I Think A Larger Issue Is At Play Between The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos & Chock Chapple’s Long-Term Success (Besides Joan’s Wichita Relocation Backlash)

I believe a larger issue is at play between The Golden Bachelorette couple Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple’s long-term success besides their relocation issues. Joan originally appeared in The Golden Bachelor season 1, where she was one of 22 women vying for lead, Gerry Turner’s heart. Joan got a coveted one-on-one date with Gerry that solidified her as a frontrunner. However, she left the next day due to a family emergency, but she left such an impact on producers and viewers that she was chosen as The Golden Bachelorette season 1 lead. Joan had 24 suitors in her season.

Chock was an early favorite of Joan’s, and they kept their romantic momentum throughout the competition, with Joan ultimately giving Chock her final rose. Since getting engaged during the finale, Joan and Chock have been trying to build their life together, although I’ve seen them encounter many obstacles. Currently, I know they are mapping out where they want to spend their time as a couple, while navigating other factors such as family involvement, public scrutiny, their career trajectories, and holding their place in Bachelor Nation, but I see one issue standing out among the rest.

Joan & Chock’s Relationship Has Been Long-Distance Chaos

Their Plans Are Up In The Air

Joan, 62, is from Rockville, Maryland, where she is the matriarch of her close-knit family. Chock, 61, has his roots in Wichita, Kansas, where his children and family reside. Since their engagement, I’ve watched the couple try to figure out how to navigate their long-distance relationship, but I don’t think it’s going well. Originally, they had the intention of traveling between Maryland and Kansas to see each other, but also decided on buying a place in New York City, where they would spend quality couple time. However, I’ve noticed the pair have been quiet about that NYC settlement ambition recently.

What I’ve seen actually happen, is Joan spending more time in Kansas than Chock has in Maryland, which has led to suspicion that Chock wants Joan there permanently. Joan has gone back to Maryland several times recently without Chock, which makes me think that Joan is the one making the most sacrifices. She stated on The Golden Bachelorette that she wanted a partner that fit into her lifestyle, and I don’t see that happening.

This last week, Joan has been in Kansas once again. This time, she’s taking care of Chock as he recovers from eye surgery. I don’t believe that the Golden couple intended on having this much chaos when it comes to where they have their time together and how much separation from her family Joan was going to have, but it is cause for concern. Aside from traveling between Maryland, Kansas, and NYC, Joan and Chock go on vacations together, like to Mexico and Northern California, and they attend Bachelor Nation events together as well.

I’ve witnessed a lot of Golden Bachelorette fans voice their discontent with Joan and Chock’s arrangement for maintaining their romantic connection. There has been backlash over Joan being in Kansas with Chock most of the time, and I feel her time spent there could mean that’s where they’ll end up. Kansas is more centrally located for everything the pair does, but I know it’s not what Joan had initially envisioned, which is why there is pushback from fans.

Joan & Chock Are Having Trouble Blending Their Families

“A Little Hard Right Now”

Joan and Chock are also plagued by the difficulty blending their families. The Golden match were only able to step out as a couple in mid-November 2024 due to NDAs and contractual roadblocks, but it was just in time for the holidays. Chock spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with Joan’s family in Maryland, but I’ve noticed since then, Joan has been in Kansas with Chock’s friends and family, and I don’t think it’s a good sign Chock hasn’t been back to visit Joan’s family. During the holidays, Joan made what I felt was a concerning remark about family blend.

“A little hard right now.”

While Joan didn’t expand on what she meant, I’m certain it has to do with the lack of smooth sailing they’ve encountered trying to incorporate both their families into their relationship. When Chock met Joan’s kids in Tahiti, they expressed concern over Chock’s intentions, and I don’t think they are convinced their mom’s engagement is working all that well. In the above Instagram post from Joan and Chock, they discussed the hurdles they’ve been encountering trying to plan a dual family trip to Disneyland.

They have to take into consideration schedules and logistics for the trip, and both of them looked overwhelmed by the upcoming feat. The inability to lead an easy life as a couple with regard to their family blending is a huge red flag for me. Since family is so important to both of them and they, but mostly Joan, are making sacrifices surrounding that, I can understand the public backlash over fans’ unsettled views on the pair’s long-term viability.

Joan & Chock Too Concerned About Their Influencer Careers

They Are Too Involved With The Wrong Thing

While the long-distance and family blending issues, I believe, are big points of contention that threaten Joan and Chock’s longevity as a couple, another issue stands out as potentially more damaging to me. Joan and Chock have been spending a considerable amount of time launching their influencer careers.

It seems like every other post from either of them is a promotion of some kind, with Joan having more broad influencing success and Chock’s being tied to Kansas.

I feel they are spending too much time trying to capitalize on their Golden Bachelorette fame and not enough time on figuring out the chaotic nature of their romance. I recognize that the reality TV trend for cast members is to have social media engagement, but I think they are going overboard. They should be focusing on coming up with a better solution to the distance and family issues at the center of their union and less focused on their career ambitions and relishing the spotlight. I fear Joan and Chock will become too plagued by the logistical problems and ultimately break up.

Source: Joan Vassos/Instagram, Joan Vassos/Instagram