The Golden Bachelorette season 1 lead, Joan Vassos, may prove herself to be a villain on the show due to her problematic ideals and behavior. I avidly watched The Golden Bachelor every week as new episodes were coming out and followed all the drama on and off-screen closely, and I’m convinced Joan will be controversial. Joan was one of 22 women vying for The Golden Bachelor season 1 lead, Gerry Turner’s heart. Joan didn’t make a strong first impression on Gerry, but she won him over with a poem she read and secured a one-on-one date.
Joan and Gerry bonded about the loss of their spouses and the importance of family during the date. Gerry became smitten enough with Joan that he offered her a rose to continue in the competition, and the pair shared their first kiss. Joan left early in the third episode, and Gerry went on to form strong connections with several of the women. He ended up choosing Theresa Nist, and the pair got married in January 2024. Unfortunately, they announced their intention to divorce in April 2024, devastating Bachelor Nation.
Joan Left Gerry Heartbroken With Her Early Exit
Could She Make An Early Exit Again?
Joan joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor was controversial in her personal life. Joan said she put her role as a mom first in everything that she did and that she was finally ready to put herself first in this instance. However, that wasn’t the case, and she left early to tend to her daughter who had recently had a difficult pregnancy and delivery (via Bachelor Nation.)
Joan shouldn’t have joined T he Golden Bachelor if she was dealing with deep personal things that could potentially tear her away from Gerry and the show as it did.
Joan seemed sad about missing the opportunity to continue on the show, but she has not talked much about how she felt bad about the effect it had on Gerry. Were Joan to have stayed and pursued Gerry, Gerry might not have chosen Theresa and divorced as he did.
While I know that is speculation, it has to be considered since Joan was an obvious front-runner. In her pioneering season of The Golden Bachelorette, it’s possible she might bow out early for personal family reasons, or she might not believe she wants to bring a new man back to her family. Were that to happen, Joan could come off as villainous for stringing the men and viewers along.
Joan’s Type Is Too Rigid
She Won’t Be Happy With Most Of The Men
Joan recently gave an interview in which she was asked about her type. In her answers, it was clear that Joan has a specific type.
“Tall, dark, and handsome. That’s what I was married to.”
Joan also relayed, “Be energetic, kind, generous. Loves kids, loves their family like I love my family. I know that’s a tall order but that’s what I’m looking for.” I believe Joan is going into The Golden Bachelorette experience with a specific type in mind, and she won’t be open to pursuing men that fall short of her rigid ideals in a future partner.
Joan will be dating a bevy of senior men with different appearances, backgrounds, ability levels, and personalities, and I think it’s possible she will overlook some quality people because they aren’t checking all her boxes and she will be unwilling to compromise.
Joan started filming her season in June, and there are very few spoilers to indicate how the experience went down, so it’s possible that she had success. However, given her The Golden Bachelor past with leaving, and her uncompromising view on what she wants, she may be a villain yet.
The Golden Bachelorette Fans Didn’t Want Joan As The Lead
There May Already Be A Bias Against Her
While Joan did have a relatable story and fans rooting for her after the show, there were several, more obvious choices for The Golden Bachelorette lead. Choices like runner-up Leslie Fhima, charismatic Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles, or even a senior unknown to the franchise like Gerry was. Since The Golden Bachelor fans were leaning towards wanting a lead other than Joan, I think Joan is coming into the season with something to prove. If she lets down the audience in any way, it could solidify a villain status for her.
