Since the premiere of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, online rumors have run rampant about an alleged producer plant. Many are convinced that the show's producers cast at least one contestant for purposes other than winning the heart of 61-year-old Joan Vassos. The widowed private school administrator made her television debut on The Golden Bachelor season 1, when she competed for 72-year-old Gerry Turner. A family emergency called Joan away from Gerry's season early, but she was given another chance to find love on a Bachelor Nation show.
Joan kicked off the premiere of The Golden Bachelorette season 1 by greeting the 24 single Golden men competing for her rose boutonnières. Among the men was Chock Chapple, a 60-year-old insurance executive from Witchita, Kansas. Despite some dramatic ups and downs, Joan continues to pin roses on Chock, and even meets his family during hometown dates. While other men seem to really like Joan, it's clear that Chock has fallen head over heels in love with her, and deserves her final rose.
Chock Got The First Solo Date
Dream Date At The Magic Kingdom
Surprisingly, Chock didn't even receive Joan's first impression rose, an honor that went to 62-year-old Keith Gordon, who Joan eliminated before her hometown dates. Chock did, however, receive the first solo date of The Golden Bachelorette season 1. The other men seethed with jealousy when Joan picked Chock up for their Disneyland dream date.
Joan and Chock's date was magical. They rode the rides, met some of their favorite characters, and even shared a romantic kiss under the magic kingdom's famed fireworks display. The date ended with Joan giving Chock a rose, ensuring he'd be back for the foreseeable future.
Chock Came Back
He Wanted To Be There
Joan and Chock have a lot in common, including the fact that they both exited Bachelor Nation shows because of family emergencies. Joan left The Golden Bachelor season 1 because her daughter had just given birth and desperately needed her mother. Chock left The Golden Bachelorette season 1 because his mother died after many years of battling cancer. While Joan never returned to Gerry's season and ended up being cast as The Bachelor spin-off's first female lead, Chock came back to continue dating Joan. He clearly wanted to be there because he was deeply in love with Joan.
Chock Understands Joan
They Have So Much In Common
In addition to both leaving Bachelor Nation shows early, Joan and Chock have both lost great loves. Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years until he died in 2021, and Chock lost his fiancé of nine years, Katherine Elizabeth White Goree, in 2022. With The Golden Bachelorette season 1 reaching its conclusion, only time will tell if Joan gives Chock her final rose. One thing is for certain; Chock wants Joan's final rose, and her heart.
Joan's Remaining Men |
Age |
Occupation |
Hometown |
Chock |
60 |
Insurance executive |
Wichita, KA |
Guy |
66 |
ER doctor |
Reno, NV |
Jordan |
61 |
Sales manager |
Chicago, Ill. |
Pascal |
69 |
Salon Owner |
Chicago, Ill. |