey and South Carolina, Turner and Nist ultimately realized they were not meant to be. The couple’s decision to end their relationship shows how complex it can be to combine two lives after a reality TV show, especially when major decisions—like where to live—remain unresolved.
Vassos and Chapple, however, seem committed to making their relationship work in the long term. With realistic expectations and a plan that includes both individual and shared spaces, they are hoping to avoid the challenges that others have faced before them. Fans of The Golden Bachelorette are hoping Joan and Chock’s thoughtful approach will lead to a lasting love story.
