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In 2023, fans fell in love with The Golden Bachelor, a dating competition for people searching for love later in life. While Gerry Turner, the first-ever Golden Bachelor, was initially beloved, the shine on Turner wore off as the season entered its final episode. Public sentiment about Turner worsened when he and his winner, Theresa Nist, announced they would be divorcing after just three months of marriage.

While Turner has been dubbed the villain of the series, some contestants have come out to defend him. Kathy Swarts suggested that the golden wedding and their marriage resulted from Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist getting caught up in the moment. Joan Vassos, the lead of the upcoming The Golden Bachelorette, doesn’t plan to do the same.

Theresa Nist shows off her engagement ring from Gerry Turner to other women in 'The Golden Wedding'
Theresa Nist with family and friends during ‘The Golden Wedding’ | Disney/Eric McCandless

Kathy Swarts thinks the ‘golden divorce’ was bound to happen

Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles have emerged as the two most outspoken contestants from The Golden Bachelor Season 1. The duo, who became fast friends while filming, have worked hard since the end of the series to establish themselves as TV personalities. They have largely succeeded and made names for themselves by speaking openly about their experiences and sharing their opinions.

Swarts and Noles were pretty tight-lipped after Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner announced their divorce after just three months of marriage. Now, they are opening up.

During an appearance on SiriusXM, Noles and Swarts discussed the divorce. While Noles wanted to place more blame on Nist than Turner, Swarts was more diplomatic. She said she believed the couple got “caught up in the moment” and decided to get married without thinking it through. She went on to say that these things happen when you’ve only known your partner for a month. Swarts seemed to see the divorce as an inevitability.

Joan Vassos doesn’t intend to get ‘caught up in the moment’ on her season

Joan Vassos is against getting “caught up in the moment” and marrying too quickly after the end of her season. The lead of The Golden Bachelorette discussed her future plans before heading to California to film her season in June. The mother of four said she was not against getting engaged on the show. Still, she has no plans to marry quickly.

Portrait of Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos holding a golden rose
THE GOLDEN BACHELORETTE – ABC’s “Golden Bachelorette” stars Joan Vassos. (Disney/Ramona Rosales)
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Gerry Turner Was the Villain of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Long Before He Announced His Divorce

During a chat with CNN in May, Vassos said she plans to get to know the winner of her season in the real world before she makes any legal decisions. That is wise, considering what happened between Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner.

Regardless of what happens in the future for Vassos, fans of the series are excited to see the Maryland native possibly fall in love on TV. Her season will premiere on Sept. 18.

She filmed season 1 of The Golden Bachelorette in late June and July. By now, she has picked her winner. Rumor has it that it is not Kelsey Anderson’s dad, Mark Anderson. He allegedly does appear on the show, though.

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