Fan favorite Gary Levingston’s departure from The Golden Bachelorette left viewers heartbroken after his elimination on Wednesday, October 9. At 65, Gary, a retired finance executive from Palm Desert, California, quickly became a beloved figure on the show, charming fans with his upbeat personality and positive energy. When he’s not on reality TV, Gary enjoys watching The View, golfing, taking spin classes, and even dabbles in singing and dancing—truly a joy to watch.
Despite the promising connection Gary seemed to have with leading lady Joan Vassos, the 60-year-old star of the show, it wasn’t enough to keep him in the competition. His journey ended in Episode 4, after memorable moments like the Golden Bachelorette prom and a sweet FaceTime call with his son on his birthday, making his elimination even more surprising for viewers.
Reflecting on his time on the show, Gary described the experience as “absolutely sensational” and “pretty special.” In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he shared that participating in the show was something he never imagined, but he wouldn’t trade it for anything.
While Gary’s own romance with Joan didn’t pan out, he offered some insider insights on the ongoing competition, claiming one man in particular has the strongest connection with Joan: Chock Chapple.
Gary Believes Chock Has the Best Emotional Bond with Joan
In his post-elimination interview, Gary was asked by reality TV reporter Kristen Baldwin which contestants he thought had the best chemistry with Joan. Without hesitation, Gary pointed to 61-year-old Chock Chapple, an insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas.
“From what I’ve seen, Chock probably has the best emotional connection with Joan,” Gary shared, adding, “Yeah, I would pick Chock.”
Chock, a self-proclaimed “grill master,” enjoys shopping, exercising, and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, all traits that make him #HusbandMaterial. According to Gary, these qualities have made Chock a front-runner in Joan’s quest for love.
However, Gary also hinted at the possibility of a “dark horse” in the competition: 66-year-old ER doctor Guy Gansert from Reno, Nevada. Describing Guy as “charismatic, confident, and romantic,” Gary suggested that if Joan doesn’t choose Chock, Guy could be the one to win her heart in the end.
Joan’s ultimate decision will be a tough one, given the strong contenders remaining. With Chock and Guy both offering distinct qualities that could make them great partners, Joan’s journey to find her “forever person” continues to captivate audiences.
As the competition heats up, viewers are left to wonder who will ultimately receive Joan’s final rose. The emotional rollercoaster of The Golden Bachelorette continues with new episodes airing every Wednesday on ABC, with next-day streaming available on Hulu and Disney Plus.
Although Gary’s exit left a void in many fans’ hearts, the show’s excitement is far from over as the race for Joan’s heart enters its final stages.
