The Golden Bachelorette lead Joan Vassos addressed the past restraining order situation involving contestant Guy Gansert during her October 23 appearance on The Viall Files podcast. Gansert, a 66-year-old emergency room doctor from Reno, remains among the final three contestants on ABC's senior dating show.
Vassos stated she experienced positive interactions with Gansert during the filming of The Golden Bachelorette while acknowledging the complex histories older contestants bring to the show. She described their interactions as "pure and lovely" throughout the filming period. During their time together, Gansert displayed emotional openness, often discussing his hopes for finding happiness again.
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The revelation of the restraining order came as Gansert advanced to hometown dates alongside fellow contestants Pascal and Chock.
The Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos makes first comments on Guy Gansert's restraining order case
On The Viall Files podcast, The Golden Bachelorette Season 1 lead Joan Vassos provided detailed insights about her experience with Gansert. Discussing about Guy’s restraining order, she stated,
“The Golden franchise is a little bit unique because we come here with a lot of past…We’ve lived a lot of life and it doesn’t completely surprise me that there are things that they’re maybe not proud of later on."
The Golden Bachelorette Season 1 lead also stated,
"I would have never had any indication that there was any kind of past that he had. I had no idea what the interactions with his ex-wife were at that time…He was so kind to me and he was so open and he was so vulnerable. He cried. He talked about, you know, finally feeling happy for the first time in so many years."
The pair connected during several key moments on the show, including a memorable cooking date. Gansert maintained steady progress through multiple rose ceremonies, consistently receiving roses that advanced him toward hometown dates. His conversations with Vassos focused on shared values and future aspirations, contributing to his continued presence in the competition.
Initial filing details
The temporary protective order application was filed in Reno, Nevada in October 2021. In her filing, O'Gara requested specific communication boundaries, asking that contact be limited to email exchanges about parenting matters.
The documents detailed concerns about text message interactions that fluctuated between reconciliation attempts and expressions of anger. O'Gara reported an incident at a gym where she encountered Gansert with his sister. She alleged that following this meeting, Gansert placed an object under her tire and made threatening gestures.
These details emerged from court documents filed during the proceedings, providing context to the situation that occurred approximately three years before Gansert's appearance on The Golden Bachelorette.
Guy's public response and background
Gansert addressed the situation directly through an Instagram statement on October 10. He acknowledged the filing occurred during a challenging period following his divorce. With a background as an emergency room physician in Reno, Gansert raised four children during his 30-year marriage.
In his statement, he described the protective order application as an "unfortunate situation" that happened while both parties experienced significant stress.
The Golden Bachelorette Season 1 star stated,
"I would like to respond to articles about a personal matter from 2021…This was an unfortunate situation that occurred during an incredibly stressful time for me and my former spouse and was ultimately resolved when she voluntary [sic] dismissed her request for a protective order. Together we crafted a resolution that was agreeable to both parties."
The father and grandfather explained that his ex-wife voluntarily dismissed the request after they reached a mutual agreement. His medical career spans decades in emergency medicine, providing context to his established professional life before joining the show.
Resolution and current status
The protective order situation reached a resolution when O'Gara filed for dismissal on November 3, 2021. Court records confirm the judge granted her request to withdraw the application.
O'Gara later released a statement to media outlets focusing on their shared family bonds, including their four children and new grandson. She emphasized their mutual decision to maintain privacy regarding the divorce proceedings.
The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with upcoming episodes set to reveal whether Gansert advances beyond hometown dates in his quest for Vassos's final rose.
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