The Golden Bachelor star Theresa Nist is wishing Joan Vassos with a special message as she embarks on her upcoming journey as The Golden Bachelorette. Joan had left Gerry Turner’s season to take care of her daughter despite being a frontrunner. Joan is a 61-year-old mother of four. Joan’s husband of 32 years, John, died in January 2021 from pancreatic cancer. Joan had planned on returning to the show if her daughter felt better, but that never happened, and Theresa got married to her now ex, Gerry. Theresa and Gerry split when they couldn’t agree on where to live.
Theresa took to her Instagram after Joan was named the first Golden Bachelorette.
Theresa posted a special Story for Joan revealing how she felt about the surprising announcement. While a few viewers were rooting for Theresa to be made the incoming lead, Joan had been declared the inaugural Golden Bachelorette. Theresa shared a sweet photo of herself with Joan. The two ladies were in deep conversation in one of the photos and smiling gleefully in the other. Theresa had a special message for Joan. She wrote, “My dear Joan, I am so excited for you!!”
Theresa’s ex-husband and the man who probably would have become Joan’s husband if she hadn’t left the show early, Gerry, also had a sweet reaction to the news. Gerry praised the network for making history once again. He posted a note to Joan as an Instagram post to congratulate her. He told Joan that she was going to be phenomenal as the new representative of a generation. He asked Joan to relax, breathe, and enjoy “from one golden to another.” Fans joked that they’re expecting Gerry to be a contestant as he didn’t get to romance Joan on the show.
The Bachelor Nation was touched by what Joan did for her family. They wished for her to have her turn at love again and wanted to follow Joan’s golden journey as she meets her “the one.” Joan’s followers were certain that if Joan had stayed on the show, she would have easily become one of the last two contestants, as Gerry had connected with her during whatever little time they’d spent together. Joan had told Gerry that she needed to leave and had to abandon their blooming connection, so she could be with her daughter living with postpartum depression.
Still, The Bachelor Nation thinks that The Golden Bachelorette season 1 might work out for Joan only if the men cast live close to the lead. There’s little chance Joan will move cities to be with a man she’s just met or will meet someone who wants to relocate. Joan’s sincerity shone through during The Golden Bachelor because of how hopelessly romantic she was while having a practical approach. However, some comments about Joan not being authentic enough and putting on a show have already started to surface online, suggesting there’s more criticism to follow.
Source: Theresa Nist/Instagram, Gerry Turner/Instagram