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Joan Vassos Redefines Fantasy Suites on The Golden Bachelorette
Joan Vassos, the star of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette, is shaking up the traditional Fantasy Suites experience. With three remaining suitors—Chock Chapple, Guy Gansert, and Pascal Ibgui—Joan has made it clear that her approach will diverge significantly from the norm. At 61, she has decided that she will not engage in sexual activities with any of her contestants, which she openly discussed during an October appearance on the “Off the Vine” podcast.
“I don’t judge anybody else for doing it. What’s good for them is fine. But it didn’t feel good to me,” Joan explained.
She emphasized the importance of off-camera time with her potential partners but requested that no beds be included in the Fantasy Suite rooms. Instead, the accommodations were furnished with couches, allowing her to establish a comfortable environment without the pressure of a physical relationship.
“Sleeping in the bed with them… that all felt a little uncomfortable to me.”
She added that by avoiding the physical aspect during Fantasy Suites, she hoped to create a sense of respect and consideration for whoever she may eventually choose to be with at the end of the season.
“I like the idea that if I chose somebody at the end, that he wouldn’t have to think of me having slept with the other guys,” she remarked.
This unique approach was also influenced by her family, particularly her four children, who were understandably uneasy about their mother participating in the traditional Fantasy Suites format.
“They even think the name is disgusting. They’re like, ‘It’s just gross,’” Joan recalled.
The Maryland native’s journey to dating again was not easy, particularly following the loss of her husband, John, to pancreatic cancer in 2021. Joan’s path to healing involved therapy, which helped her navigate her feelings of guilt about moving on while still cherishing the memory of her late husband.
“You have two balloons. In this hand you have John, and in this hand, you have someone else you’re interested in. You don’t have to let go of John to be able to hold this one,”
was a poignant analogy shared by her therapist that resonated deeply with her.
Through her experience on The Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos is challenging societal norms surrounding dating, particularly for older women, and is advocating for a more emotional and respectful approach to developing relationships. Her story emphasizes the blend of honoring past love while being open to new possibilities.
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