The Golden Bachelorette: All About the Dating Show Starring Joan Vassos

Mar. 15, 2025

Joan Vassos of ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.Photo:Disney/Ramona Rosales

Disney/Ramona Rosales

Joan Vassos' roses are in order!ABC’s inaugural season ofThe Golden Bachelorettepremieres this fall, starring the former contestant of the senior dating reality show who appeared onGerry Turner’s season ofThe Golden Bachelor.Vassos' intention to find love again was cut short on the show when shevoluntarily decided to step away from the seriesto prioritize her family. The network revealed in May 2024 that she’d have another shot at finding a potential partner in Bachelor Nation — but this time, as the show’s lead.Before the casting news became public, the Maryland native said on a May episode of theBachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hourpodcast that shehoped to find love againbut didn’t want to look for it on dating apps. She also revealed what she’s looking for in a man.“I’m OK with a bald guy,” Vassos said the podcast. “My husband, my late husband, was bald, and I thought he was very sexy, so that’s fine. Got to have all your teeth, that’s good. I want somebody who’s fit. I want somebody who takes care of themselves. I want somebody who is active.“In anexclusive first-lookof the upcoming series, Vassos told her kids what qualities she’s seeking in a potential partner — to which the mother of four responded, “I’m very picky about a man being a gentleman… Somebody with a big heart, somebody who is generous and also somebody who’s humble.“Read on for everything to know aboutThe Golden Bachelorette, including who’s in the cast and when the series premieres.Who is the star ofThe Golden Bachelorette?Joan Vassos of “The Golden Bachelorette” on ABC.ABC/Ricky MiddlesworthJoan Vassos is thefirst-ever leading ladyofThe Golden Bachelorette. Though, she’s no stranger to Bachelor Nation having appeared as a contestant on Gerry Turner’s season ofThe Golden Bachelor.Unfortunately, Vassos' journey to find love on the senior dating show was cut short whenshe chose to to withdrawduring week three to prioritize her family. She explained her reason for stepping away onInstagramin October 2023.“My journey to find love took a detour this week as I traded the mansion for motherhood and headed home to be with my family. Family comes first, period. Once a mother, always a mother, I’ll always choose my kids first,” she wrote in part.Vassos' husband of 32 years, John, died in January 2021 from pancreatic cancer. In anexclusive first lookat the upcoming series, the mother of four told her kids that she doesn’t want “to replace dad,” explaining, “I just want our family to be whole again.“In January 2024, Vassos shared a tribute to John onInstagram. “He was the husband that always made me feel safe and cherished. He was the parent that was always the fun one because that’s all he knew how to do…lucky kids because fun in his book was generally epic. I could go on for hours,” she wrote in part.Outside of being a mother and a grandma of two grandkids, Vassos is a school administrator. She also shares a close relationship with her formerGolden Bachelorcast.Who’s in the cast ofThe Golden Bachelorette?“The Golden Bachelorette” season one cast.Disney/Ricky MiddlesworthOn Aug. 13, ABC revealedthe 25 suitors who will vie for Vassos' heartwhen the inaugural season ofThe Golden Bachelorettepremieres this fall. The cast even includes someone with pre-existing ties to Bachelor Nation…Kelsey Anderson’s dad, Mark!If that name sounds familiar, it’s because fans were introduced to Mark duringJoey Graziadei’s season ofThe Bachelor. Since first meeting during the hometown episode, he’s gone on to become Graziadei’s future father-in-law after Kelsey’s journey ended in proposal.According to his ABC bio, “Mark is empathetic and warm and has dedicated his life to working for the military. His five children are his greatest accompaniment, and he can’t wait to have grandchildren one day.“Mark’s also “ready for love after loss” and “loved watchingThe Golden Bachelorbecause it made him realize he’s not alone in his grief,” his bio reads. “He hopes to meet a woman to plant roots with again.“In addition to Mark — who’s an army veteran from Leesville, La. — a few of Vassos' other suitors include retired banking CEO Michael, financial adviser RJ, FDNY Chief Thomas, emergency room doctor Guy, private investor Dan and portfolio manager Charles K.Who’s hostingThe Golden Bachelorette?Bachelor Nation host Jesse Palmer.Craig Sjodin/ABC via GettyBachelor Nation’s Jesse Palmer will hostThe Golden Bachelorette. He confirmed the news onInstagramin July 2024.“It’s been a busy summer…🌹 #goldenbachelorette #bachelornation,” wrote Palmer alongside a photo with Vasso. The host was wearing a classic suit and tie while the leading lady dressed in a sparkly dress that — of course — shimmered in gold.Where to watchThe Golden Bachelorette?The Golden Bachelorettewill premiere exclusively on ABC. Episodes will also be able to stream a day after on Hulu.When doesThe Golden Bachelorettepremiere?The first season ofThe Golden Bachelorettepremiereson Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Joan Vassos' roses are in order!

