“The Golden Bachelor” star Gerry Turner opened up about meeting the 22 women vying for his heart after the show’s premiere on Thursday.
In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, the 72-year-old widower shared his thoughts on the episode’s biggest moments, including his “quick” relationships with several women. , the limo ride that left him “embarrassed” and Jimmy’s unexpected appearance. Kimmel’s aunt Concetta “Chippy” Potenza, 84 years old.
Turner, who ultimately sent six contestants home, told the outlet that the “variety of entrances” made by the women was the highlight of the night for him.
“It was a night I had been looking forward to for a long time,” said the retired restaurant owner. I’m really excited that it’s finally here and it’s incredibly gratifying to see all the women getting out of the limousine.”
Gerry Turner and the Golden Bachelor contestants
“The Golden Bachelor” Gerry Turner reflects on the show’s wild first episode. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
In keeping with “Bachelorette” tradition, some of the women hoping to make a lasting impression on Turner staged attention-grabbing limo entrances replete with costumes, props, and pranks. and dangerous stunts.
‘GOLDEN BACHELOR’ STAR GERRY TURNER, 71, ADMITS PROMISES TO FAMILY WHILE SHOOTING
Leslie, 72, pushed a walker while wearing a wig and gray nightgown when she met Turner. The gym instructor then stood up straight, threw her walker aside and ripped off her wig and nightgown to reveal her long brown hair and strapless black dress.
April, 65, arrived carrying a basket of eggs and then danced around Turner as she clucked like a chicken. The therapist then became the first contestant to pull Turner aside for a private chat, during which she gave him a handmade calendar that only had the month of April and had her photo on every page.
Gerry Turner
Twenty-two women between the ages of 60 and 75 compete for the heart of a 72-year-old widower in the “Bachelor” spinoff. (Brian Bowen Smith/ABC via Getty Images)
Seventy-year-old Theresa greeted Turner in her robe before telling him she was wearing her birthday suit because it was her birthday. Turner appeared nervous as she began to take off her robe, but Theresa revealed that underneath she was wearing a nude bodysuit.
Renee, 67, met Turner in a cheerleading tracksuit and performed moves for him with pom-poms while Edith, 60, opened a box of yellow confetti.
However, Turner admitted that it was contestant Sandra’s appearance that made him “embarrassed”. The 75-year-old retired executive assistant told Turner she was “extremely anxious” and wanted to use “meditation” to help calm her down. Sandra then began chanting “F—” repeatedly as Turner laughed.
“I feel embarrassed by it,” Turner told the Hollywood Reporter. “I kept hoping that she would say another word, and it happened again and again. That’s enough.”
However, Sandra is one of 16 women who receive a rose from Turner at the episode’s conclusion.
Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner
Turner admitted that he was “embarrassed” by contestant Sandra’s obscene limo entrance. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
Contestant Faith surprised Turner by arriving at the mansion on a motorbike. Turner mentioned her entrance when he explained the latter’s decision to give the 60-year-old high school teacher a “First Impression Rose.”
“Of course, her motorcycle entrance was outstanding,” Turner said. “Later, when I met her for a short conversation, her voice really stood out. But I think the reason she made that first impression was because of the look in those gentle brown eyes. That’s actually pretty amazing.”
During the episode, Turner kissed Faith, April, and Theresa, the latter of whom he gave a cupcake to celebrate her birthday. Before the premiere, Turner admitted that he had broken promises to his daughters and granddaughters. The Indiana native revealed that he had previously assured his family that he would not kiss any women that night.
leslie gerry turner
Leslie, 72, surprised Turner by taking off her gray wig and nightgown to reveal her long brown hair and strapless black dress. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
Turner became a widower after his wife died suddenly in 2017 from a bacterial infection. The two fell in love since high school and got married in 1974.
In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Turner said he wasn’t “surprised at all” that he was willing to explore his relationships with women through physical affection.
“I was there to find my forever partner and I was willing to be vulnerable and open up a little bit,” he explains. “So when some of those emotions moved me and touched another woman for something similar, I couldn’t help myself.”
Turner made a first impression on contestant Faith, who arrived at the mansion by motorbike.
Turner also revealed that he almost gave Theresa the first impression of the rose. “There’s certainly nothing negative about why she didn’t get the rose,” he told THR.
He continued, “It was more of a positive statement about Faith making a first impression. But with Theresa, it was the second time – I’ll put it that way. There were a number of women who made great appearances that night who could have won that first impression just as easily as Faith or Theresa.”
During the episode, Kimmel’s Aunt Chippy made a surprise appearance as a bonus contestant, telling Turner that she was “curious.” Upon entering the villa and meeting the other contestants, Aunt Chippy noted, “This is definitely not the 80-year-old club.”
Gerry Turner Theresa
Turner revealed that Theresa (pictured) was a close second choice to receive the first impression rose.
Aunt Chippy is then seen sleeping on the sofa. Turner told THR that he found her cameo “very interesting.”
“She was such a delight, not just when she got out of the limo but then, a few hours later, she was at the back of the villa, sitting on the sofa,” he recalls. “I stopped for a moment to talk to her and compliment her courage to do what she did, etc. Very exciting moment for her.”
During the show’s first rose ceremony, Turner eliminated six contestants including Patty James, mother of “The Bachelor” alum Matt James. Turner, who admitted he was dreading the ceremony, broke down in tears as the women left.
contestants and chippy aunt jimmy kimmels on the golden bachelor
Jimmy Kimmel’s Aunt Chippy, 84, made a surprise appearance. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
In an interview with THR, Turner said he was “a little” surprised by his emotional reaction after the rose ceremony.
“It was somewhat surprising, but on such an energetic and emotional night, emotions were bubbling just under the surface,” he said.
Turner continues, “Getting to know the women as a group and how confident, poised and well-educated they were, the connection with them was immediate and deeper than what anyone else could imagine in such a short time. So having to send some of them home at that time was extremely difficult.”
Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner
Turner admitted that he was “a little” surprised when he became emotional after the rose ceremony. ((Brian Bowen Smith/ABC via Getty Images)
Although Turner revealed that the evening did not end until 7:30 the next morning, he remembers “being alert and energetic and enjoying the opportunity to chat.”
“I really like it,” he added.
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However, Turner admitted that he faced some tougher times than he anticipated while filming the show.
“I know that every rose ceremony is going to be a very difficult moment. I’m probably a soft-hearted person anyway, so of course those were very difficult evenings and ceremonies,” he said.
