As the first season of The Golden Bachelorette has come to an end, fans cannot help but notice the evident differences between Joan Vassos and Gerry Turner, who was the star of The Golden Bachelor. The trajectory of Turner’s public reputation certainly took a hit after his season had run its course.
Although he left with Theresa Nist in his hand, even having their very own Golden Wedding, they ended up getting divorced within three months of their marriage. There is no denying that Vassos approached the enter program with a completely different mindset, so much so, that many believe that Turner could learn a thing or two from her about being on the series.
With this in mind, here are five lessons that Vassos could have taught Turner that could have helped him have a more successful season.
5) Joan Vassos Was Very Clear About Her Intentions During the Fantasy Suites
The Fantasy Suites are a very important tradition in the Bachelor programs, where the lead contestant spends an overnight date with the final three without any cameras spying on them. Gerry Turner’s Fantasy Suits are still a mystery to the world. Although he did make a joke that suggested that something happened, many are still confused about the same.
One can imagine that a potential fiance spending the night with someone else and not knowing what happened during it would be a conflict for any budding relationship. This is why Joan Vassos’ approach to the Fantasy Suites was a lot better, making it clear to all of her pursuers that she was not going to do anything physical with any of them.
Instead, she wanted to focus the time she had on getting to know the other person better so that she could make a more informed decision about who was right for her.
4) Vassos Did Not Come With An Engagement as a Goal
When Vassos first started her season, she made it very clear that she was not coming into the series with an engagement as a goal. Although she was open to finding someone who would bring a ring, she did not mind leaving the series with bare hands. This allowed less pressure to be put on the entire season and all of its contestants, rather than trying to jump the gun, going from strangers to engaged within the span of less than two months.
Turner, on the other hand, seemed to desperately want to get engaged by the end of his season, forcing the act to lose its significance and seem more out of need than love.
3) Marriage Wasn’t Rushed By Vassos
One of the most notable things about Gerry Turner’s run in the series was the fact that he fell in love, got engaged, got married, and got divorced in a very short span. The most talked-about aspect of his run was his Golden Wedding with Theresa Nist, which happened three months after their engagement. During an interview with The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast, Nist confessed that she felt pressured to get married because the studio offered to pay for their wedding if they got married in a specific time frame.
Joan Vassos, on the other hand, does not seem to be in a hurry to get married, which could be a very good thing for her engagement with Chock Chapple.
2) Joan Vassos Was Very Clear About Her Roots
From the very start, Vassos set a lot of her priorities and wants in a partner clear. This was also her relationship with her family. She made it evidently clear that she was not willing to move away from her children and grandchildren. This helped in getting rid of any future conflict or miscommunication when she was picking a partner.
Turner, on the other hand, did not make it seem like he was too attached to his roots in Indiana. However, after he got married to Theresa Nist, both of their unwillingness to move away from their families was the biggest reason that led to their divorce.
1) Vassos Did Not Say “I Love You” To Three People
During his run on The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner said “I love you” to three people. There is no denying that over the years, carelessly throwing these heavy words around has broken many hearts. Turner ended up being one of them, telling these emotional words to three women in some very compromising settings.
He told Faith Martin that he loved her in front of her family and told the same thing to Leslie Fhima while adding that she was the one for him. Joan Vassos, on the other hand, reserved these special words for her true “the one,” telling only Chock Chapple that she loved him.
