When Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple got engaged at the end of The Golden Bachelorette, I was skeptical. After the shockingly brief marriage of The Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist—who lasted just three months after their wedding—I assumed Joan and Chock’s engagement was doomed to the same fate. But as time has passed, my cynical perspective on their relationship is beginning to shift.
Why I Initially Thought Their Relationship Was a Showmance
Like many viewers, I was swept up in the excitement of The Golden Bachelor when 72-year-old Gerry Turner and 70-year-old Theresa Nist found love and got married in the season finale. I was hopeful for their future, but when they announced their divorce after just three months, I was disheartened but not entirely shocked. This experience made me more skeptical about The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan and Chock, and I began to think that their engagement was simply a manufactured “showmance.”
Joan, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Maryland, had initially appeared on The Golden Bachelor, where she didn’t find lasting love with Gerry. So, when Joan was cast as The Golden Bachelorette, I assumed her relationship with Chock would follow a similar pattern. But after seeing them both in a new light, I’m beginning to rethink my initial impressions.
What’s Different About Joan and Chock?
Unlike Gerry and Theresa, who rushed into their relationship, Joan and Chock have taken their time. Both have experienced profound loss—Joan’s husband, John, passed away after 32 years of marriage, and Chock’s fiancée, Katherine, tragically passed in 2022. Their shared grief created a deep bond that I hadn’t fully appreciated when I first saw their on-screen chemistry.
When Chock had to briefly leave the show after his mother passed away, he returned swiftly, showcasing his commitment to Joan. Watching his genuine devotion to her made me rethink my doubts. It was clear that their connection was more than just a fleeting romance. They’ve been together since the finale and have been nothing but happy, which is a welcome change compared to the disappointing end of Gerry and Theresa’s relationship.
Taking Their Time: A Wise Choice
Joan and Chock aren’t rushing to the altar. In an interview with Life & Style, the couple made it clear that they’re in no rush to marry. Despite their instant connection on the show, they want to take their time and nurture their relationship. This thoughtful approach contrasts with the rushed whirlwind romance of Gerry and Theresa and seems like the right path for Joan and Chock.
Fans may be eager to see another Bachelor wedding in 2025, but Joan and Chock’s decision to slow down is refreshing and a sign that they’re building something lasting. They’re not chasing the spectacle of reality TV; they’re focused on genuinely getting to know each other.
