The Golden Bachelorette: Who is Joan's rumored final pick?

Well-known insider Steve Carbone, known widely as Reality Steve, has reported that Chock Chapple won Joan Vassos's final rose in The Golden Bachelorette Finale, to be aired on November 13, 2024. The show marks ABC's first-ever Golden Bachelorette season following the success of The Golden Bachelor. Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Maryland, reportedly selected Chapple from 24 contestants after filming concluded in early August 2024.

Guy Gansert, a 66-year-old ER doctor from Reno, reached the final two, while Pascal Ibgui exited during the final three. Reality Steve amended his The Golden Bachelorette winner prediction in September 2024, initially reporting Gansert as the victor, before changing it to Chapple recently. The finale was filmed after hometown dates and fantasy suite meetings with the three finalists, as well as multiple self-eliminations throughout the season.

The Golden Bachelorette: Chock Chapple named as Joan's reported final choice

Reality Steve's reporting tracks significant changes in the season's conclusion. As per predictions, Pascal Ibgui, the 69-year-old salon owner from Chicago, was to leave the show during the final three after recognizing his feelings for Joan hadn't reached the depth required. This prediction proved correct as he self-eliminated in Episode 8 which aired on November 6, 2024.

This self-elimination shifted the dynamic, leaving Chapple, a 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, and Guy Gansert, a 66-year-old ER doctor from Reno, as the final two contestants.

While Chapple received the last rose, reports remain unclear about an engagement. Joan stated in multiple interviews that her goal centered on establishing a strong relationship rather than securing a proposal.

Fantasy Suite week

The overnight dates brought significant revelations about Joan's approach to finding love. During her September 20 appearance on The View, Joan shared specific requests she made to production regarding Fantasy Suite arrangements. She asked for bed removals to maintain her values and comfort level. The three men, Chapple, Gansert, and Ibgui, supported her decision.

Joan Vassos used this time for extensive conversations, focusing on building deeper emotional bonds. The contestants respected her boundaries throughout this crucial week of filming.

Early season developments

Chock Chapple established an early connection with Joan during The Golden Bachelorette's first one-on-one date at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Photos captured by onlookers showed the pair talking near Sleeping Beauty's castle and viewing the park from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride balcony. The date marked the beginning of their relationship.

The hometown dates phase brought four men to the forefront. Jordan Heller, a 61-year-old sales manager from Chicago, visited the Chicago Riverwalk with Joan. Pascal Ibgui welcomed Joan to Hometown Coffee & Juice in Glencoe, Illinois.

Guy Gansert introduced Joan to his life in Reno, Nevada, while Chock Chapple shared his Kansas roots. Following these visits, Jordan Heller faced elimination at the subsequent rose ceremony.

Production developments impacted The Golden Bachelorette's trajectory. Mark Anderson, father of The Bachelor Season 28 winner Kelsey Anderson, departed before hometown dates. Additionally, Gil Ramirez, a 60-year-old educator from Mission Viejo, received minimal screen time after background check concerns emerged during filming.

More about Chock Chapple

Chock Chapple, the 60-year-old insurance executive maintains an amicable relationship with his first wife, Heather Chapple, following their 12-year marriage. They share two children, Tyler and Taylor, who appeared during his hometown date segment.

Chapple's path to The Golden Bachelorette included personal loss. His fiancée, Katherine Elizabeth White Goree, passed away in 2022 after battling cancer. Their engagement lasted nine years before her death. This experience created a connection point with Joan, who lost her husband John Vassos to pancreatic cancer in 2021 after 32 years of marriage.

Beyond his professional life in Wichita, Kansas, Chapple maintains active involvement with his children and enjoys time with his black Labrador, Super Tubbs. His background includes outdoor activities and support for his local sports teams. The successful business owner demonstrated his family values throughout the season while building his relationship with Joan.