With the highly anticipated return ofThe Golden Bachelorexpected any day now, it’s the perfect time to talk about the possible identity of the new lead. Judging by the first season,The Golden Bachelorseason 2 could be filming sometime this summer, and the pressure is on the show’s producers to pick a great new lead for the beloved Bachelor spin-off. The first season’s lead was 72-year-old Gerry Turner, a widower and retired restaurateur from Indiana. Despite multiple controversies, Gerry was a highly entertaining romantic lead, and his shoes will be difficult to fill.
The Golden Bachelorseason 1ended with Gerry giving his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist, and the couple got engaged. After just a few short weeks of a whirlwind engagement,Gerry and Theresa married in a lavishGolden Bachelortelevised weddingevent. The septuagenarian couple announced their divorce only three months later. Despite the bad outcome, the show was a massive hit and led toThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, which was well-received. It’s unclear who the nextGolden Bachelorwill be, but it likely won’t go to any fan front-runners.
Mark Anderson Is Already In A Relationship
He’s Off The Market… For Now
A fan favorite to replace Gerry was 58-year-old Mark Anderson. He made his television premiere alongside his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, onThe Bachelor28 and was then cast inThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. He was one of 24 singleGoldenmen who had traveled all over the country to date61-year-old Joan Vassos. Joan and Mark had a lot in common, asthey were both widowers. Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years before he died in 2021, whileMark was married to Denise Andersonfor 18 years before she died in 2018.
20 Best Reality TV Dating Shows
Reality TV dating has become a complex and nuanced part of the genre, welcoming all different types of dating shows. Here are the 20 best!
Though Joan seemed to like Mark well enough, she connected to other men more. After a painfully awkward solo date on a luxury yacht, Joan told Mark there was “something missing” between them and sent him home before the next rose ceremony. Though Mark was devastated by his elimination, he soon met someone new. Markwas recently out with Barbara Alyn Woods, an actress best known for her work onOne Tree Hill. During Halloween,Barbaraposted an Instagram photo whereBarbara is dressed as Cinderella and Mark as Prince Charming.
“I was like, ‘Dad, is she Cinderella and you’re Prince Charming? There’s definitely more than friends.'”
WhileMark and Barbara haven’t addressed the relationship, Kelsey recently confirmed it toE! News. “I feel like they love each other,” Kelsey even went so far as to say. She also addressedMark’s now-famous Halloween photo. According to Kelsey, Mark told her he was hanging out with his friend on Halloween. When Kelsey saw they were dressed as Prince Charming and Cinderella, she realized it was serious. “I was like, ‘Dad, is she Cinderella and you’re Prince Charming? There’s definitely more than friends.'” Though Mark was a fan favorite to beThe Golden Bachelor, his relationship makes him ineligible.
Jonathan Rone Just Recently Became Single
He Won’t Be Ready By Summer
Another fan favorite fromThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 was Jonathan Rone, a61-year-old shipping consultant from Oakland, Iowa. Joan and John connected during her group prom date, where he impressed Joan with his sensitive vulnerability and dance skills. Their relationship never took off, and she eliminated him before hometown dates. Jonathan appeared onThe Golden BacheloretteMen Tell Allspecial in November 2024, confirming he was in a new relationship. Days later, hegushed about his relationship with Michelle Zimmermanon social media.
“I know my person is out there, and I’ll find them when the time is right.”
The couple seemed happy together andlooked like Jonathan and Michelle had found true love. However,they recently came to an end.Jonathanrecently posted an Instagram video explaining the relationship was over. “With a heavy heart, I want to share that I’m no longer in a relationship,” wroteThe Golden Bacheloretteseason alumni. “I know my person is out there, and I’ll find them when the time is right.” Though it’s probably too late for Jonathan to leadThe Golden Bachelorseason 2, he could still be a contestant onGolden Bachelor In Paradiseif there is a season.
After a season of dates, Joan narrowed her field down to 60-year-old Chock Chapple and 66-year-old Guy Gansert. During the final episode ofThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, Joan gave her final rose to Chock, eliminating Guy. The ER doctor from Reno would have been a natural choice to beThe Golden Bachelor,butapersonal controversy could cost him the opportunity. WhileThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 aired,Peoplereported Guy’s ex-wife, Heidi O’Gara,filed a temporary protective order in October 2021.
Heidi accused Guy of having anger issues, and engaging in threatening behavior.
Though Heidi dropped the order a month later, before it was granted,some of her accusations are disturbing. Heidi accused Guy of having anger issues, and engaging in threatening behavior.Thoughthe order was dropped,Guy’s contentious relationship with his ex-wifemay make it difficult for producers to cast him.Guyaddressed the temporary protective order on Instagram, but the controversy may still get in his way.
Who Is The New Lead?
It Could Be An Unknown Person
Though manyBachelorfranchise leads come from past franchise shows, it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way.The Golden Bacheloretteincluded 24 contestants, and maybe that’s not casting a wide enough net. If producers ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 2 want to find the perfect lead, they may have to open it up to men who weren’t once eliminated by Joan.
72 years old
58 years old
61 years old
66 years old
