SUMMARY
– Joan possibly strategically left The Golden Bachelor to secure The Golden Bachelorette lead, showcasing calculated moves for fame.
– Joan’s Instagram activity post-show reflects a thirst for fame, using her reality TV status to boost her image and online presence.
– Joan is likely to continue promoting herself post-season through podcasts and interviews, aiming to maintain relevancy and boost influencer status.
The first The Golden Bachelorette lead, Joan Vassos, is showing signs that she is and will continue to be a clout chaser. Joan was one of 22 women who competed for the heart of The Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner. Gerry is a 72-year-old Indiana resident who enjoys pickleball and family time. Gerry was married to his wife Toni Turner for 43 years up until her passing in 2017 from a bacterial infection. Gerry formed connections with many of the women of The Golden Bachelor season 1. He chose Theresa Nist, Leslie Fhima, and Faith Martin as his final three.
Gerry sent Faith home after the hometown dates and took Theresa and Leslie to the overnight fantasy suite dates in Costa Rica. Gerry blindsided Leslie by choosing Theresa in the end. Gerry and Theresa got married in January 2024 but announced their divorce in April. While Joan was in the competition, she and Gerry formed a strong connection, but Joan self-eliminated. Now it’s Joan’s turn to be in Gerry’s position since she’s been chosen as The Golden Bachelorette, and she is getting all the reality TV fame and notoriety that comes with it and is relishing it.
Was Joan’s The Golden Bachelor Exit Planned?
Her Exit Helped Her Secure The Lead
Joan left The Golden Bachelor in week three. She had just won a date with Gerry after charming him with a poem she wrote. On their date, Joan and Gerry bonded over the loss of their spouses and Joan relayed what she had to sacrifice to come on The Golden Bachelor. She said she had always put her job as a mom first in everything she did, and that she left her daughter who had just had a difficult pregnancy and birth behind to come on to the show.
Gerry appreciated Joan’s sacrifice and the pair ended the date with Gerry giving Joan a rose and the couple sharing their first kiss. Gerry said he and Joan had the start of something great. However, the next day, Joan got a call from her daughter saying that she needed her mom, and Joan wasted no time leaving the competition. She and Gerry had a tearful goodbye sit-down, but Gerry was supportive of Joan’s decision (via Bachelor Nation.)
While the reason for Joan’s exit was admirable, it could have possibly been calculated to leave a lasting impression on The Golden Bachelor fans in order to potentially secure a continuing role as The Golden Bachelorette. Her leaving the show meant fans didn’t get to know more about the 61-year-old. Joan was also likable and had a backstory viewers wanted to know more about. While The Golden Bachelorette lead could have gone to Leslie or other charismatic cast members like Susan Noles or Kathy Swarts, Joan secured it by having a sympathetic exit.
Joan Seems Obsessed With Her Image
Her Online Activity Speaks Volumes
Joan has been taking advantage of her The Golden Bachelor fame and has made sure that her Instagram account reflects her new reality TV celebrity status. Joan’s new ego is recognized in her Instagram bio. Her first pinned posts are also in relation to her lead promotion on the show.
“The first Golden Bachelorette.”
Joan highlights an interview with Jesse Palmer from The Golden Bachelor in her second pinned post, and she lets fans know when to tune in to watch her in her third post. The rest of Joan’s page consists of videos highlighting her normal life, but the majority of her posts are Bachelor Nation-related. Joan seems to be chasing the fame her lead role has afforded her.
Joan Has Continued Her The Golden Bachelor Friendships (For More Recognition)
Is She Doing It For Relevancy?
The other main point of content on her Instagram page is Joan’s showcasing of her continued The Golden Bachelor friendships. She could be casting the spotlight on her friendships to get even further range in her clout reach and to contribute to her likability and ability to maintain lasting friendships. Joan may have found a new strong community in her Bachelor Nation friends, but it might partially be for show.
Time will tell if there is authenticity in her highlighted friendships or whether she is keeping her reality friends close for more recognition and to maintain relevancy.
Joan Will Likely Take Advantage Of Her Fame When Her Season Is On
Joan Will Be Promoting Herself
Since Joan is already going hard with the self-promotion and the promotion of the pilot season of The Golden Bachelorette, her social media presence in that aspect is likely to continue. Due to NDA agreements, she can’t report on the goings on of her season before the season premieres or during it. However, Joan can continue to show fans more about who she is and what her family life is about, and she will likely take that opportunity.
Joan can also go on podcasts and talk shows as Gerry did, and that will only ramp up once the season is over and fans are curious about who she chose if anyone.
Joan’s life will be put on blast once The Golden Bachelorett e season 1 is over, and that’s when she can go on press tours and boost her influencer status.
While Joan does not seem to be involved with many brand deals or partnerships now, that could change, since she is a highly in-demand figure now.
Gerry has been enjoying his celebrity status and time in the spotlight, and it seems like Joan will be following in his footsteps. Gerry rubbed shoulders with the likes of the Kardashian clan and Joan is making every sign that she would not shy away from doing the same. Joan will make an entertaining lead in The Golden Bachelorette, but her public activity before her season is painting her a clout chaser. Joan’s ego and opportunity can only get bigger and grow, and she doesn’t have to prove to anyone that she is on the show for fame.
