Susan Lucci Claims She Was Called About Leading The Golden Bachelorette: 'It Wasn't for Me' (Exclusive)

Susan Lucci is dipping her toes Bachelorbut she’s not quite ready to become the franchise’s next leading lady.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, All My Children alum, 77, says that recently Bachelor cooling fan. And while ABC found its own The Golden Bachelor in Season 1 contestant Joan Vassos, Lucci reveals that she had a hat in the ring before the decision became final.

“I believe they contacted my publicist and it wasn’t for me,” explains Lucci. “I watched The Golden Bachelor. I really enjoyed watching The Golden Bachelor. This is a new addiction for me.”

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Susan Lucci.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Although she spent years watching her mother love the franchise, the soap star wasn’t interested until “a few seasons ago” after her assistant inspired her to give Bachelor Chance.

“My assistant told me she was going home to watch Bachelor with her daughters,” she recalled. “She said, ‘Well, it’s really good.’ I watched it. I watched it for the first time that night a couple of seasons ago. I got engaged right away. I cared. I wanted to know more about these people.”

Although the actress called the show “my new guilty pleasure,” Lucci said, “I didn’t move on [it] when they called my publicist to see if I’d be interested.”

“It wasn’t for me, but I like to watch,” she added. “I’m a fan. I like to watch.”

ABC and Warner Bros. they do not comment on news about the actors. However, a source tells PEOPLE that she was not offered the role.

The Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner says Joan Vassos will be ‘phenomenal’ after being appointed first The Golden Bachelor

Joan Vassos as ‘The Golden Bachelor’.

Disney/Ramona Rosales

ABC announced on May 14 at the 2024 Disney Upfronts at the Javits Center in New York that Vassos, 61, will take the lead as the first Golden Bachelor this fall.

During the performance at Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour podcast, Vassos shared the relatable reason she accepted the offer to be The Golden Bachelor.

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“I really want love,” she explained. “I want to have someone in my life. I feel that life is better when you share it with someone. I sincerely believe in all that.”

“As far as my heart being completely open, I think it’s nine-tenths of the time,” she continued. “So I think I just need to spend a little more time in that kind of environment Bachelor Environment. I’m not… like I really want to find love. I just don’t want to go to work go to a dating website.”

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Source: HIS Education