The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan and Chock Address Pascal’s Frustrations, Life in New York City, and More

It was all over for The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan and Chock on June 24, 2024. And by “over,” I mean every other guy on the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette should have gone home and just let Joan and Chock start their journey because it was obvious these two were endgame. (Although for the love of Charles L., Gary, Mark, Jonathan, and Pascal, thank goodness they didn’t.)

In case you’re wondering, June 24, 2024 was when Chock and Joan traveled to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim for their first one-on-one date. I was there as well, and saw firsthand that even though these two were just getting to know each other, there was something deeply in sync about them.

“I can’t imagine a date going much better than this, so I feel really good about it,” Joan said to me at the time. “We already talked about [coming back to Disneyland]. He’s like, ‘We’ve got to bring the grandchildren.’”

Yes, the writing was on the wall, folks. And nearly five months later, Joan Vassos, 61, and Chock Chapple, 60, are engaged and ready to start their new life together in Kansas, Maryland, and New York City.

“Crazy, huh?” Joan says to me less than 24 hours after she and Chock made their public debut as a couple on the live taping of The Golden Bachelorette’s After the Final Rose. “We’ve come a long way.”

A long way, indeed. But the school administrator from Maryland and the insurance executive from Kansas are just getting started. Here, in a wide-ranging sit-down interview to talk about Pascal’s criticism of Chock, their first Thanksgiving together, and more, the newly engaged couple answers all your burning questions and then some.

“We haven’t planned [the wedding] yet, but that’s coming,” Joan tells Glamour.

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Glamour: Chock, it was so obvious—at least to me and my mother—that you were always the frontrunner. When you were watching it back, were you able to see that as well?

Chock Chapple: I had to assume it because you never really know what goes on behind scenes, and I really couldn’t have the opportunity to talk to Joan about the other guys. I felt very confident. When we got to Bora Bora and had a kissing intimate moment at the bungalow, I knew right there.

I knew there was strong connections from Disneyland to the Chippendale’s date to even the bowling date. That feeling was there the whole time, but I didn’t know really up until that last day, because there was other guys that were involved in there, good men, and they all bring great things to the table. So, you just had to let it play out.

Joan, when Chock was telling you that he loved you and wanted to marry you on your last date in Tahiti, I know you didn’t want to come right out and say you loved him too, but did you think about squeezing his hand a little harder or giving him some sort of signal?

Joan: Yeah, I know. I felt really bad knowing that I was in love with him, and I wanted to say it, but I really wanted to be true to what I had thought the best way to have this unravel and to make it a more special moment than right then. I would say things to him like, “We’re good. We’re real good. We’re okay.” And he talked about that kiss. He said, “You don’t kiss somebody like that unless they’re ‘The One.’ If you have two people left, you’re only kissing one like that, hopefully.”

I feel like I gave him enough clues because I didn’t want to cause him angst, but I also wanted to do it the way I wanted to do it. It was my journey. I wanted to stand on that beach and say that to him. And I thought that was maybe a more romantic way to do it than another way. So I felt like I wanted to be true to that, but I also didn’t want him to be nervous. I think now that it’s all played out, he did know it. I didn’t do the hand squeeze, but I would say things like, “We’re right. We’re all right.” We kissed in a way that I felt like the message was clear, I hope.

That completely makes sense. Joan, I loved the moment when Chock gave you the heart keychain to symbolize moving to New York City together, but when did that conversation originally happen? Was it during the overnight date?

Joan: It was actually before. We had a quick conversation during hometowns when I said Wichita was a bigger city than what I expected. And he’s like, “Oh, I always wanted to live in a really big city.” And I said, “Me too.” He said, “Where?” I said, “New York.” He’s like, “Oh my gosh, it’s where I’ve always wanted to live.” That was the extent of the conversation, and he remembered it, which I loved.

