“It’s Just Weird” – Joan Vassos from The Golden Bachelorette Discusses Changes in Upcoming Fantasy Suites Segment

Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old widow and mother of four, took center stage in the inaugural season of ABC’s The Golden Bachelorette. This reality series is a spinoff of The Bachelor, aimed at romantic connections later in life. Vassos previously participated in The Golden Bachelor, forming a bond with Gerry Turner before needing to depart due to a family crisis.

As the lead of her season, Vassos notably reimagined the conventional fantasy suite setup. Traditionally, the lead spends a night with each of the final three suitors; however, she chose to eliminate beds entirely from the fantasy suites. In an interview with US Weekly on October 16, she shared her perspective:

“You gotta think, the person you’re potentially ending up with probably does not want to think of you last week, having slept with the guy he hangs out with. It’s just weird.”

Joan revolutionizes the fantasy suite concept in The Golden Bachelorette

Vassos’s redefined approach to the fantasy suites stemmed from her personal principles in The Golden Bachelorette. During a recent interview, she expressed her discomfort with engaging in physical relationships with multiple partners, aiming to foster an atmosphere that respected her personal limits. She remarked:

“I’m not a person who can have a physical relationship with more than one person.”

Instead of physical closeness during the fantasy suites, Vassos prioritized meaningful conversations that went unfilmed, emphasizing her commitment to emotional connections:

“We didn’t spend the night together.”

The decision to forgo beds underscored her intention to focus on emotional intimacy rather than physical encounters.

Her approach marked a departure from the typical framework seen in the Bachelor franchise, which traditionally allows for overnight stays in the fantasy suites. Nevertheless, Vassos clarified that her choices were not meant to critique those who opted for a different route, emphasizing:

“Everybody needs to do it their way. I’m not judging.”

Endorsement from contestants of The Golden Bachelorette

Joan’s innovative stance on the fantasy suites was met with respect from the contestants, who were understanding of her perspective. She acknowledged that while physical encounters hold importance at any age, they might carry more weight for younger individuals. Throughout the season, Vassos disclosed that she had only shared a kiss with about “five or six” of the men.

Furthermore, she practiced restraint regarding public displays of affection. Addressing the matter, she noted that although others may have felt comfortable expressing such sentiments openly, she made a conscious effort to avoid it, stating:

“I don’t love public displays of affection. That’s great you’re doing it, but no one really wants to see it. I was very conscious of that.”

The remaining suitors in The Golden Bachelorette

By the conclusion of episode 5 of The Golden Bachelorette, Joan had made her selections during the Rose Ceremony, eliminating Keith and Jonathan from the competition. Despite sharing significant experiences with her, she felt their connections lacked the necessary strength to advance further on her journey.

As hometown visits approached, four contestants remained: Pascal, Chock, Jordan, and Guy, preparing to introduce Joan to their families. This development was essential for deepening these relationships, raising the stakes as Joan moved closer to discovering enduring love.

New episodes of The Golden Bachelorette are broadcast every Wednesday at 8 PM ET/PT on ABC.

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