Chock Chapple, the first-ever winner of The Golden Bachelorette, has left fans questioning his relationship with Joan Vassos after posting a photo outside a Kansas law firm. The visit, combined with ongoing doubts about the couple’s living arrangements and chemistry, has fueled speculation about whether their romance is genuine or merely a “showmance.”
Lawyer Visit Raises Eyebrows
Chock recently shared an Instagram Story showing himself smiling outside The Bull Attorneys Injury Lawyers, a firm with multiple locations in Kansas. He captioned the photo, “Stopped by to say hi to my friends at Bull Attorneys!” While Chock’s visit may be professional—he has a long career in the insurance industry—some fans have found it odd given the newness of his relationship with Joan.
Chock, who spent Thanksgiving with Joan in Maryland, has since returned to Kansas. Fans noted his solo lawyer visit coincided with ongoing rumors questioning the authenticity of their relationship.
Addressing the Rumors
In response to the speculation, Joan and Chock quickly took to social media with a candid video filmed from their hotel bed in Los Angeles. Joan explained that after Thanksgiving, Chock returned to Kansas briefly before flying to LA to join her for events, including iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball and a trip to Disneyland.
Chock took the opportunity to directly address fans’ doubts: “We want to tell everybody that we are real. Like, we get that question all the time. People see us and they go, ‘We didn’t realize you were real.'”
Joan echoed his sentiments, calling the questions about their relationship “weird.” She added, “Of course, we’re real. We’ve already merged our families together, and we’re such a great couple.”
The video ended with the couple reaffirming their love, sharing a sweet kiss, and expressing disbelief at the skepticism surrounding their relationship.
Fan Reactions to the Relationship
The couple’s video drew mixed reactions from fans. Some laughed off the rumors, with one commenter writing, “’Are you guys real?’ That is so funny! You must laugh when people ask you that!” Others expressed confusion about why viewers doubted the couple’s authenticity.
However, skepticism has persisted since the finale aired. During the episode, some fans noted that Joan’s children appeared less than enthusiastic about her engagement to Chock. One viewer wrote, “Anyone else get the vibe Joan’s son thought this journey was too soon after his dad’s death?”
Others criticized Chock’s demeanor, describing him as “cringey” or “needy.” One fan commented, “There’s just something about him that’s cringe,” while another added, “He seems a bit too much at times.”
A Rocky Start for Reality TV Romance
Joan and Chock’s relationship has been under scrutiny since The Golden Bachelorette finale, where Chock proposed after a whirlwind season. While Joan’s children had reservations about the pace of their relationship following her late husband’s passing, Joan defended her decision, emphasizing her connection with Chock.
Chock’s recent activities, including his lawyer visit and social media updates, have done little to quiet the rumors. Despite the noise, the couple seems determined to prove their love is genuine.
Whether the relationship is built to last remains to be seen, but Joan and Chock are adamant about navigating the challenges of post-show life together. Fans will be watching closely to see how their story unfolds.
