The Golden Bachelor Contestants Defend Gerry and Theresa After Divorce Announcement

On April 12, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist proved The Golden Bachelor is just as chaotic as the rest of the franchise. Just three months after the show’s golden couple got married on national television, Turner and Nist appeared on Good Morning America to announce their impending divorce.

“Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, and so forth, and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage,” Turner said, attributing their split to a disagreement over where to live, as Turner did not want to leave Indiana and Nist felt the same way about New Jersey. Turner went on to officially file for divorce “immediately” following the broadcast, according to Page Six.

While some Bachelor Nation fans suspect their might be a bit more to their split tan the couple is letting on, some of Nist’s former housemates (and Turner’s former girlfriends) are coming to the couple’s defense. Here’s how The Golden Bachelor host and contestants have responded to the news so far.

Jesse PalmerThe 45-year-old Bachelor host sent his love with an Instagram post. “My heart is forever with these two beautiful souls,” he wrote with a heart emoji. “I am eternally grateful to have gotten to know Gerry and Theresa and to have been a small part of their journey. I learned a lot about life, love and family watching and talking with them. Wishing them and their families both nothing but happiness.”

Susan Noles and Kathy SwartsNoles, who officiated the couple’s wedding, reacted to the news with fellow contestant Kathy Swarts on Instagram. “We just watched it on TV,” Swarts said. “It is sad, it is tragic. Please people be kind. These are our friends. The love didn’t work out, but they’re great people. Our hearts are breaking for them.” You can watch the video here.

Noles agreed, asking fans to “be supportive,” of the couple. “I truly believe those two fell in love,” she said. “So be supportive everybody. Stay positive, and we wish them all the best.” According to Page Six, she also responded to one Instagram commenter’s question about the reason for the split, writing, “neither one of them can leave their families.”

ABC

Faith MartinMartin, who made it all the way to hometown dates, questioned if the couple asked the “right questions” before their marriage. “My heart goes out to both of them,” Martin told People on April 12. “It’s a very difficult situation, and I think it is important to realize that on a show like this, it’s so important to be so transparent and so much yourself filled with honesty and truth and ask those right questions.”

She continued, “That’s why it’s such a serious thing. You got to ask the right questions to see if things could really, really work, and perhaps they just did not have enough time for that.”

Joan VassosThe season one contestant kept it simple on Instagram Stories. “My heart goes out to my good friends Gerry and Theresa,” she wrote.” “I know they care for each other deeply and they will always have a special relationship.”

April Lynn KirkwoodThough she didn’t mention the couple by name, Kirkwood seems to be living for the drama. The Golden Bachelor contestant posted an Instagram Reel of herself frolicking in a pretty dress, writing, “POV watching drama you’re not involved in unfold around you.”

In the video’s caption, she continued, “Drama is part of the human experience but so is protecting your own inner peace. Respect others on their journey through the highs and lows with grace & kindness.”

Sylvia Robledo“We respect and care for both of them,” Robledo wrote on Instagram “They have great memories and love for each other. Wishing the best for both of them.”

Renee Wright“My heart goes out to Theresa and Gerry who truly found love and still love each other today,” Renee wrote on Instagram. “We found wonderful friendships during Golden Bachelor show [sic] and we hope and pray that everyone is kind and understanding during this sad time. God bless you Theresa and Gerry…stay strong. I hope you both know the Golden ladies are supporting you today and always…Much love!!”

Leslie FhimaTurner’s runner-up has yet to comment, though she has been busy posting Costa Rica vacation pics on her Instagram Stories.

This post may be updated.