With the highly anticipated return of The Golden Bachelor expected any day now, it’s the perfect time to talk about the possible identity of the new lead. Judging by the first season, The Golden Bachelor season 2 could be filming sometime this summer, and the pressure is on the show’s producers to pick a great new lead for the beloved Bachelor spin-off. The first season’s lead was 72-year-old Gerry Turner, a widower and retired restaurateur from Indiana. Despite multiple controversies, Gerry was a highly entertaining romantic lead, and his shoes will be difficult to fill.
The Golden Bachelor season 1 ended with Gerry giving his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist, and the couple got engaged. After just a few short weeks of a whirlwind engagement, Gerry and Theresa married in a lavish Golden Bachelor televised wedding event. The septuagenarian couple announced their divorce only three months later. Despite the bad outcome, the show was a massive hit and led to The Golden Bachelorette season 1, which was well-received. It’s unclear who the next Golden Bachelor will be, but it likely won’t go to any fan front-runners.
Mark Anderson Is Already In A Relationship
He’s Off The Market… For Now
A fan favorite to replace Gerry was 58-year-old Mark Anderson. He made his television premiere alongside his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, on The Bachelor 28 and was then cast in The Golden Bachelorette season 1. He was one of 24 single Golden men who had traveled all over the country to date 61-year-old Joan Vassos. Joan and Mark had a lot in common, as they were both widowers. Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years before he died in 2021, while Mark was married to Denise Anderson for 18 years before she died in 2018.
Though Joan seemed to like Mark well enough, she connected to other men more. After a painfully awkward solo date on a luxury yacht, Joan told Mark there was “something missing” between them and sent him home before the next rose ceremony. Though Mark was devastated by his elimination, he soon met someone new. Mark was recently out with Barbara Alyn Woods, an actress best known for her work on One Tree Hill. During Halloween, Barbara posted an Instagram photo where Barbara is dressed as Cinderella and Mark as Prince Charming.
“I was like, ‘Dad, is she Cinderella and you’re Prince Charming? There’s definitely more than friends.'”
While Mark and Barbara haven’t addressed the relationship, Kelsey recently confirmed it to E! News. “I feel like they love each other,” Kelsey even went so far as to say. She also addressed Mark’s now-famous Halloween photo. According to Kelsey, Mark told her he was hanging out with his friend on Halloween. When Kelsey saw they were dressed as Prince Charming and Cinderella, she realized it was serious. “I was like, ‘Dad, is she Cinderella and you’re Prince Charming? There’s definitely more than friends.'” Though Mark was a fan favorite to be The Golden Bachelor, his relationship makes him ineligible.
Jonathan Rone Just Recently Became Single
He Won’t Be Ready By Summer
Another fan favorite from The Golden Bachelorette season 1 was Jonathan Rone, a 61-year-old shipping consultant from Oakland, Iowa. Joan and John connected during her group prom date, where he impressed Joan with his sensitive vulnerability and dance skills. Their relationship never took off, and she eliminated him before hometown dates. Jonathan appeared on The Golden Bachelorette Men Tell All special in November 2024, confirming he was in a new relationship. Days later, he gushed about his relationship with Michelle Zimmerman on social media.
“I know my person is out there, and I’ll find them when the time is right.”
The couple seemed happy together and looked like Jonathan and Michelle had found true love. However, they recently came to an end. Jonathan recently posted an Instagram video explaining the relationship was over. “With a heavy heart, I want to share that I’m no longer in a relationship,” wrote The Golden Bachelorette season alumni. “I know my person is out there, and I’ll find them when the time is right.” Though it’s probably too late for Jonathan to lead The Golden Bachelor season 2, he could still be a contestant on Golden Bachelor In Paradise if there is a season.
Guy Gansert Had An Uncomfortable Scandal
His Ex-Wife Had A Lot To Say About Him
After a season of dates, Joan narrowed her field down to 60-year-old Chock Chapple and 66-year-old Guy Gansert. During the final episode of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan gave her final rose to Chock, eliminating Guy. The ER doctor from Reno would have been a natural choice to be The Golden Bachelor, but a personal controversy could cost him the opportunity. While The Golden Bachelorette season 1 aired, People reported Guy’s ex-wife, Heidi O’Gara, filed a temporary protective order in October 2021.
Heidi accused Guy of having anger issues, and engaging in threatening behavior.
Though Heidi dropped the order a month later, before it was granted, some of her accusations are disturbing. Heidi accused Guy of having anger issues, and engaging in threatening behavior. Though the order was dropped, Guy’s contentious relationship with his ex-wife may make it difficult for producers to cast him. Guy addressed the temporary protective order on Instagram, but the controversy may still get in his way.
Who Is The New Lead?
It Could Be An Unknown Person
Though many Bachelor franchise leads come from past franchise shows, it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. The Golden Bachelorette included 24 contestants, and maybe that’s not casting a wide enough net. If producers of The Golden Bachelor season 2 want to find the perfect lead, they may have to open it up to men who weren’t once eliminated by Joan.
