Golden Bachelorette Week 2 recap: Did retired CEO from Charlotte area get a rose?
Millions of people tuned in last week for the premiere of ABC’s latest addition to “The Bachelor” franchise, “The Golden Bachelorette,” which features a contestant from North Carolina.
The dating show’s leading lady, Joan Vassos, is a 61-year-old school administrator and grandmother from Maryland. Joan, a widow, is looking for love on national TV for a second time after leaving “The Golden Bachelor” to care for her daughter at home.
Vassos started with 24 suitors in the first week, including Michael Stevens of Denver, North Carolina, a former banking CEO.
After a shaky introduction and brief interaction with Joan, where he revealed his love of gardening, Michael narrowly avoided elimination last week and received the second-to-last rose from Joan.
Did he make more of a connection with Joan in Week 2? Read on to find out.
Spoiler alert: Here’s what happened during the second episode and who got eliminated.
Exploring the house
At the start of the episode, the guys had a chance to explore the house — where they realized they would have to bunk together.
“Sharing a living space at my age with a bunch of guys is a little daunting,” Michael told producers.
After getting acquainted with their living quarters, host Jesse Palmer revealed the contestants’ itinerary for the day: two group dates and a handful of one-on-one dates — with some high stakes.
“If you do not get a rose during the one-on-one dates, you will be going home immediately,” Palmer said.
A talent showcase
Eight contestants were selected for the first group date (a “senior prom”) and Chock went on a solo date with Joan to Disneyland. (Chock left with a rose while Jonathan was crowned Prom King during the group date and also got a rose.)
The remaining men took part in a second group date, and it came with a challenge: a talent show.
“I’m feeling excited, I cant wait to spend a group date with Joan,” Michael told producers before the date.
While others chose to juggle, sing or imitate other contestants using sock puppets, Michael chose to read a poem.
“So we come to the moment I fear the most, for I have no talent which I can boast,” he read. “I can’t juggle, nor can I dance, but one thing I can offer is sweet romance.”
In the end, Michael came up short after Dan — who did a ribbon dancing routine — was crowned the winner of the talent show and was awarded a one-on-one dinner with Joan. He, too, got a rose.
“Everyone who competed today feels happy for Dan,” Michael told producers after the talent show. “He’s a great guy, and he made himself vulnerable and that’s tough to do.”
Did Michael get a rose from Joan?
It was starting to appear by the end of the episode that Michael might not make it another week, given the little screen time he had received in this week’s episode. And before the rose ceremony, he acknowledged that he’s introverted, so it may have been harder for him to connect with Joan.
During the rose ceremony, he looked on as other men received roses.
“This has been really transformative for me to be honest with you,” Michael told producers. “And if it ended abruptly, I’d be really disappointed.”
When it came down to final rose, Michael, along with four others waited to hear their names called.
Unfortunately for Michael, it was Guy who received the final rose.
Michael said his final goodbye to Joan with a hug and left the house.
“I’m just disappointed. I’m not going to lie,” he told producers after the ceremony. “I would have loved to have gotten to know Joan more. I thought she was terrific.
“But this was a wonderful experience. In the short time I was here, I am walking away with more confidence that I had to start with. I learned from it, and I hold out hope that I will still have the opportunity to meet that special someone… I think I have a lot to offer the right woman, And I can’t wait to meet her.”
Who got eliminated during the rose ceremony?
Of the 18 remaining men, here’s who did not receive a rose and was sent home:
Michael
Bob
Christopher
Jack
How to watch “The Golden Bachelorette”
You can watch “The Golden Bachelorette” every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ABC and on Hulu the day following their premieres.
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 10:28 PM.
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