So that’s where all that came from. It’s weird that at the age of 61 we are going to go on this big adventure. We’re going to move, or at least have a place in another city. It’s something that we both had dreamed of when we were younger. He remembered it, and it’s a really different and fun thing that we finally get to do together. We’re obviously going to spend time in Kansas and in Maryland, but when it’s just us, we get to have this cool adventure going on in the background.

I love this plan, and forgive me for thinking practically, but my first thought was, “At what point during this process did the two of them sit down and talk about finances?” I love New York City, but this is not a cheap place to have an extra home. So when do you sit down and talk about finances? Did that happen during the show or afterward?

Chock: It happened afterwards. We’ve had some very detailed conversations on this. We’ve got it all planned out.

Joan: Yeah, yeah. We didn’t have it during the show, which is…you’d think that’s one of the main things people talk about in fantasy suites, and we actually didn’t. But I think you know each other’s lifestyles a little bit. So that’s maybe indicative of having the same idea about the way you want to live. I think we knew a little bit.

We weirdly didn’t have that conversation until after we were in one of the happy couple houses [over a weekend]. We’ve had conversations being together since taping ended.

Was there any talk about perhaps not getting engaged in Tahiti, but maybe waiting until After the Final Rose so you could spend more time together and know each other better?

Chock: Not really. If I may, it was me wanting to get engaged to Joan. I asked her. I never directly asked her, but I wanted to respect her, and I didn’t want to put her on the spot. I said, “Are you good?” That was just a code to me. She said, “Absolutely.” So I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I can’t speak for Joan, but obviously, that’s what she wanted to do as well. It just all fell into place.

Joan: For me, it was a little bit unexpected going into the season. I didn’t know if I’d get to that place where I would want an engagement. So all along I said, “I really want to leave here with my person and just to explore our relationship outside of the show.”

But it unraveled in a different way. We had a strong connection really, really early. I got to know him pretty well throughout the show, and there’s also an element of a leap of faith, but it didn’t seem like it was such a high leap for me at that point. We talked about it at that last meeting that we had, and he said, “What is your expectation?” We talked about Fantasy Suites. “Do you want to get married? Do you not want to get married? What do you want to do?” I said, “You know what? Every week I have given you a rose, and I have chosen you.” I said, “This time you get to make the choice.” So, I didn’t know what was going to happen.

Sealed with a kiss.

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

What else did you talk about in the fantasy suite once the cameras were away?

Joan: Mostly we talked about family and the future. It was just fun to not have cameras there. I remember we raided the snack bar. We were hungry. I think we drank an entire bottle of wine. [Laughs]

But at that point, I already knew him. I already knew the important things. I knew what his values were. I knew how important his family and friends were. I actually saw that in action at Hometowns when we did the memorial service for his mom. I don’t think there’s anything that I went in there needing to know. How about you, Chock? Anything you needed to know?

Chock: It was just quality time to spend with you, the other person. I really liked it that we could talk off camera. That’s what was important. That’s a great thing about the show to get at least one evening to do that.

Chock, you brought up the bowling date earlier. After the Men Tell All taping, I talked to Pascal, who has since apologized for some of the things he said, but at the time, he thought the conversations that happened during the group bowling date were a little inappropriate, like when you asked Joan, “What side of the bed do you sleep on?” Have you talked to Pascal since the show ended? And do you have any regrets about that date in terms of spending that much time with Joan with all the other guys around? Have you heard some of the criticism?

Chock: I don’t pay attention to the criticism. It just doesn’t do you any good. Looking back at it, Joan and I were together a little larger amount of the time. When Guy came up to me and said, “Hey, can I have some time with Joan?” I said, “Absolutely.” I turned around and actually left the bowling area. I will tell you too that people, for whatever reason, say things, and I’m not going to speak for Pascal, but you say things and I think you want to take them back. I have no ill feelings towards Pascal. I wish him the best. He was a brother to us on the show.

I think it really goes back to Jonathan, who said, “You could see that they were a couple.” I think that bothered people that we were already at that level, and you could see it. That’s the big issue. I thought I was very fair to the other guys, especially when Guy came up and said, “Hey, can we have some time?”

