Why Gerry Called Theresa Before Going Public
Long after the whirlwind romance of The Golden Bachelor came to a quiet end, Gerry Turner proved that his sense of respect still endured. Before sharing news of his new relationship with Lana Sutton, Turner made a phone call — not to a friend, not to a producer, but to his ex-wife from the show, Theresa Nist.
It wasn’t a dramatic gesture. It was human.
“He said, ‘I just want to let you know I met someone,’” Nist recalled. “‘I was afraid to tell you.’”
That quiet moment between two people who once believed they’d found forever became a highlight in the aftermath of reality TV romance.
Leslie Fhima and Joan Vassos Played a Key Role
The story behind that phone call didn’t start with Turner or Nist. It began during The Bachelor finale, when Gerry Turner found himself in the company of former contestants Leslie Fhima and Joan Vassos. The two women encouraged him to reach out to Theresa — not because he had to, but because she deserved it.
“Leslie said, ‘Of course, tell Theresa, she’ll be happy for you,’” Nist told US Weekly.
In a world where reality TV breakups are usually followed by tabloid headlines, this gentle push from fellow contestants felt refreshingly mature. Fhima’s continued closeness with Nist gave her the insight to know the call would be welcomed, not resented.
Theresa Nist’s Graceful Response
Perhaps the most remarkable part of the exchange is how Theresa responded. There were no tears, no accusations, no pointed questions — just a calm affirmation of support.
“‘That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.’”
Even Turner admitted he was nervous. But the response he received proved that despite their divorce, mutual respect still bound them.
A Lesson in Post-Reality Relationships
While fans may have grieved the end of Theresa and Gerry’s relationship, their phone call offers a hopeful reminder that breakups — even public ones — don’t always have to end in bitterness. There’s dignity in closure, and in this case, a simple phone call said everything.
