The Golden Bachelorette contestant Joan Vassos recently addressed intriguing rumors concerning Gerry Turner, her former co-star from the show, amidst the fallout from his failed marriage to Theresa Nist. Joan, who turned 62 recently, first met Gerry, 72, during the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor. She was one of 22 vibrant women competing for his affection at the iconic Bachelor mansion, though an unexpected family emergency led to her early departure from the competition. Nonetheless, she was later cast as the first female lead on the spin-off series.
During his quest for love, Gerry ultimately chose Theresa, 70, and they celebrated a spectacular wedding aired on ABC. However, their union shattered after just three months, leaving fans in shock. Amidst this turmoil, rumors circulated that Gerry sought to reconnect with Joan. In a recent interview, Joan was asked directly about these speculations, and her candid response left many intrigued.
The Relationship Between Joan & Gerry
The One That Got Away
The anticipation surrounding the first season of The Golden Bachelor was immense. As a retired restaurateur, Gerry brought his charm and experience to the mansion, having been married to Toni Turner for 43 years before her passing in 2018. Among the hopeful contestants was Joan, a private school administrator from Maryland. Although she initially didn’t capture Gerry’s full attention, she did receive a rose during the first elimination round, allowing her to stay in the running.
Joan’s breakthrough moment came during a talent show group date, where she showcased her talent and won a solo dinner date with Gerry. The chemistry between them was undeniable, as evidenced by Gerry giving her another rose, extending her journey on the show. However, this budding romance took a backseat when Joan received alarming news from home.
Her daughter had recently given birth and was struggling with postpartum depression, prompting Joan to reassess her priorities. Despite the promising connection with Gerry, she chose to focus on her family during this challenging time. Additionally, Joan was mourning the loss of her late husband, John Vassos, whom she had loved for 32 years until his death in 2021, creating additional complications in her readiness for a new relationship.
Was There an Attempt to Rekindle Their Relationship?
A “Really Good Friendship”
After Joan’s exit from The Golden Bachelor, Gerry continued on his path and eventually selected Theresa for his final rose. Their marriage may have been brief and tumultuous, but in the aftermath, speculation grew that Gerry may have reached out to revive his connection with Joan after his marital troubles. Joan recently appeared on the Two Jersey J’s podcast and addressed these rumors head-on. She acknowledged that while there had been a spark early on, their relationship ultimately transitioned to a “really good friendship.”Additionally, she confirmed that they keep in regular contact.
When questioned about the possibility of Gerry wishing to rekindle their romance, Joan chose to remain noncommittal, stating, “I’m not gonna comment.”
Assessing the Likelihood of Rekindling
Gerry’s Health Challenges
The announcement of Gerry and Theresa’s divorce created waves of reactions among fans, many of whom attributed blame to Gerry. He remained largely quiet during the divorce proceedings, but it later emerged that the couple had a solid prenuptial agreement that mitigated contentious issues. At first, they pointed to geographical distance as a cause of their split, but by December 2024, Gerry opened up about a more profound issue during an interview with People.
Gerry shared that a shocking cancer diagnosis impacted his marriage. Following routine tests for a shoulder injury, he learned about a critical issue with his bloodwork and was diagnosed with slow-acting bone marrow cancer. This news compounded the strains on his marriage, as he had to navigate both his health challenges and the pressure of a new relationship.
Ultimately, the couple’s inability to maintain a long-distance marriage, alongside Gerry’s health concerns, led to their decision to divorce just three months after tying the knot. Given the circumstances, it appears unlikely that Gerry intended to reconnect with Joan while managing such a serious illness.
Joan’s Journey to Finding Love
Joan’s Next Chapter as The Golden Bachelorette
Following her departure from The Golden Bachelor, Joan found herself in a new role as The Golden Bachelorette. This role allowed her to embark on a fresh search for love, ultimately leading her to 24 eligible single men. She quickly formed a connection with 60-year-old Chock Chapple, an insurance executive, and their chemistry culminated in an engagement at the season’s end. Joan and Chock are reportedly spending significantly more time together than Gerry and Theresa ever did, leading to speculation about the possibility of a forthcoming Golden Bachelor wedding.
|
Gerry Turner |
72 |
|
Theresa Nist |
70 |
|
Joan Vassos |
63 |
|
Chock Chapple |
60 |
Audiences can stream the captivating season 1 of The Golden Bachelorette on Hulu.
Sources: Bachelor Nation/YouTube, Two Jersey J’s Podcast, People
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