The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1’s Joan Vassos could get cold feet about marrying Chock Chapple, and she may end up being a “runaway bride.” It would be a disappointing end to her journey, which started long before the 61-year-old private school administrator was cast asTheBachelorspin-off’s first female lead. She never expected to find herself dating again at her age, let alone dating dozens of single men, but life doesn’t always go as expected. Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years, and they had four children together before he died in 2021.
Joan loved her late husband dearly, and, with their four children grown up and out of the house, she found herself all alone. Sheagreed to appear as a contestant onThe Golden Bachelorseason 1, which was when Joan made her television debut. Though she liked 72-year-old Gerry Turner, her daughter gave birth, so Joan left the season early. She was then cast as the lead,whereJoan met herThe Golden Bachelorettecast, including 60-year-old Chock. He won her final rose, and they got engaged, but there were signs Joan might get cold feet before the wedding.
Joan’s Stalling On A Wedding
Avoiding The Golden Bachelor Curse
Joan accepted Chock’s proposal duringThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, even though shesaid she had no intention of getting engagedat the end of her season. Soon after she was announced as the lead, Joan was interviewed byCNN, where she said she wouldn’t be rushing into marriage. Joan went on to say that she strongly believed people needed more time to get to know each other before entering into such a serious commitment. She insisted that her thoughts on the matter weren’t entirely due to what happened at the end ofThe Golden Bachelor.
20 Best Reality TV Dating Shows
Reality TV dating has become a complex and nuanced part of the genre, welcoming all different types of dating shows. Here are the 20 best!
Despite high expectations,The Golden Bachelorseason 1 ended in a devastating divorce. After Joan left the season early, Gerry gave his final rose to 70-year-old day trader Theresa Nist. The couple rushed into marriage,tying the knot just a few weeks later in a lavish wedding eventthat aired on national television. Hopes were high for the septuagenarian couple, but they announced their divorce three months later. After the massive disappointment, the pressure was on Joan to lead a more successful season, so it’s no wonder she wants to take things slow.
Joan’s reluctance to get engaged all went out the window when Chock got down on one knee and pulled out a sparkling diamond ring.
The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 ended withJoan enthusiastically accepting Chock’s proposalas he slipped the ring onto her finger. Joan would probably say that she changed her mind about getting serious after meeting Chock, but the excitement may be temporary. Joan may change her mind about the relationship once the first flush of new love wears off. IfABC wants anotherGolden Bachelorwedding, they have to hurry up and get Joan and Chock to agree before the initial excitement of a new relationship fades away for the couple.
Joan and Chock’s Long-Distance Relationship Plan Is Sketchy
Gerry & Theresa Tried Something Similar
The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 ended with Joan and Chock getting engaged and riding into the sunset to live happily ever after. The newly engaged couple was interviewed byPeoplesoon after cameras stopped rolling, and theyconfessed that they had no intention of moving in togetheranytime soon. “We’re going to be going back and forth between Kansas to Maryland and to New York,” Chock said.
“We’ll have a full-time place in New York and whenever we get the opportunity, we’re going to be there.”
Joan lived in Maryland before appearing onThe Golden BachelorandThe Golden Bachelorette, while Chock lived in Kansas, and neither plans to change that anytime soon.Joan and Chock won’t live together, aand will instead go back and forth while also spending time at a shared home in New York City. Thismay seem like a good idea now when the relationship is still freshand exciting, but this could be a challenge as time goes on. Joan and Chock should want to live together, and it’s a bad sign that they don’t.
Joan and Chock’s living arrangement is also reminiscent of Gerry and Theresa’s relationship strategy. Before joining the cast ofThe Golden Bachelor, Gerry lived in Indiana, while Theresa lived in New Jersey. Neither wanted to move to the other’s state, and they even talked about moving to a third place, but it never happened. Though it’shard for Joan and Chock to imagine upending their lives for someone they met on a reality TV show, long-distance relationships rarely work, and Joan and Chock may go down the same path as Gerry and Theresa.
Chock’s Known For His Long Engagements
His Romantic History Could Be A Red Flag
After his 12-year marriage to Heather Chapple ended in divorce,Chock was engaged to Katherine Goreefor nine years before she passed away in 2022. During Joan and Chock’s first solo date, he said thatlosing Katherine was the most devastating loss of his life. Though it’s clear that Chock loved his late fiancée deeply, the long engagement could mean he can’t commit. It’s possible his divorce made him gun shy about commitment, which could devastate Joan.
Will Joan Marry Chock?
Doesn’t Seem Likely
The Golden Bacheloretteended with Joan and Chock getting engaged in a scene posted to YouTube byBachelor Nation. Though it’s impossible to see the future, it’s clearJoan and Chock have a tough roadahead of them. Aside from their long-distance plans,Joan doesn’t seem to be over her late husbandyet.Throughout her time onThe Golden BachelorandThe Golden Bachelorette,she often spoke of her beloved late husband and expressed guilt about dating other men. It’s hard to imagine Joan working through that guilt enough to marry Chock.
61 years old
Private school administrator
60 years old
The Golden Bachelorette
Cast
The Golden Bachelorette: This reality series offers one woman in her later years the opportunity to find love, as a group of seasoned men compete for her affection. Participants bring diverse romantic histories, seeking a meaningful connection and a chance to build a promising future together.
