8 The Golden Bachelorette Contestants Who Were Likely Producing Plants (Did They Date Joan Vassos For The Right Reasons?)

Joan Vassos dated 24 single men during The golden bachelorettebut several of them were potentially “producer plants” that weren’t there for the right reason. The 61-year-old Maryland private school administrator has experienced many ups and downs in recent years. In 2021, she lost her husband, John Vassos, to cancer. The couple had been married for 32 years and had four children before John passed away.

Joan was devastated by the loss, which hadn't happened long ago. Joan probably wasn't quite ready when she agreed to be a contestant on The Golden Bachelor season 1, but she took the risk anyway. Joan was one of 22 single women vying for the heart of 72-year-old Gerry Turner. Joan had to leave Gerry's season early due to a family emergency, but her journey was far from over. Although she wasn't on the show for long, she made an impression and was eventually cast as the spin-off's first female lead.

The season began with Joan greeting her The golden bachelorette thrown out THE Bachelor mansion in Los Angeles, California. After an exciting season of senior romance, Joan narrowed down her suitors to Chock Chapple, 60, and Guy Gansert, 66. Every season of the franchise, there are contestants accused of being on the show for the wrong reasons. Some of these competitors have even been accused of having been purposely planted by producers to achieve various results.

8

Jack Lencioni

The party animal

Before joining the cast of The golden bachelorette In the first season, Jack Lencioni was a 68-year-old caterer from Chicago, Illinois. From the moment he set foot The Bachelor mansion, the the gregarious Jack stood out as a very eccentric character. He took advantage of the chef's kitchen in The Bachelor mansion to prepare an elaborate dinner for Joan, which she seemed to enjoy.

THE other men competing for Joan's roses loved Jackwhich was always good for a laugh. Jack was eventually eliminated, but not before making the most of the Bachelor mansion pool. Although Jack was always fun, he was more interested in having fun and playing with the other men than connecting with Joan. It seemed like he was cast because the producers thought he would be fun, but never expected him to go far with Joan.

7

Guy Gansert

There is a doctor at home

Guy Gansert, 66, got along well with Joan from the moment they met during The golden bachelorette season 1, and now he's one of its last two men, along with Chock Chapple. Guy seemed perfect initially. Many women would consider a single, handsome doctor, a good catch. It was later revealed that he was too good to be true. People reported that Guy's ex-wife, Heidi O'Gara, filed for a temporary protection order in October 2021.

Heidi accused her ex-husband of having anger issues and making threats and even claimed that he "He made a sign as if he was going to shoot me with his pistol-shaped hand.." She had the order dismissed a month later before it is officially granted, but it is still a potential red flag. If he's in such a contentious relationship with his ex-wife, that's a situation Joan shouldn't want to put herself in.

6

Pascal Ibgui

He just didn't like Joan very much

Pascal Igbui, 69, made it to Joan's final three but later burned the relationship down. During The golden bachelorette In the season 1 hometown episode, Joan visited Pascal's hometown of Chicago, Illinois, where she spent a day in his luxurious salon and met his close-knit family. They were both excited about the possibilities as they headed out for date night. Pascal was fun and exciting, and at times it felt like he was cast on the show for entertainment purposes, as opposed to his interest in Joan.

Although it was only symbolic, it scared Pascal. This made him question whether he was ready to commit to Joan. The exercise of the meeting made him realize that he had no romantic feelings for Joan. In a clip posted to YouTube by Bachelor Nation, he admitted that he only saw her as a friend. This came as a surprise as Pascal wasn't acting like Joan's platonic friend when he kissed her a few minutes earlier. Pascal eliminated himself, but at least he didn't waste any more of Joan's time.

5

Gary Levingston

Party life

Gary Levingston, 65, is a retired financial executive who was born in Palm Desert, California. Gary is the godson of legendary musician Tina Turner and shares his godmother's love of music. Gary is a great dancer and got the chance to show off his moves during one of the first episodes of The golden bachelorette season 1.

During a group date for prom, Joan and several men, including Gary, dressed up and danced up a storm to a live Taylor Dane performance. Joan was impressed with Gary's dancing skills. He was the first to arrive on the dance floor and helped all the other men to let their hair down. Gary was also a great communicator and one of the most gregarious men competing for Joan's roses, which at times seemed like he was chosen because of his ability to entertain rather than woo Joan..

4

Jonathan Rone

The next golden bachelor?

Jonathan Rone, 61, was a shipping consultant from OaklandIowa. Joan was instantly attracted to tall, handsome Jonathan, and the two had serious chemistry. Jonathan stood out to Joan during their senior group date, when it became clear that he was a serious contender for Joan's heart. Joan eliminated Jonathan from The golden bachelorette season 1 before hometown dates.

In retrospect, it seemed like Jonathan was there to date Joan and was only interested in being groomed by Bachelor franchise producers will be the spin-off's next male lead. ABC has not announced the next The Golden Bachelorbut they have already started the process of casting female contestants. The sensitive and emotionally available Jonathan would make an excellent lead.

3

Chapple shim

Producer's Choice

During the night one of The golden bachelorette In the first season, Joan met her 24 contestants, including Chock, an insurance executive from Kansas. The second episode of the season began with Chock getting Joan's first solo datea dream adventure at Disneyland that ended with a romantic kiss under a fireworks display. Chock made it to Joan's final two, along with Guy Gansert.

Chock's mother passed away while filming the season and he had to leave to be with his family. He returned later in the episode, which led to speculation that he was receiving preferential treatment from producers who wanted Chock to win Joan's final rose. It's important to remember that the show's producers are not professional matchmakers and their job is to make the show as entertaining as possible.

2

Carlos Ling

Another potential lead

Like Joan, Charles, 66, was a widower and lost his beloved wife to a brain aneurysm six years ago. They had been happily married for 36 years and had two children together. Charles is still in deep mourning for his wifeand it's one of the most endearing things about him. The retired financial analyst from Philadelphia was encouraged to join the cast of The golden bachelorette Season 1 by his daughters, who wanted their father to find love again.

Although Joan seemed to like Charles, there was never much chemistry between them, and he seemed more like trying to look for a clue to The Golden Bachelor season 2. Charles is warm and capable of being vulnerable, which would be a great Bachelor lead. Being on the show helped Charles find more closure when it came to the tragic passing of his late wife.

1

Marcos Anderson

Kelsey Anderson's Father

Mark made his television debut during The Bachelor season 28, when her daughter, 26-year-old Kelsey Anderson, brought her boyfriend, 28-year-old Joey Graziadei, to meet her family during their on-camera date in her hometown. Kelsey ended up getting Joey's final rose, and the two are engaged now, so Marcos is practically Bachelor Nation's royalty. Fans fell in love with the attractive widower and he was announced as a contestant on The golden bachelorette.

After an awkward encounter, Joan sends Mark home before The golden bachelorette season 1 hometown dates. Of all Bachelor National contestants who have been accused of being “producer plants”, no one has been accused of this more than Mark. Online speculation has increased that Mark will be next The Golden Bachelorand that he was only in Joan's season to prepare it for himself. Only time will tell who will be next The Golden Bachelor.

Sources: People, Bachelor Nation/YouTube