Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos Declares She 'Can't Keep Going on Like This' — and Receives a Visit from an Ex

Life in Bachelor Mansion started nibbling on some of the men The Golden Bachelor.

Gary began the October 2nd episode complaining about not getting enough sleep, so later he and Charles L. went to get melatonin and earplugs for the boys.

Despite not doing any cooking or cleaning in the house, Pascal got Joan Vassos his first one-on-one date of the week.

“He’s handsome,” Joan, 61, said in an on-camera interview about why she chose the 69-year-old salon owner to date. “I think he’s very confident. He has some courage, he is funny. But I think we need to get to know each other.”

Pascal and the golden bachelor Joan Vassos.

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Joan took Pascal for a ride in a sports car to board a private jet to Las Vegas. “We will live like that high roller lifestyle,” said the mother of four in front of the cameras.

The couple chose outfits to wear for their date and were privately serenaded by Wayne Newton.

During the evening part of their meeting, Pascal told Joan about growing up in France.

“I had a very difficult childhood where money was always a problem,” he said. “We lived in an apartment where there were six of us in a room, two in each bed. We didn’t have a bathroom, we didn’t have a shower. I was very upset because my mom or dad never came up to me and complimented me or sat here and hugged me and said ‘I love you’.”

Joan Vassos kisses 1 fan favorite — and sends home another during the first week The Golden Bachelor Dates

Pascal said he took advantage of it when he had the opportunity to move to the United States.

“You stopped the cycle your parents started,” Joan told him.

At the end of the date, Joan handed Pascal a rose, which he accepted with an “oui oui”. They shared a kiss on the High Roller Wheel, with Pascal joking, “It’s a French kiss.”

“I see a future with Pascal and I can say that life would be wonderful with this man,” Joan said in an on-camera interview.

GROUP DATE

Chock, Gil, Dan, Charles L., Charles K., Gregg, Gary, Guy, Kim, Jordan, Mark and Keith went on this week’s group date hosted by former NFL players Eric Dickerson and Andre Reed. The former football pros informed the men that they would be competing in a football game sponsored by Quaker Oats and that the winning team would get extra time with Joan.

The game went three innings, and the blue team eventually won thanks to Charles L., who, despite never having played kickball before, brought home the run in the end.

“Charles never played baseball. They took care of me,” said retired financial analyst (66) Joan of Eric (64) and Andre (60).

The Golden Bachelor Joan Vassos with Eric Dickerson (left) and Andrea Reed.

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

As a result, the red team returned to the villa with bruised egos – and bodies. “It will be an evening of ice packs and licking wounds,” said Mark (57) in an on-camera interview.

At the after party, Joan received a call from her 92-year-old mother informing her of a respiratory illness she had. “I felt guilty for not being there to help,” Joan said.

Joan Vassos in the October 2nd episode of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ season 1.

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

When Joan returned to the group, she spoke to 65-year-old Gary, who offered to pray for her mom.

“I love having you around because you’re always so positive and encouraging,” Joan told the retired CFO.

Gil, 60, spoke to Joan about adopting his daughter when she was 6 months old, a story that earned him a rose. “I feel vindicated,” said Gil – whose ex-girlfriend accused him of stalking her and was granted a temporary restraining order.

Suitor Gil from ‘The Golden Bachelor’.

Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

SECOND ONE ON ONE DATE

Joan chose Jonathan for the second one-on-one date of the week, but he was reluctant to go because he was worried he wouldn’t get the rose and be sent home. But when the 61-year-old shipping consultant got into riding with Joan, he felt lighter.

As he sipped champagne afterwards, Jonathan recalled how his ex-wife “suddenly” asked him for a divorce.

“I’ve always felt like I’m not enough and I think I’ve thought about that,” Jonathan told Joan through tears.

Contestant of the first season of “The Golden Bachelor” Jonathan.

Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

Joan replied, “I think you’re enough, and I think you probably already know that, but you’ve been so incredibly open and vulnerable — more than I can ask of anyone — and I’ve learned so much about you. ”

The headmaster of the private school offered Jonathan a rose, and as they rode away, a hawk circled the couple. The hawk reminded Joan of her late husband, John, because the hawk flew past her window right after he died, she explained.

“I suddenly became very emotional,” Joan said in an on-camera interview. “I’m also thinking about John, my mom who is sick at home. And I realize that these are big, big, big feelings and I suppress them. And now they are really booming. I mean, I can’t go on like this.”

COCKTAIL PARTY AND ROSE CEREMONY

Joan wanted to be honest with men about how she felt. “I realized that I wasn’t very open with you and that I wasn’t the real me,” she told the group at the start of the cocktail party. “And what do you deserve to know about me because this is a two-way street, obviously. So now, as today, I am committed to being the vulnerable person I need to be for all of you.”

The reality star opened up about missing her family and not being fully open to love after her husband’s death in January 2021.

“I don’t know if I ever will be because John was such a big part of my life,” she said. “And I want to say that one day I’ll be 100%, but maybe I’ll only ever be 90% or 80% or whatever, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want love in my life, just maybe it wouldn’t… in my heart could always be a part of John.”

The men tried to comfort her, and Chock, 60, spoke to Joan about his problems caring for his mother. “If you want to talk about anything, I’m here,” the insurance director told Joan.

Gary shared with her a prayer he had written for Joan’s mom, and Charles L., 66, gave her a photo of his wife who died nearly six years ago.

“I want to thank you very much for what you said,” said Charles L., adding that he thinks Joan’s story resonated with him.

On camera, Charles L. admitted, “I have to move on.”

Host Jesse Palmer informed Joan that someone from her past had visited the mansion, and when she stepped outside, Joan saw golden bachelor Gerry Turner waiting for her.

“I’m so excited to see you,” Joan said as she ran to Gerry, 73.

Gerry wanted to talk to Joan about how to deal with her husband’s death as she searched for love again. “I know it was a lot earlier for you — it’s going to be a lot harder for you than it was for me, and it was hard for me,” said the Indiana resident, whose wife, Toni, died in 2017.

The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner.

Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images

Joan clarified that she did not want to find a “replacement” for John. “I already have a life, so it’s a completely different journey and a different goal and a different person I’m looking for,” she explained.

“You have to let it go,” Gerry encouraged Joan. “You have to let your guard down.”

He also wanted Joan to think about something else: “Have you considered the possibility that you’re not here?”

Joan was actually thinking about it. “I thought about it before I got here a lot more than I do now,” she said. “I have several strong connections.”

Joan Vassos ‘felt like’ she was ‘cheating’ on her late husband by falling in love with The Golden Bachelor suitor (exclusive)

After that, Gerry felt, “You’re in the right place,” Joan said. “You know I’m rooting for you.”

When Joan returned to the group, her suitors felt they needed to lift the spirits. Kim, 69, and Guy sang her a song Kim had written and Jordan shared a black and white biscuit with her.

“I don’t deserve them,” Joan said of her group of men. “They are much better than me.”

At the rose ceremony, Joan presented roses to Guy, Dan, Gary, Jordan, Chock, Charles L., Keith and Mark. Because of this, Gregg, Charles K. and Kim had to pack their bags and head home.

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