WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUT GOLDEN BACHELOR IN PARADISE!The Golden Bachelor season 1 star Gerry Turner will not be part of the upcoming cast of Golden Bachelor in Paradise, and there are very valid reasons behind his decision. Gerry, who captured hearts during The Golden Bachelor season 1 in 2023, got engaged to Theresa Nist. The couple tied the knot on January 4, 2024, during the much-anticipated Golden Wedding ceremony. However, just three months post-wedding, Gerry and Theresa announced their divorce, citing conflicting preferences on where to reside, as both were reluctant to leave their families behind. Furthermore, in late 2024, Gerry disclosed his battle with an incurable, slow-growing form of bone marrow cancer, known as Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, which prompted him to reevaluate his life priorities.

During the thrilling finale of The Bachelor season 29, host Jesse Palmer announced that the upcoming season 10 of Bachelor in Paradise would uniquely feature Golden Bachelor in Paradise, effectively combining two shows into one exciting experience. The first two cast members revealed were The Golden Bachelor runner-up Leslie Fhima and The Golden Bachelorette contestant Gary Levingston. Despite speculation about whether Gerry would join the cast after his season, he has confirmed that he has no intentions of heading to the beach for this particular series.

Understanding Gerry Turner’s Decision to Skip Golden Bachelor In Paradise

Gerry’s Thoughtful Reason for Opting Out of the Cast

In a candid interview with TMZ, Gerry disclosed that he declined an invitation to participate in Golden Bachelor in Paradise in early March 2025, after producers reached out to him regarding a potential casting opportunity. His primary motivation for not heading to the beach stems from the fact that he is already acquainted with the Golden women who are slated to be cast members, and they have mutually realized that there is a lack of romantic chemistry among them.

Despite his reluctance to join the cast, Gerry expressed his openness to participating if new women are brought in. This concept could be exciting, especially considering the limited number of women from the previous season of Golden Bachelor in Paradise. Drawing inspiration from Bachelor in Paradise Canada, which features contestants who have not been part of any previous shows alongside franchise alumni, this could add a fresh dynamic to the series.

Will Gerry Turner Make a Special Appearance in Golden Bachelor?

Gerry is Open to Joining the Show in a Different Role

Even though Gerry is not interested in competing on Golden Bachelor in Paradise, he remains open to the possibility of joining the show in a different capacity, such as making a cameo appearance, hosting a date, or acting as a barback for Bachelor in Paradise bartender Wells Adams. He showcased his supportive nature during his appearance on Golden Bachelorette when he provided valuable advice to Joan Vassos, proving he could excel in a similar role during Golden Bachelor in Paradise. Gerry could also take on the role of a mentor, guiding the younger contestants from Bachelor in Paradise season 10.

So far, three contestants for Bachelor in Paradise season 10 have been announced. They are The Bachelorette season 21 alums Jonathon Johnson and Hakeem Moulton, along with The Bachelor season 29 contestant Zoe McGrady. The anticipation is building regarding who else will join this exciting cast.

Why It Makes Sense for Gerry to Forego Golden Bachelor in Paradise

Gerry Has Previously Dated All of the Golden Women

Gerry is indeed making a wise choice by opting out of the cast for Golden Bachelor in Paradise. The scenario of him being present at the beach while watching his runner-up, Leslie, the woman he once loved, date other men could be incredibly uncomfortable. Furthermore, Leslie might find her experience affected negatively by Gerry’s presence, especially since she felt blindsided during their breakup. Additionally, as Gerry pointed out, he has already dated the other Golden women and understands that there is no romantic connection that aligns with what he seeks.

Although Golden Bachelor in Paradise has so far only confirmed Leslie as a contestant from The Golden Bachelor, fans can speculate that many other fan-favorite alums are likely to appear on the show as well. Potential participants may include Faith Martin, Ellen Goltzer, Sandra Mason, Susan Noles, Kathy Swarts, Nancy Hulkower, Natascha Hardee, and Edith Aguirre. There is even a possibility that Theresa might decide to give the franchise another shot and join the beach festivities.

Interestingly, there are two Golden Bachelor alumni who will not be appearing in Golden Bachelor in Paradise due to their current relationships. April Kirkwood confirmed her new relationship in November 2024, while Joan Vassos became The Golden Bachelorette and is now joyfully engaged to Chock Chapple. Moreover, some cast members have already formed connections post-show, such as Leslie with Jordan Heller and Sandra with Charles King, though these relationships appear to be casual, especially with Leslie confirmed to join the cast.

While it could have been entertaining to witness Gerry give his <em>Golden Bachelor</em> contestants another opportunity at love, he is correct in his belief that abstaining from the show is likely the best course of action. Nevertheless, it would be fantastic to see him make an appearance on the beach in a different role. As the original Golden Bachelor, Gerry broke new ground within the Bachelor franchise with his season, and he deserves recognition for that. It would be wonderful if Gerry could join the beach festivities in some capacity during Golden Bachelor in Paradise.

Source: TMZ