ABC’s inaugural season ofThe Golden Bachelorettepremieres this fall, starring the former contestant of the senior dating reality show who appeared onGerry Turner’s season ofThe Golden Bachelor.

Vassos' intention to find love again was cut short on the show when shevoluntarily decided to step away from the seriesto prioritize her family. The network revealed in May 2024 that she’d have another shot at finding a potential partner in Bachelor Nation — but this time, as the show’s lead.

Before the casting news became public, the Maryland native said on a May episode of theBachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hourpodcast that shehoped to find love againbut didn’t want to look for it on dating apps. She also revealed what she’s looking for in a man.

“I’m OK with a bald guy,” Vassos said the podcast. “My husband, my late husband, was bald, and I thought he was very sexy, so that’s fine. Got to have all your teeth, that’s good. I want somebody who’s fit. I want somebody who takes care of themselves. I want somebody who is active.”

In anexclusive first-lookof the upcoming series, Vassos told her kids what qualities she’s seeking in a potential partner — to which the mother of four responded, “I’m very picky about a man being a gentleman… Somebody with a big heart, somebody who is generous and also somebody who’s humble.”

Read on for everything to know aboutThe Golden Bachelorette, including who’s in the cast and when the series premieres.

Who is the star ofThe Golden Bachelorette?

Joan Vassos of “The Golden Bachelorette” on ABC.ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Joan Vassos is thefirst-ever leading ladyofThe Golden Bachelorette. Though, she’s no stranger to Bachelor Nation having appeared as a contestant on Gerry Turner’s season ofThe Golden Bachelor.

Unfortunately, Vassos' journey to find love on the senior dating show was cut short whenshe chose to to withdrawduring week three to prioritize her family. She explained her reason for stepping away onInstagramin October 2023.

“My journey to find love took a detour this week as I traded the mansion for motherhood and headed home to be with my family. Family comes first, period. Once a mother, always a mother, I’ll always choose my kids first,” she wrote in part.

Vassos' husband of 32 years, John, died in January 2021 from pancreatic cancer. In anexclusive first lookat the upcoming series, the mother of four told her kids that she doesn’t want “to replace dad,” explaining, “I just want our family to be whole again.”

In January 2024, Vassos shared a tribute to John onInstagram. “He was the husband that always made me feel safe and cherished. He was the parent that was always the fun one because that’s all he knew how to do…lucky kids because fun in his book was generally epic. I could go on for hours,” she wrote in part.

Outside of being a mother and a grandma of two grandkids, Vassos is a school administrator. She also shares a close relationship with her formerGolden Bachelorcast.

Who’s in the cast ofThe Golden Bachelorette?

“The Golden Bachelorette” season one cast.Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

On Aug. 13, ABC revealedthe 25 suitors who will vie for Vassos' heartwhen the inaugural season ofThe Golden Bachelorettepremieres this fall. The cast even includes someone with pre-existing ties to Bachelor Nation…Kelsey Anderson’s dad, Mark!

If that name sounds familiar, it’s because fans were introduced to Mark duringJoey Graziadei’s season ofThe Bachelor. Since first meeting during the hometown episode, he’s gone on to become Graziadei’s future father-in-law after Kelsey’s journey ended in proposal.

According to his ABC bio, “Mark is empathetic and warm and has dedicated his life to working for the military. His five children are his greatest accompaniment, and he can’t wait to have grandchildren one day.”

Mark’s also “ready for love after loss” and “loved watchingThe Golden Bachelorbecause it made him realize he’s not alone in his grief,” his bio reads. “He hopes to meet a woman to plant roots with again.”

In addition to Mark — who’s an army veteran from Leesville, La. — a few of Vassos' other suitors include retired banking CEO Michael, financial adviser RJ, FDNY Chief Thomas, emergency room doctor Guy, private investor Dan and portfolio manager Charles K.

Who’s hostingThe Golden Bachelorette?

Bachelor Nation host Jesse Palmer.Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty

Bachelor Nation’s Jesse Palmer will hostThe Golden Bachelorette. He confirmed the news onInstagramin July 2024.

“It’s been a busy summer…🌹 #goldenbachelorette #bachelornation,” wrote Palmer alongside a photo with Vasso. The host was wearing a classic suit and tie while the leading lady dressed in a sparkly dress that — of course — shimmered in gold.

Where to watchThe Golden Bachelorette?

The Golden Bachelorettewill premiere exclusively on ABC. Episodes will also be able to stream a day after on Hulu.

When doesThe Golden Bachelorettepremiere?

The first season ofThe Golden Bachelorettepremiereson Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com