Debut season The Golden Bachelor was full of surprises, but nothing is more shocking than a contestant skipping her daughter’s wedding to be on the show.
In this week’s episode, Sandra, a 75-year-old retired executive assistant, told leading man and former restaurateur Gerry Turner, 72, that it was “something my daughter and I talked about early on”.
“She said, ‘Mom, I have my guy. I want you to go get your own,’ the competitor recalled.
“I feel very flattered, but it’s a big event,” Turner replied before Sandra’s two daughters FaceTimed.
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Gerry Turner and Sandra in “The Golden Bachelor”.
ABC/John Fleenor
“I think you’re the best,” Sandra told the father of two.
After struggling to set up the call, she joked that they were “too old for this.” But they managed to congratulate the newlyweds.
“That was so nice of him,” Sandra later said of Turner. “He’s always full of sweet surprises and is so thoughtful. This man is something different.”
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Gerry Turner and Sandra on “The Golden Bachelor”.
John Fleenor/ABC
However, a flurry of reactions – both critical and supportive – erupted on social networks. Some argued that Sandra’s decision was inappropriate, while others defended the contestant who became a fan favorite.
“Excuse me Sandra said she was here on this stupid television program instead of her daughter’s wedding???” wrote a user at x (formerly known as Twitter).
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Rushing to her defense, another spectator wrote“If anyone tries to cuss Sandra bc of this, LEAVE HER ALONE.”
“Obviously there’s a generation gap, but I just don’t understand how Gerry sees Sandra missing her kid’s wedding as a green flag,” another fan wrote.
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Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
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During the interview with Good morning America in September, Turner spoke openly about being the first ever The Golden Bachelor star.
It’s never too late to fall in love again, he said then. “Don’t give up, there are always opportunities.”
The Golden Bachelor airs Thursdays at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.
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Source: HIS Education