The Golden BachelorettestarJoan Vassos fell in love with Chock Chapple at the very beginning of her season, so she should’ve ended it early likeThe Bacheloretteseason 16 lead, Clare Crawley, did. Clare left her season after just 12 days when she and Dale Moss fell madly in love, and got engaged. Although they eventually broke up, it was intriguing that Clare broke new ground on the show by leaving early with the man she loved, instead of wasting time dating the other men, with whom she knew she didn’t see a future. After Clare left, Tayshia Adams took over the lead ofThe Bacheloretteseason 16.
Now that it’s become apparent that Joan, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, knew that she loved Chock, a 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas, early in her season, it would’ve been better if she’d followed in Clare’s footsteps by ending herGolden Bacheloretteseason early as well.Although Clare’s decision was very controversial at the time, it actually made a lot of sense. In real life, if someone meets a person that they like and thinks that they could be The One, they don’t date 25-30 other people at the same time. Here’s why Joan should’ve leftThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1with Chock after their first date.
Joan & Chock’s Golden Bachelorette Relationship
Joan & Chock Shared Many Special Moments Together
DuringThe Golden Bachelorette, Joan and Chock shared many special moments together, including their first date in Disneyland, during whichthey opened up to each other about the tragic losses that they’d experienced in their lives. Joan lost her husband of 32 years, John, to pancreatic cancer in 2021, while Chock’s fiancée of nine years, Kathy, passed away in 2022 due to brain cancer.
One of the most defining moments of Joan and Chock’s relationship was when his mother passed away during the show, and he had to leave for a bit. Joan didn’t know if he’d return, but she was ecstatic and relieved when he did. During the bowling group date, Chock stayed by Joan’s side, and it was the first time that the other men saw how strong their connection was. They commented that he was being possessive during the date, but it was apparent at that point that Joan wanted to be close to him.
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During Chock’s hometown date, Joan attended a memorial service for his mother, during which they planted a tree in her honor. This brought them even closer together.Chock told Joan that he loved her at the end of the date. During their final date,Chock gave Joan a heart-shaped keychain, and told her that he wanted to move to New York City with her after the show.
In the end,Joan chose Chock, making him the only man to whom she said"I love you"during the season. He proposed, and she accepted, and they’re currently looking for an apartment in New York City. They’ll also keep their homes in Maryland and Kansas.
When Did Joan Say That She Fell In Love With Chock?
Joan Knew She Loved Chock Right Away
In a December 2024 Instagram post,Joanand Chock appeared in a video in which they returned to Disneyland, six months after their first date there in June. The video began with Joan gushing,“We are back at Disneyland! And this is where we had our first date ever. And it’s actually where I fell in love with Chock.“Chock added,“This is where all the magic happened.”
We are back at Disneyland! And this is where we had our first date ever. And it’s actually where I fell in love with Chock.
Joan and Chock’s first date was not only their first outing together, butJoan’s first date of the entire season. Like Clare, it now appears that she knew that she was going to choose Chock from the beginning, so perhaps it would’ve been better if she hadn’t dated all of the other men until the end of her season.
However,it’s also possible that Joan didn’t realize that she’d fallen in love with Chock in Disneylanduntil after she went through her entireGolden Bacheloretteexperience, and dated the other men. She also might’ve had feelings for other men that she wanted to explore in order to be sure about Chock. After leaving Gerry Turner’sGolden Bachelorseason early in order to attend to a family emergency,Joan deserved the fullGolden Bacheloretteexperience. However, she also could’ve had even more quality time with Chock if she’d ended her season early.
Joan Should’ve Ended Her Season Early
Joan Didn’t Have To Continue To Date The Other Men
One of the main things that’s emphasized during everyBachelorfranchise show season is that, although there are traditional things that are done in every season, they’re not required.Host Jesse Palmer has told many leads that there are no rulesbecause they’re the ones who set the stage for what happens in their seasons. Although most seasons follow the usual format, occasionally leads break the mold, the most shocking of which was when Clare had"blown up The Bachelorette,“as former host Chris Harrison told her,ending her season after 12 days (four episodes) by leaving with Dale.
Therefore, there were no rules on Joan’sGolden Bacheloretteseason either, which means that she could’ve handled the situation however she wanted. During the season,several men developed strong feelings for Joan, including Mark Anderson, Keith Gordon, Jonathan Rone, Jordan Heller, and runner-up Guy Gansert.
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Although Joan had every right to explore her feelings for these men,if she was in love with Chock the whole time, then perhaps she should’ve just leftThe Golden Bachelorettewith him earlier. At the end ofBachelorfranchise shows, the leads are often conflicted about their Final 2, and this even happened withThe Golden Bachelor’sGerrywhen he was torn between Theresa Nist and Leslie Fhima. However, Joan was absolutely sure about Chock, which was very refreshing. In fact, she made a conscious decision to only say,“I love you,“to Chock.
The Golden Bachelorette Runner-Up Guy Gansert Left With A Broken Heart
Joan Broke Up With Guy Early
Joan broke up withGolden Bacheloretterunner-up Guy before he met her children and before their final date, which never happened.She told him that her heart belonged to someone else, meaning Chock. Guy was devastated and heartbroken because he was ready to propose to her. He’d had a hometown date and a Fantasy Suite date, which gave him the impression that he had a good chance of winning her heart.
Perhaps it would have been better if Joan had broken up with Guy even earlier than she did. Her connection with Chock seemed so much stronger than everyone else’s, and it became very apparent at the bowling alley, but some of the men, including Guy, didn’t realize it. He leftThe Golden Bachelorettewith a broken heart, but that could’ve been avoided.
Joan and Chock seemed meant-to-befrom the very beginning ofThe Golden Bachelorette, and now her comment about falling in love with him in Disneyland proves that she loved him right from the start of the season. Although Joan deserved to have the fullGolden Bacheloretteexperience,perhaps she should have followed in Clare’s footsteps, and ended her season early in order to be with Chock. It would’ve saved some of the men heartache, and allowed Joan and Chock to express their love for each other even earlier. It’s beautiful to think that Joan and Chock’s love began in Disneyland, and now they’ll live happily ever after.
The Golden Bachelorette
Cast
The Golden Bachelorette: This reality series offers one woman in her later years the opportunity to find love, as a group of seasoned men compete for her affection. Participants bring diverse romantic histories, seeking a meaningful connection and a chance to build a promising future together.
