As I delved deeply into the world of reality television, I found myself captivated by a variety of shows, spanning genres from dating competitions to lifestyle dramas like The Housewives. I could immerse myself in nearly any program, but I always found it difficult to connect with the The Bachelor franchise and its numerous spin-offs. The appeal of the Bachelor Nation shows has never resonated with me, leading me to remain an outsider looking in.
Occasionally, I’ve tuned into a season if the lead captured my attention, such as Joey Graziadei’s season, where his genuine intentions were clear. While some leads on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette seem motivated by a desire to become influencers, I decided to give The Golden Bachelor a fair shot, intrigued by the older contestants who bring a wealth of life experience. What truly struck me were the remarkable women participating.
Discover Why ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Offers What ‘The Bachelor’ Cannot
The cast of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor provided me with a newfound appreciation for this spin-off. These women are not only experienced but also dedicated mothers who prioritize their families and children above all else. Their motivations for joining the show stem from genuine desires for love rather than the pursuit of fame or social media recognition, a stark contrast to contestants like Jenn Tran from Season 21 of The Bachelorette or Nick Viall from The Bachelor. These contestants are on a quest for love, making it clear from the outset that their families will always take precedence over personal ambitions or the show itself.
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My fondness for this spin-off stems from the fact that it showcases something rarely seen in The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. The typical narrative often revolves around younger contestants without children, making the selflessness displayed in The Golden Bachelor a refreshing change. While watching, I recognized that I enjoyed this season more than many others from The Bachelor franchise because of the emphasis on family and the idea that love should not eclipse familial responsibilities, a quality that The Bachelor often overlooks.
Why the Contestants of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Embody Selflessness
When I initially tuned into Gerry Turner’s season of The Golden Bachelor, I developed a deep admiration for the first season’s leading lady, Joan Vassos. Early in the season, she faced an unexpected departure due to complications her daughter experienced after childbirth. Although it was early in the competition, I believed that Gerry and Joan shared undeniable chemistry, especially during a memorable group date. When Joan made the difficult decision to self-eliminate in order to support her daughter, Gerry’s visible disappointment was palpable as he expressed his feelings. He said, “I understand, I get it. But I can’t tell you how disappointed I am. I was so excited this morning. I was out of bed dancing. I was thrilled that we had a conversation like we did and there’s a moral compass that we both share and sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest.”
Watching that poignant moment made me reflect on Joan’s incredible qualities as a mother. She entered The Golden Bachelor seeking love after losing her husband, and it appeared that she and Gerry were on a promising path together. Yet, she made it clear that her responsibilities as a mother came first, especially given her daughter’s post-C-section complications. After the episode aired, Joan expressed her gratitude on Instagram, stating, “A huge thank you to everyone expressing their concern for my family. It’s a privilege to be a mom to four amazing kids and a grandmother to two beautiful grandchildren. But once a mom, always a mom and sometimes the timing doesn’t work out with finding love.”
During her time as the leading lady on The Golden Bachelorette, Joan also confided in Nancy Hulkower from Gerry’s season, expressing her fears of being selfish while honoring her late husband. However, her concerns were unfounded; she was merely exhibiting the thought process of a devoted mother. Watching both The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette has illuminated the fact that these women are genuinely seeking love while prioritizing their families, a narrative that is often absent from The Bachelor franchise. For those interested, The Golden Bachelor can be streamed on Prime Video in the US.
