Kaitlyn Bristowe weighed in on The Golden Bachelorette star Joan Vassos’ season, sharing that she believes the leading lady has the best connection with contestant Chock Chapple.
While appearing on the Thursday, October 10, episode of the “Love To See It with Emma and Claire” podcast, the former Bachelorette star, 39, reflected on the relationships featured on the current season of The Golden Bachelorette.
“I want to see who I think she has the best connection with. I definitely saw it with Chock,” Kaitlyn said. “Clearly undeniable on TV and off TV. The chemistry there is. I just think they’re so sweet together and I watched them interact.”
Kaitlyn then admitted she wondered if the men vying for Joan’s heart are the “same” off camera as they are during filming. “Are they really putting it on? I get it. I mean, when the cameras are on, I definitely put it on,” she said, recalling her own time on the ABC franchise. “I understand that, but I just am very aware of people’s energy and I loved Gary [Levingston], like Gary, it feels more of a friendship with them, but they loved each other. I thought that was amazing. Pascal [Ibgui] I saw the most chemistry with.”
The Dancing With the Stars alum weighed in on Joan’s season just one day after Chock, 60, left the show during the Wednesday, October 9, episode after he learned that his mother had died.
“I just want you to know I’m gonna leave,” Chock said through tears while talking to his fellow contestants. “This is a fear of mine. I don’t know if I can do this.”
He later broke the news to Joan, 61, while insisting he had to go home to take care of his family. “I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know,” he told her while getting in a car to leave.
Despite leaving the competition, Chock subtly hinted that he might be back at some point because he and Joan had created a strong bond.
Joan was equally as upset and acknowledged that she had the deepest connection with Chock out of all of the men on the show. “I feel so bad for him,” she said. “And if he doesn’t return, that changes this whole journey for me.”
Chock did come back by the end of the episode, and explained during the cocktail ceremony that his mother’s death “was extremely tough.” However, he added that there “was no way [he] was not coming back” to pursue his romance with Joan.
While Joan’s love story is still playing out on the show, fans previously watched Kaitlyn fall in love and get engaged to Shawn Booth during season 11 of the franchise. The couple split in November 2018, and she moved on with Bachelor Nation star Jason Tartick in 2019. Kaitlyn and Jason, 35, got engaged in 2021. However, their romance wasn’t meant to be and they announced their split in August 2023.
Fans will get to watch Joan’s journey of finding love when The Golden Bachelorette airs on ABC Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
