Joan Is the Perfect Choice to Be the First-Ever Golden Bachelorette—Here’s Why We’re So Excited to Watch Her Journey

It’s nearly time for the most highly-anticipated reality show of the year, ABC’s The Golden Bachelorette, with none other than Joan Vassos as our leading lady looking for love. And it would be an understatement to say that we’re excited for this history-making season, which premieres Wednesday, September 18 at 8/7c. Here’s why we’re over-the-moon about Joan and her journey to find love.

The Golden Bachelor made history last year as Gerry Turner sought a second chance at love, eventually choosing Theresa Nist to receive his final rose. The show was refreshing, honest, heartbreaking and heartwarming. But prepare yourselves, Bachelor Nation, because we’re about to get another groundbreaking installment, with the newest addition to the franchise, The Golden Bachelorette.

From the preview, we can already tell that this season will be tugging at our heartstrings from episode one. As Vassos herself says, “When you’re 61 years old, you have very few opportunities to change your life. This time, I have to be ready.”

She continues, “This is about everybody like me. I see a future, which is not what I felt like for a very long time. I don’t feel invisible now.” Okay, someone grab the tissues.

Anyone who watched Gerry’s journey on The Golden Bachelor will know, there were a number of wonderful, standout women vying for his rose (and his heart). But perhaps none caught our eye as quickly as Joan Vassos. In Gerry’s season, it was clear that she is real, down-to-earth and genuinely looking for love.

Sadly, her journey on the show was cut short as she had to return home early to help with a family emergency. But not-so-sadly, Joan is now getting another chance to find a soulmate—and we think she’s the perfect choice to be the first-ever Golden Bachelorette.

Joan is charismatic, caring and open-hearted. We were rooting for her last time around and we’re happy to root for her this time, as she navigates dating a number of eligible bachelors in her search for love.

Fortunately, the wait is almost over. The Golden Bachelorette premieres on ABC September 18 at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. central) and will also be available to stream on Hulu.

You know we’ll be tuning in.