As The Golden Bachelorette heads into its highly anticipated Fantasy Suites episode, Joan Vassos is grappling with some deep-seated fears about her journey to find love once again. With her pool of suitors narrowed down from 24 to just three—Chock Chapple, Guy Gansert, and Pascal Ibgui—Joan’s emotional turmoil is coming to the forefront.
In a preview for the upcoming episodes, Joan expresses a glimmer of hope, stating it’s “possible to find love” after the loss of her husband. However, that optimism is quickly overshadowed by a shocking revelation from one of her remaining contestants. During a pivotal moment, Joan hears a painful confession: “I know what real love is, and I don’t feel it for you.” The question on everyone’s mind is: Could this be Pascal?
While in the beautiful setting of Tahiti, Joan confides in Pascal about her “fear” of moving on, worrying that doing so might mean she isn’t honoring the memory of her late husband, John. Pascal, sensing Joan’s inner struggle, becomes visibly frustrated. During a particularly tense moment, he turns away from the cameras, indicating the weight of the situation is affecting him too.
In contrast, both Chock and Guy appear more confident in their feelings for Joan. Chock openly declares, “I’ve been so lucky to find you. I’m the happiest guy,” but Joan’s insecurities begin to creep in. “Maybe Chock’s just too good to be true,” she muses, highlighting her uncertainty even in the face of affection.
The emotional preview culminates with a tearful Joan lamenting, “It hurts to think I might leave with nobody.” This poignant statement reflects the high stakes and emotional rollercoaster of her experience on the show.
During the recent hometown dates, Joan traveled across the country—from Reno, Nevada, to Chicago, Illinois, and then to Wichita, Kansas—to meet the families of her final four men. Throughout these visits, the 61-year-old noted she was moving closer to the “love stage.” However, she decided to send Jordan Heller home after he revealed he hadn’t loved anyone since his separation from his ex-wife a decade ago, leaving Joan questioning his readiness for a serious relationship.
As the season progresses, fans are left to wonder how Joan’s journey will conclude. Known for its unexpected twists and turns, the Bachelor franchise has a history of shocking outcomes, and viewers are still reeling from past surprises like the breakup of Jenn Tran and Devin Strader during the After the Final Rose segment of The Bachelorette Season 21.
With emotions running high and the pressure intensifying, the question remains: Who will Joan ultimately choose? Share your thoughts in the comments!