Not long after she was announced as the first-ever Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos admits she was surprised by Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s divorce.
While speaking to CNN, Vassos said she “loved” watching Turner and Nist on “their journey.” Turner, who was the first-ever Golden Bachelor, married Nist in early Jan. 2024. However, three months later, the couple publicly announced their split.
“I saw them fall in love,” Joan Vassos said about Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist. “I believed, just, like – they did that. They were like the perfect couple.”
Vassos did appear on Turner’s Golden Bachelor season but ended up leaving the show early to return to her family. She applauded the former spouses for jumping “into this process with both feet.”
“They were ready to find love and they knew what true love was,” she continued. “They both had it in their previous lives. So I applaud them for doing that and I also applaud them when they discovered it wasn’t perfect.”
Joan Vassos further pointed out that it’s not “the end of the world” that Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist ended their marriage.
“We have to let them live their journey and follow their hearts,” she added. “And it wasn’t right for them. I did not see it coming.”
Vassos pointed out that Turner and Nist are “still good friends” despite their split.
Gerry Turner Publicly Celebrates Joan Vassos Being Named the ‘Golden Bachelorette’
Following the news that Joan Vassos was named the Golden Bachelorette, Gerry Turner took to Instagram to congratulate her on the big announcement.
“Dear Joan, congratulations on being named the first ever Golden Bachelorette,” he stated in a picture. “You will be phenomenal as the new representative of a generation. From one golden to another… relax, breathe, and enjoy. Gerry.”
“And, ABC makes History, once again!!!” he captioned the post.
Vassos took to the post to thank Turner. “What a beautiful message from my fellow golden. You have taught me so much about being open and vulnerable and how looking for love at this age can be dignified and fun. Thank you my friend for setting the stage for the rest of us Goldens…and I’m open to advice!!!”
Others responded to the post by writing. “Don’t pick a guy [who] won’t move where [you] want to live!” one fan wrote. “Gerry and Theresa were a waste of time to watch.”
Another added, “Plot twist: Gerry becomes a contestant.”
The First season of the Golden Bachelor will premiere later this year.