The Golden Bachelorette star Joan Vassos is confident Bachelor Nation isn’t done handing out roses.
“Bachelor Nation has done such amazing things,” Joan, 63, exclusively shared with Us Weekly at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday, March 26. “There are so many people who are in this world because of finding love on the show. I am not ready to give that up.”
Although viewers were expecting to watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul search for love on The Bachelorette, ABC decided to pull the season after video footage surfaced from a 2023 arrest.
“I think, you know, maybe we learned a little lesson,” Joan explained to Us from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. “I think that we love the casting of somebody who’s imperfect, because we all go on that show thinking we have to act our best. I love that she knew that she didn’t have to do that, that she put her past out there.”
The Bachelor Mansion Takeover star added, “I feel like there is still hope in this Bachelor world that we don’t have to cast somebody perfect.”
Joan first appeared on season 1 of The Golden Bachelor in 2023. After quitting the show in week 3 due to a family emergency, she met Chock Chapple on The Golden Bachelorette and ultimately accepted his proposal in 2024.
In addition to finding a romantic partner, Joan discovered forever friends, like her costar, Kathy Swarts.
Kathy Swarts and Joan Vassos Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
“There have been love, families, marriages, children. That show is about finding love, and it will come back bigger and better than ever,” Kathy, 72, proclaimed to Us. “I think [Taylor’s] story was meant to be a redemptive story. It was still about love. It was still about finding love. And the truth is not out yet. We don’t know the truth. We’re watching the headlines just like everyone else. We are praying that it all works out for the best. We’re praying for the kids that the best resolution happens.”
Although ABC has yet to announce any future plans for The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, Kathy joked that she is single and ready to find her man.
As for Joan, she’s heard the online chatter about The Traitors star Maura Higgins possibly stepping into the role.
“I love that I’ve seen the chatter that Maura Higgins is like, kind of, I feel like she’s given some statements that she would do it,” Joan said. “I think it’s so funny that we’re looking at famous people now. It’s so different from what it’s ever been in the past. But I think we’re kind of embracing that concept. I mean, Taylor started it, but I feel like we’re kind of embracing that concept now.”
Kathy added, “And Robert Irwin for The Bachelor! There’s been a little chatter about that.”
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