“I am so shocked”— The Golden Bachelorette star Joan Vassos expresses surprise by suitors’ emotional vulnerability

Joan Vassos, the 61-year-old star of The Golden Bachelorette, recently opened up about the emotional depth of the men competing for her heart on the show. In an interview with Us Weekly published on October 16, Vassos shared her surprise at how open and vulnerable the suitors had been throughout her journey.

“This group of men—I am so shocked about how open they are with their feelings and how willing they are to talk to each other,” she said, noting how unusual it was to see men communicate this way.

In the first edition of The Golden Bachelorette, which airs Wednesdays at 8 pm ET, Vassos has been on a journey with a diverse cast of senior men, many of whom have gone through the loss of a spouse or a divorce.

Their shared experiences may have contributed to the emotional openness that has become the center of The Golden Bachelorette.

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Memorable men on Joan’s journey in The Golden Bachelorette

Vassos highlighted several standout suitors, including Chock Chapple, Pascal Ibgui, and Mark Anderson, all of whom left lasting impressions. One of her most memorable dates was with Chock, the 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas.

Joan described their Disneyland one-on-one as “magic,” recalling how natural their conversation felt. “We started talking and never stopped,” she said, to the point where producers had to remind them to take in the atmosphere.

Vassos also compared Chock to her late husband, John, saying,

“I’ve had this feeling that I don’t feel as safe as I used to when John was alive… Chock’s a person who would make you feel safe again.”

Pascal Ibgui, the 69-year-old salon owner from Chicago, has been another memorable contestant, though his larger-than-life personality has sparked controversy. Joan remarked that Pascal’s confidence and lavish lifestyle made him stand out, but she also acknowledged his vulnerability.

“He came from bad circumstances and is completely self-made,” she explained, adding that despite his lack of basic life skills, Pascal has been “fun to be around.”

Mark Anderson, a 57-year-old Army veteran from Leesville, Louisiana, also caught Joan’s attention early on, largely due to his role as the father of The Bachelor season 28 winner, Kelsey Anderson.

Joan admitted that she felt an immediate connection with Mark, saying, “I felt like I knew him a little bit.” She praised his calm demeanor, saying,

“He looks into your eyes and just makes you feel calm.”

Joan was also impressed by how Mark had supported his children after the death of their mother, further solidifying her admiration for him.

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Joan’s emotional journey and future

As The Golden Bachelorette progresses, Joan’s emotional journey has become increasingly complex. Throughout the season, she has been touched by how the men’s shared life experiences—whether through the loss of a spouse or a divorce—have led to a strong emotional bond among the cast.

“They knew that they were in a house with people in this position [where] things hadn’t gone perfectly in their lives,” Joan explained.

This shared understanding helped create a comfort level among the men, allowing them to open up more easily.

“It was amazing how quickly these guys felt comfortable with each other,” she added.

Despite these deep connections, Joan made some difficult decisions as she narrowed down the remaining contestants on the latest episode, which aired on October 16.

Viewers have watched as Joan has navigated her relationships with different suitors, balancing her emotions with the pressure of finding lasting love. The upcoming hometown dates will be a major step in her decision-making process as she gets closer to determining who could be her partner.

Joan entered The Golden Bachelorette as a widow. She entered the show with some reservations but has since embraced the possibility of finding love again.

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Her journey on The Golden Bachelorette has been an emotional rollercoaster. As Joan continues her quest for love, she remains hopeful that one of the remaining men will be the right match for her.

The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 pm ET on ABC.