Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple Tell All on Their ‘Golden Bachelorette’ Engagement, Wedding Plans and Who the Next ‘Golden Bachelor’ Should Be

As I watched Chappelle and Vassos share their heartwarming story of love found later in life, I couldn’t help but be moved by their courage and determination. Both have lived rich lives filled with experiences, successes, and challenges that have molded them into the remarkable individuals they are today.

Joan Vassos, affectionately known as “Golden Bachelorette,” now sports a new piece of jewelry on her left hand. The pioneer of ABC’s senior dating show found love during the series finale and accepted Chock Chapple‘s proposal, which came with a Neil Lane ring.

Vassos is a school administrator with four kids and two grandkids, and in the debut season of “The Golden Bachelor,” she participated in the quest for love under Gerry Turner’s guidance. Although she appeared to be a strong contender from the start, she had to exit during the third week due to an urgent need to assist her daughter who was experiencing a medical crisis.

During the trailblazing “Golden Bachelorette” season by Vassos, she reduced the pool of suitors from 24, each amidst her own personal struggles following the loss of her husband John in 2021 due to pancreatic cancer.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share some personal insights about Chapple, Vassos’ last selection. Married for twelve years, he was a father of two wonderful children with his former spouse. Later in life, he found love again with Kathy, who became his partner for almost a decade. Unfortunately, she passed away from a brain tumor in 2022.

Despite Vassos and Chapple’s strong chemistry, which even led to a private date, their story nearly ended prematurely when Chapple’s mother passed away during filming. This event caused him to leave the mansion and reunite with his family. However, he chose to return, expressing in an interview, “I couldn’t stay away… I have a rare chance with a wonderful woman that not many people around the world get.

As Vassos narrowed down her potential partners, her bond with the chosen one stayed robust. Eventually, Vassos dismissed Guy Gansert, the first runner-up, before their last date, as she felt beyond a doubt that Chapple was the right match for her.

As for myself, I’ve found love only once, but it has bloomed into more than one now. Today, I find myself deeply in love with Chock, and I long to share the remainder of my life with him. He brings a sense of hope and a vision of the future that I had lost.

At the ceremony, Vassos expressed his love for Chapple (Chapple had previously told Vassos that he loved her on their last date, but Vassos preferred to wait before reciprocating), and Chapple pledged to respect Kathy and John. “I promise to uphold him by cherishing you each day,” he declared. “That’s the most significant commitment for me.

Vassos and Chapple had a chat with EbMaster discussing their touching plan, the steps they’ll take in their relationship going forward, and who they think the next “Golden Bachelor” or “Golden Bachelorette” should be.

How does it feel to not have to keep your relationship a secret anymore?

Chock Chapple: I’m absolutely thrilled. It truly is. We’re eager to embark on our shared journey, our life as a duo.

Joan Vassos: It’s wonderful to be among our loved ones, not just virtually but truly present together – a change from the long-term separation we’ve experienced.

Chock, what was going through your head as you were walking up to meet Joan for the proposal, and as you started talking? Were you confident you were her final pick?

The day before, we were at the bungalow. Joan visited, and for three weeks, I tried to make her confess her affection for me, but I couldn’t succeed. You know I can be persuasive sometimes. We had a conversation on the couch, then went outside. I invited Joan for a kiss, yearning for her to express her love, but the kiss itself resolved everything. It was extraordinary, almost magical. And I declared, “Nobody kisses you like that unless they truly, deeply love you.” That’s what I longed for.

Even for a fully-grown man, there’s always a flutter of nerves, yet when I turned the corner and beheld her in that pristine white gown – she was breathtakingly beautiful – and she offered me a smile, my spirits instantly lifted.

I got a little teary watching the proposal when, Chock, you talked about honoring John and Kathy. Joan, what was it like hearing that from Chock?

Vassos: The reason it’s crucial is because John will always be a part of my life, as will Kathy his, given their long-standing presence in ours. Letting go or ceasing to discuss him would be incredibly difficult for me. Yet, his ease with the situation and his conversations with my children about it – “I’m not here to replace your father, I want to honor his memory” – resonates deeply with me. This sentiment applies equally to Kathy. It significantly eases our relationship by removing any potential tension and making things simpler.

