Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s marriage might not have been a success, but their TV ratings? Let’s just say, it’s no surprise that ABC isn’t done with the Golden franchise yet. On May 14, Joan Vassos was announced as the inaugural Golden Bachelorette. Here’s what we know about the upcoming show, including our new leading lady and our first look at the recently announced cast.
Good-bye, Gerry
February 10, 2024: We are officially in a new era of The Bachelor. On Saturday, ABC announced that The Golden Bachelorette is headed our way this fall, continuing Gerry Turner’s legacy of finding love with Theresa Nist. While there are no details at the moment as to who the Bachelorette will be (hi, Leslie), thankfully, we have decades of data that leads us to believe it will be one of last season’s contestants— and so on for Golden seasons to come. In case you missed out, The Golden Bachelor followed Turner, 72, as he went on a quest on television for a second chance at love and eventually got married (also on television!) Will the Golden Bachelorette find the same type of love? Or will she skip two steps ahead and become a cast member of Traitors in 2025? Why not both, women can do it all!
Hello, Golden girl
May 14, 2024: She’s ba-ack! During Disney’s 2024 upfront presentation to advertisers, 61-year-old Joan Vassos was announced as the inaugural Golden Bachelorette. In case you need a refresher, Joan appeared on The Golden Bachelor, earning a date after writing a poem about being afraid she’d barf on her shoes when she met Gerry Turner. But the school administrator from Rockland, Maryland ultimately chose to leave the season early to be with her daughter who was dealing with postpartum depression. Now, Joan will get another opportunity to find love (with episodes that have reportedly been bumped up to a 90-minute runtime). Which grandpas will be courting The Golden Bachelorette? Well, Gerry is single again, but that’s probably too messy … right?
The suitors suit up
August 13, 2024: Well, Gerry didn’t show up to cause any chaos, but there is still a familiar Bachelor Nation face among the newly announced Golden Bachelorette contestants. Mark Anderson, dad of Bachelor season 28 winner Kelsey Anderson, is one of two dozen men who will compete for Joan Vassos’s heart starting September 18. ABC shared the full list of suitors today, alongside a cute little intro video. We’ve also picked out some of the best bits from their official bios to help you pick your new fave of the season.
Bill, 68
A retired videographer who says, “I am Latin; romance is in my blood!†He dreams of owning a coffee shop, which he would call (drumroll please) Billy Beans.
Bob, 66
A chiropractor who hates fast food. His bio specifies that he loves to in-line skate, “but ONLY on quads.†He’s a man who knows what he likes, we see.
Charles K., 62
A portfolio manager who wants to prove that men above 60 “still have game, charm, and swag!â€
Charles L., 66
A retired financial analyst who moved to the U.S. with only $20 in his pocket. He would love to see Britney Spears perform one day. Call that the American Dream!
Chock, 60
An insurance executive who loves rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. Could Joan be the Taylor to his Trav?
Christopher, 64
A contractor who owns a construction company and loves Earth, Wind & Fire. We bet he’s looking forward to “September.â€
Dan, 64
A private investor who loves to sing, just not in public. So he’s private in multiple aspects of his life … just not his love life, starting this fall.
David, 68
A rancher from Austin who wants to travel the world and likes to spontaneously catch flights. What about feelings?
Gary, 65
A retired finance executive who also happens to be … Tina Turner’s godson! He also “rides hard†for the USC Trojans.
Gil, 60
An educator (and skilled juggler!) who dreams of retiring and living in Hawaii.
Gregg, 64
A retired university vice president who wears flip-flops 90% of the time. Also, his dog is named FlipFlop.
Guy, 66
An emergency room doctor who plans to hike Mount Kilimanjaro this fall. Hopefully not when episodes of The Golden Bachelorette are airing — you might not get service up there, sir.
Jack, 68
A caterer from Chicago who is also a retired restaurant owner and chef. We need his review of The Bear, stat.
Jonathan, 61
A shipping consultant who has three pets (a dog, cat, and rabbit) and has “toyed with†the idea of being a bodybuilder.
Jordan, 61
A sales manager who won not one, but two “Mr. Legs†contests in college.
Keith, 62
His listed occupation is girl dad (cute), but he’s a soon-to-be empty-nester. It’s the perfect time to go on reality TV, we suppose.
Ken, 60
A property management treasurer whose bio describes him as a “Miley Cyrus stan.†Be honest, Ken, did you write that?
Kim, 69
A retired navy captain whose favorite food as a kid was clam cakes.
Mark, 57
An Army vet who is also dad to Bachelor winner Kelsey Anderson. He’s also the youngest of the bunch.
Michael, 65
A retired banking CEO who went to Lollapalooza three times in his 50s. Oh, and he’s a Swiftie.
Pablo, 63
A retired UN agency director who volunteers as an EMT and runs ultramarathons in his spare time.
Pascal, 69
A salon owner who would’ve loved to be a fashion designer in another life. If switching careers isn’t feasible, there’s always Dress to Impress on Roblox.
RJ, 66
A financial adviser who is looking for his [checks notes] “forever snuggle bunny.â€
Thomas, 62
A FDNY chief who plays ukulele and used to own a crêperie in Rhode Island. Also, our only contestant from New York!
This post has been updated.