Let's be real for a second. When you watch a show like The Golden Bachelorette, you kind of expect the "happily ever after" to look like a sprint. We’ve seen it before—the rushed TV wedding, the frantic move across the country, and then, unfortunately, the messy divorce headlines three months later. Remember Gerry and Theresa? Yeah, everyone does. But the joan and chock update for 2026 tells a much slower, much more interesting story.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple are still together, but they aren't playing by the typical Bachelor Nation rulebook.
The NYC Move: What Actually Happened?
Late in 2025, the rumor mill was working overtime. People were convinced they’d split because Joan posted a Thanksgiving "gratitude" video that didn't specifically name-drop Chock. The internet basically lost its mind. Some fans even thought Joan had died in a freak vacation accident—a rumor she had to personally shut down on the Almost Famous podcast.
"I'm alive. And I'm still with Chock," she told Ashley Iaconetti. Simple as that.
📖 Related: Is The Weeknd a Christian? The Truth Behind Abel’s Faith and Lyrics
The big plan was always New York City. During their finale in 2024, Chock asked if she’d move to the Big Apple with him. She said yes. But it took over a year to actually make it happen. They finally moved into a Manhattan apartment together in December 2025 to "test drive" the city life. They spent the holidays there, doing the whole Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center tourist thing, just to see if a Maryland grandmother and a Kansas businessman could actually survive in a concrete jungle.
Why There’s No Wedding Date Yet
If you’re looking for a 2026 wedding date, you’re going to be disappointed. Joan has been very vocal about why the brakes are on. Life is just... busy.
She has one son who got married last summer and another getting married this summer. Plus, there are grandkids in the mix. "I couldn't plan a wedding right now if my life depended on it," Joan told Us Weekly recently. Chock seems totally fine with the pace, too. He’s hinted that they might look at the end of 2026, but there is zero pressure.
👉 See also: Shannon Tweed Net Worth: Why She is Much More Than a Rockstar Wife
Here is the current reality of their living situation:
- Joan's Base: Rockville, Maryland.
- Chock's Base: Wichita, Kansas.
- The Compromise: Their shared spot in New York City.
They are essentially living a "bicoastal" (well, bi-regional) life. It’s unconventional for a newly engaged couple, but at 60-plus, they’ve both realized that uprooting your entire existence for a TV romance isn't always the smartest move. They saw the "Golden Divorce" of the previous season and decided to do the exact opposite.
Addressing the "Influencer" Criticism
You've probably seen the comments on Reddit. Some people claim they’re just staying together for the "clout" or the influencer deals. Joan has nearly 200,000 followers now, and Chock is close to 100,000. They do the Disney trips. They do the red carpets.
✨ Don't miss: Kellyanne Conway Age: Why Her 59th Year Matters More Than Ever
But if you look at their actual interactions, it feels less like a brand and more like a real, complicated relationship between two people who already have full lives. Chock still runs his business in Kansas. Joan is still deeply embedded in her family in Maryland. They are choosing each other every month, which, in the world of reality TV, is actually kind of a win.
The Reality of a 2026 Wedding
Will they ever actually get married? Chock insists it will happen when the "time is right." Interestingly, Joan confirmed they won't be having a televised ABC wedding. They weren't offered one, and frankly, they don't seem to want it. They want a private family ceremony.
What most people get wrong about the joan and chock update is thinking that "no wedding date" equals "trouble in paradise." In reality, it probably means the relationship is more stable than the ones that rush to the altar. They are navigating the "sandwich generation" issues—aging parents, adult children, and career obligations—while trying to keep a spark alive across state lines.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with their actual status without the tabloid noise, follow Joan's Instagram for the "real" updates—she’s been very transparent about the fact that she’ll be the first to let fans know if things ever go south. For now, expect more NYC content and perhaps some travel vlogs as they continue their "courtship-to-friendship-to-marriage" pipeline at their own speed.