So, you’re dying to know: who did Joan pick? It’s the question that had every Bachelor Nation fan glued to their screens, especially after the emotional rollercoaster that was the first-ever season of The Golden Bachelorette.
Let’s get straight to it. Joan Vassos chose Chock Chapple.
It wasn't just a polite "here's a rose" moment, either. It was a full-on, Bora Bora beach proposal with a massive Neil Lane ring. But if you think it was all smooth sailing to get to that final beach, you haven't been paying attention. The road to Chock was paved with some pretty serious heartache and a few "what if" moments that still have fans debating on Reddit.
The Man Who Stole the Show: Why Chock Was the One
Honestly, Chock Chapple, a 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas, felt like the frontrunner almost from day one. You remember their first date at Disneyland? Joan mentioned later that was the exact moment she started picturing a real future with him.
But it wasn't a perfect journey. Chock actually had to leave the show for a bit. His mother passed away during filming, and for a second there, everyone thought that was it. Joan was devastated. When he came back, it basically sealed the deal. It showed her—and us—that he was willing to fight through the worst kind of grief to be with her.
The Final Two Breakdown
By the time they hit the finale, it was down to two guys:
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- Chock Chapple: The insurance pro who basically never stopped telling Joan how he felt.
- Guy Gansert: The 66-year-old ER doctor from Reno who was, quite frankly, a total gentleman.
Guy was great. Seriously. He was steady, he was kind, and he was ready to propose. But Joan had this realization in Bora Bora: she was in love with Chock, and keeping Guy around for the "family meeting" portion of the show felt wrong. She broke up with Guy in his hotel room before he even got a chance to meet her kids. It was brutal to watch, especially seeing a grown man like Guy so genuinely heartbroken. He even asked her during the After the Final Rose special if there was "something missing."
Joan’s answer? It was mostly about time. She felt she just "got further along" with Chock.
What Happened to Pascal?
We have to talk about Pascal Ibgui. If you're asking "who did Joan pick," you're probably also wondering why it wasn't the charming French salon owner. For a while, it looked like Pascal was the one to beat. He had that "je ne sais quoi," right?
But Pascal ended up being the one who walked away. He realized he just wasn't "in love" with Joan in the way she deserved. It was a rare moment of actual reality in reality TV. He didn't want to fake it for the cameras. While it left Joan feeling "unlovable" for a minute, it cleared the path for Chock to step up.
Are Joan and Chock Still Together in 2026?
Here is the part where things get interesting. Since the finale aired in late 2024, the couple has been under a microscope. As of early 2026, yes, Joan and Chock are still together.
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But they aren't married yet.
They’ve been very open about the fact that they aren't rushing to the altar. There were some nasty rumors floating around in late 2025—some even claiming Joan had died in a vacation accident (totally fake, obviously) and others suggesting a "soft-launch" breakup because she didn't mention him in a Thanksgiving post.
Joan actually cleared the air in a December 2025 interview, basically saying it’s ridiculous that people think they’ve split just because they aren't glued at the hip 24/7. They are balancing two very different lives. Joan is rooted in Maryland with her kids and grandkids, and Chock has his business in Kansas.
The New York City Dream
One of the most specific things they’ve talked about is their "NYC plan." Chock gave Joan a heart-shaped keychain during the finale, symbolizing a future apartment in New York. They spent a good chunk of December 2025 living like "total New Yorkers"—walking Central Park, seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center, and basically testing out if they could actually live together in a neutral city.
Why This Ending Actually Matters
The reason people care so much about who Joan picked isn't just about the gossip. It’s about the fact that Joan is 61 and Chock is 60. They both lost partners—Joan’s husband John passed from pancreatic cancer in 2021.
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Their relationship is a bit of a roadmap for "Chapter Two." They’ve dealt with:
- Grief: Honoring their late spouses while making room for someone new.
- Logistics: How do you merge two lives when you both have grown kids and established careers in different states?
- Independence: Joan is very big on the idea that "no one is responsible for your happiness but you."
They aren't trying to recreate their first marriages. They’re building something entirely different. They’ve even said they probably won't do a TV wedding. They want something private, with just family and friends. Honestly, after the circus of a reality show, who can blame them?
Moving Forward
If you’re looking for a takeaway from Joan’s journey, it’s basically that you have to be willing to "risk love," as Chock put it. It’s messy, you might have to break a few hearts (sorry, Guy!), and you’ll definitely face some skeptical people on the internet.
If you want to keep up with them, Joan is still very active on Instagram, where she shares the reality of their long-distance engagement. It’s not always glamorous—lots of FaceTime and travel—but they seem committed to making it work on their own terms.
Actionable Insights for Finding Your Own "Chapter Two":
- Be Honest Early: Pascal’s exit was painful, but it was better than a fake engagement. If you aren't feeling it, say it.
- Don't Rush the Logistics: You don't have to move in together or get married immediately just because society (or a TV show) expects it.
- Maintain Your Independence: Like Joan says, your happiness is your own job. A partner should add to it, not be the sole source of it.
- Acknowledge the Past: You can love a new person without "replacing" a late spouse. Joan and Chock talk about their former partners constantly, and that’s healthy.