Jonathan Rone—the shipping consultant from Oakland, Iowa who stole hearts on The Golden Bachelorette—is officially single. Again.
It's been a rollercoaster. One minute we’re watching him get crowned "Prom King" by Joan Vassos, and the next, he's "single as a dollar bill" on Instagram. Honestly, the whiplash is real. After Joan sent him packing just before the hometown dates in season one, fans were practically begging ABC to make him the next lead. Then he dropped the bomb: he’d already found someone.
Her name was Michelle Zimmermann.
They met on Bumble. Yeah, the guy went from national television back to the "stinging bees" of dating apps. He even joked about it, saying he got "stung by a bee" and it led him straight to Michelle. By the time the Men Tell All special aired in late 2024, Jonathan was gushing. He and Michelle were doing the whole "matching outfits" thing, hiking, and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs. For a second there, it really looked like the 62-year-old had beat the "reality TV curse" by finding love the old-fashioned (digital) way.
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The Breakup That Changed Everything
But things moved fast. Maybe too fast.
In February 2025, Jonathan took to social media with a "heavy heart." The relationship was over. His exact words? "It was fun, it was fast, and it just didn't last." It was a classic case of the post-show bubble bursting. He got vulnerable with his followers, asking those deep, middle-of-the-night questions we’ve all had: Where do I fall short? Am I not enough?
It was a tough moment for a guy who had spent weeks on camera trying to prove he was ready to open his heart after a painful divorce years prior.
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The "Other" Jonathan Confusion
We have to clear something up because Google is a mess right now. If you’re searching for "Jonathan Golden Bachelorette girlfriend," you might be bumping into news about Jonathon Johnson.
Names are similar. Vibes are different.
Jonathon Johnson was the younger guy on Jenn Tran’s season (the regular Bachelorette). For months, everyone thought he and Jenn were dating because they were everywhere on TikTok and he was in the front row at Dancing With the Stars. But by late 2025, that ship had sailed. He actually went on Bachelor in Paradise Season 10 and ended up calling himself "selfish" in a viral Instagram video. He’s also single.
So, whether you’re looking for the Iowa dad or the creative director from Jenn’s season, the answer is currently the same: nobody.
What Jonathan Rone is doing now
Since the split with Michelle, Jonathan has been focusing on himself. He’s still active in the Bachelor Nation community, but the "Golden Bachelor" rumors have cooled off a bit. He seems more interested in being a dad and navigating life in Iowa than jumping back into a televised engagement.
He hasn't deleted the memories, though. He’s been pretty vocal about the fact that nothing is "wasted in the universe of time." He’s still looking for "his person."
The drama with Michelle taught him a lot about his own patterns. He realized he tends to get blindsided by endings. That kind of self-awareness is rare in this franchise. Most people just move on to the next "influencer" event, but Jonathan seems to be actually doing the work.
Why he isn't the Golden Bachelor (yet)
The timing for the second season of The Golden Bachelor didn't quite line up with his breakup. When casting was happening, he was still "loving loving" Michelle. By the time he was single, the production wheels were already turning.
Does that mean he’s done with TV? Probably not.
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Fans are still holding out hope for a Golden Bachelor in Paradise. Seeing Jonathan on a beach in Mexico with some of the other fan favorites from Joan's season would be peak television.
The Bottom Line
If you see rumors about Jonathan Golden Bachelorette girlfriend today, take them with a grain of salt. He’s very public about his life, and if there were a new woman in the picture, his Instagram would be the first place to show it. For now, he’s enjoying the quiet life, staying fit, and waiting for the right match.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check his Instagram: Follow @jonathan_rone for the most direct updates on his dating life. He posts video updates frequently.
- Watch the Men Tell All: If you missed his season, go back to The Golden Bachelorette episode 7 to see the moment he first introduced the idea of his "new love."
- Stay tuned for BIP: Keep an eye on the Bachelor in Paradise Season 11 casting announcements in late 2026 to see if he makes the jump back to the franchise.