Chock’s journey seemed like it could be cut short when his mom died. Joan, what was going through your head at that time, besides obviously feeling incredibly sad for Chock? Were you worried you had lost the person you might be choosing in the end?

John: I completely understand what you’re saying. Initially, it seemed dreadful to me, considering the unfortunate incident happening during filming when one wasn’t even present. However, I later found out that this had been a prolonged struggle for them due to her cancer, and he had invested significant time with her prior to his departure. Thus, it was truly a blessing for him to have spent time with her while she was alive instead of returning only after her passing. But when he informed me about her demise, I realized that he needed to depart promptly to check on his loved ones, as they were undoubtedly grieving.

I became extremely concerned when he didn’t seem likely to return, as I had no idea what awaited him upon arrival, even though he believed everything was fine and repeatedly assured me, “I’ll be back, I’ll be back.” I understood that there could never be absolute certainty in such a situation. It was then that I realized how much he meant to me. Although I had already sensed it, the possibility of his non-return made me wonder if I could continue this journey. He is my key companion, the one I deeply care about, and our bond is something I’ve built over time. If he doesn’t return, that will always be a lingering question in my mind.

Chock, was there ever a question for you of whether you were coming back to the show?

It’s fascinating how the people around us can influence our destiny. In this case, I was inspired to return by Joan, who urged me to do so, and my brother joined as well. However, three days into it, my stepdad, George, suggested I should leave. If he hadn’t spoken up, I might not have returned. Such situations can be confusing. But George, understanding the value of [Joan in my life] and our bond, advised me to return. He emphasized, “We have everything here,” which was crucial in helping me make that decision. I was fortunate he guided me in this way.

Chock, you live in Kansas, and Joan, you live in Maryland. How are you two going to divide up spending time together? Is it true you’re going to find a place in New York City in the meantime?

Chapple: To clarify, one element of the present I bestowed upon Vassos during our show was known as “The Chock Lock.” This was essentially a symbolic key to a location in New York City. We had shared an aspiration to visit the city and hadn’t considered it for about twenty years. The allure of New York, with its iconic landmarks like the World Trade Center, has always been strong, particularly among young entrepreneurs. Since Joan expressed a desire to spend some time in the city, it seemed fitting. In truth, this was more than just a gift to her; it was also a present for me as well.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve always dreamt of crafting scenes that intertwine my space, theirs, and ours eventually. The timing for this blend isn’t set in stone yet, but when everything falls into place, it will be perfect. We’re thrilled about it. Tomorrow, we embark on a journey to New York City, where we’ll spend the weekend. My two kids will join us there, and on Monday, we’ve got an entire day earmarked for house-hunting with the realtor, starting our quest for our joint space.

Are you thinking about a wedding in the future? Would you make it televised like Gerry and Theresa Nist?

Vassos: We often discuss it. He inquires almost daily, “By the way, when will you propose to me?” I definitely plan to propose to him. We both believe that for the upcoming few months, with holidays approaching and us being a new couple exploring the world, we’ll enjoy ourselves as we are without any rush. Once the New Year arrives, around late January, when things have calmed down, we can begin discussing the wedding details then.

At first, I was considering something more intimate and low-key, given our previous large weddings. However, reflecting on it, I’ve grown to appreciate the idea of a wedding that reflects our generation, where people like us are embarking on this journey of love, despite its challenges. It seems like a significant and inspiring conclusion to this journey if it were captured on television. So, we’re open to that possibility.

Who should be our next “Golden Bachelor”?

We believe there are at least eight potential candidates for the role, and we’re not avoiding the question. Each of them has a distinct personality, and any one of them could excel in the position. However, a couple of them have stated they have significant others, so they can’t be considered anymore. So we’re left with eight individuals, and if we were to pick one at random, it could be any of them from Charles Ling to Jordan [Heller] to Keith [Gordon] to Dan [Roemer] to Jack [Lencioni]. Jack would surely provide entertainment, while Charles would offer affection…

Last night, I proudly declared my backing for Charles’ bid for presidency in 2028, jokingly dubbing him as the “Golden Bachelor” or our future president. The excitement in the room was electrifying! It was an unforgettable evening, filled with enthusiasm and admiration for this remarkable individual.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

2024-11-15 04:20