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The long wait is finally over. Joan Vassos’ season of The Golden Bachelorette aired its premiere episode on Sept. 18, serving as a much-needed happy moment for fans of Bachelor Nation.

Joan Vassos is excited to be the first-ever Golden Bachelorette, but not every part of the job is easy. Vassos found it especially difficult to cut men after just one meeting. Still, she eventually got around to letting several male suitors know that their journey on The Golden Bachelorette had ended as quickly as it began.

Joan Vassos sent home a videographer, rancher, and more on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’ premiere

After meeting all 24 men and having some one-on-one time with each suitor, Vassos got down to business and eliminated a handful of men. Bill Hernandez, a videographer from Oregon, was bummed to learn he didn’t receive a rose. Still, it was obvious to viewers that he wouldn’t make it through to the next round. Hernandez was seen in just a handful of scenes.

Bill Hernandez in a promo for 'The Golden Bachelorette,' Bill was cut during the premiere episode.
Bill Hernandez | Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

David Huff, a rancher from Texas, didn’t receive a rose from Vassos during the premiere episode of The Golden Bachelorette, either. However, his decision to show up on horseback did make for a memorable entrance.  

Along with Hernandez and Huff, Ken O’Brien, Pablo Gonzalez-Juana, RJ Johnson, and Thomas Haughney were left on the outside looking in. Gonzalez-Juana, a UN Agency director, and Haughney, a retired FDNY firefighter, both had interesting jobs. Still, they failed to impress with their entrances.

Thomas Haughney was elminated in episode one of 'The Golden Bachelorette'
Thomas Haughney | Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

O’Brien, a Property Management Treasurer from Massachusetts, was similarly forgettable. Johnson not making it through to the next round was a surprise, considering how much camera time he received in the season opener.

How many men are left on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’?

While Vassos struggled with her first elimination ceremony, she still has plenty of eligible bachelors to choose from. That doesn’t mean the process is going to get easier. In fact, Vassos will likely find it more difficult to send her suitors home the deeper into the competition she gets. So, just how many bachelors are left?

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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In the season premiere of The Golden Bachelorette, Vassos met 24 eligible men. While they each brought something special to the table, Vassos ultimately sent home six men on night one. That means she’ll open week two of the series with 18 men to choose from.

Vassos will eliminate eligible bachelors on the road to finding her next great love. The season is expected to last around eight weeks.