I never pulled Joan away from anyone. I never did. We were just naturally together. As for the, “What side of the bed do you sleep on?,” I still like the question, and it wasn’t sexually related. It was like, “Let’s talk about our future,” and these little things in life. And Joan chuckled. I don’t want to speak for her, but it’s still a joke now. Everybody asks, “Well, what side of the bed do you sleep on?” Joan says, “Closest to the bathroom.” I know as a man, that especially with a stronger female, I’m going to sleep on the side she doesn’t want.

I’m glad you cleared that up, because when you asked it, I was like, “Oh, okay! We’re actually going there on this group date I guess?”

Joan: I thought it was funny.

Good, that’s what matters. Meanwhile, Joan, we saw your sweet mother’s reaction to your engagement. Did she at least know that Chock was the front-runner? Because that’s a huge surprise to spring on someone!

Joan: No, not really, because honestly, you don’t talk to your family much during filming. You’re really busy. So I hadn’t talked to her about Chock. She knew that one of my sons and one of my daughters were both coming out to Tahiti to meet somebody, but it was a little bit of a surprise for her when I said, “Hey mom, we’re here, and I am engaged, and he’s going to be your new son-in-law.”

Oh my God.

Joan: I know. She’s 92. I didn’t want to give her a heart attack, but it worked out okay.

Well ,that’s what I was wondering because I was like, “Please tell me she had a little bit of a heads-up because the poor woman can’t be finding out about something so big for the first time in a moment like that!”

Joan: She knew I was down to two guys and that my kids were coming to meet somebody. So I think that was a good hint.

On a totally different note, Chock, tell me the story behind your name.

Chock: It’s a nickname. My real name’s Charles, but I’ve always gone by Chock. There was never a common definition or reason why I received it, but my mother told me that with Charles, so many people get called Chuck and she didn’t like the name Chuck. Somebody [mentioned] Chock, and supposedly that’s the story. I’ve always gone by it, and I like it. When I went on The Golden Bachelorette, they said, “Do you want Charles or Chock?” I said, “It’s always been Chock.” Legally, I have to sign Charles. But that’s the story.

How did your mom decide on the spelling of it?

Chock: I can’t answer that question, I really can’t. My middle’s Jory, which you don’t hear very often either. There was an actor, I think it was Victor Jory, that my mother picked that up from.

So lastly, what are the Thanksgiving plans? Chock, will you be making your Chock-a-Noodle soup for Joan’s family?

Chock: Well, we’re all meeting at Joan’s place in Maryland, and we’re going to spend some time at Joan’s daughter’s place. So we’ve got that planned out. My kids are going to join us. We’re having a huge competition on the chicken noodle soup, and we’re going to let the world know because it’s going to be competitive. Joan and I are competitive people. I’m going to win. There is no question.

Joan: He’s never even had mine. I’m totally going to win.

Chock: I have three professional sous chefs that are going to help me.

Joan: That’s cheating.

Chock: No, it’s not. It’s going to be prepared. I’m always prepared. We’re looking forward to it. Joan’s a fantastic cook, and I’ll do the dishes anytime. We are going to have a soup off.

Joan: A soup cook off. It’s happening.

My only complaint after last night’s episode is that I want to see more of you guys as a couple as you start this next chapter. Will you be trying to share a lot on social media?

Joan: Yeah, chapter two is starting now, I feel like. We’ve gotten a little used to social media. It’s not a world either one of us had spent much time in prior to this, but I think that all the people that became invested in our journey deserve to see this next chapter. I think we’re going to work a little harder and do our best to be out there. Maybe show the New York City of it all, and life with our families and our grandkids. He’s going to be a new grandfather. He’s never been one, and I have three grandchildren. I think all these interactions may be really cute and maybe we’ll share it with the public.

Yes. Or just me. Because guys, I was there from the beginning. I feel very invested.

Joan: You were. You deserve it.