The Golden Bachelorette’s Mark Anderson was rumored to be the next The Golden Bachelor, but I’ve grown convinced that he’s not ready to be the Bachelor spin-off’s next male lead. It’s not easy for me to admit being wrong, but I was certain that 58-year-old Mark was the best person to replace 72-year-old Gerry Turner as The Golden Bachelor. I even thought that the only reason he was cast as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette was so that he could prepare to lead his own season of the unscripted dating show.
I even wrote about Mark being The Golden Bachelor after he made an appearance on The Bachelor season 28. When his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, took Joey Graziadei home for her hometown date and introduced him to her father, a star was born. Mark became an instant fan favorite, and it wasn’t long before he joined the cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1. When 61-year-old Joan Vassos sent Mark home, I expected an announcement about him being cast as The Golden Bachelor. That announcement never came, and recent news about Mark’s personal life may mean it never will.
Mark Was Accused Of Being A Producer Plant
“Something Missing”
I wasn’t the only person who thought Mark was cast in The Golden Bachelorette season 1 to get him ready to be the spin-off’s next lead. Online speculation about Mark ran rampant from the moment he made his initial appearance on The Bachelor season 28. When he was announced as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette, people didn’t expect him to win Joan’s heart. Joan herself didn’t seem to give Mark much of a chance, so maybe she also thought he was a producer plant.
The day after a painfully awkward solo date between Joan and Mark, Joan told Mark that though she felt love for him, there was “something missing” between them. With tears in their eyes, Joan sent Mark home before that night’s rose ceremony. I felt sure that the announcement of Mark being cast as The Golden Bachelor would come any minute, but it hasn’t happened.
Mark May Be In A Relationship Already
Prince Charming May Have Found His Cinderella
It’s possible Mark wasn’t cast as The Golden Bachelor is he’s already in a committed relationship. Mark was devastated when Joan sent him home from The Golden Bachelorette season 1, but he wasn’t down for long. Since leaving the show, Mark has been photographed with Barbara Alyn Woods, a television actress known best for her work on the drama series One Tree Hill.
Being in a committed relationship would keep Mark from being the Bachelor spin-off’s next male lead.
Barbara posted a Halloween photo on Instagram of her in a Cinderella costume and Mark dressed as Prince Charming. Fans of ABC’s The Golden Bachelorette and One Tree Hill were excited about the potential match between Mark and Barbara. I’m happy for Mark as well, but I’m disappointed that being in a relationship would make him ineligible to be The Golden Bachelor.
Mark Has Work To Do Before He Can Be The Golden Bachelor
Still Mourning His Late Wife
Though I’m disappointed Mark being in a relationship could keep him from being cast in The Golden Bachelor season 2, I have to be honest; Mark has other issues that may have kept him from accepting the role. My main concern is Mark isn’t over his late wife. Mark was married to Denise Anderson for 18 years because she was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2018.
Mark talked about his late wife constantly during The Golden Bachelorette , and it was a sign he was still in mourning.
Mark was deeply in love with his late wife, with whom he had five children, including Kelsey. During The Golden Bachelorette, Mark confessed to Joan he hadn’t dated much since his late wife’s death. Though I adore Mark and want him to be The Golden Bachelor, I also think he has some work to do before he’s ready.
