Retired Portland videographer to look for love on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Portlanders may see a familiar face looking for love in the inaugural season of “The Golden Bachelorette.”

ABC unveiled the cast of the reality dating series on Tuesday. Bill, a retired videographer from Portland, was first on the lineup.

The TV network describes him as an outgoing, charismatic person. The 68-year-old man told ABC he is a “hopeless romantic,” a trait he accredits to his Latin background.

“I think falling in love for me feels like you’re floating almost,” Bill said in an introduction video. “You know, you’re just on a constant high and it’s just 24/7 being happy and having a positive outlook on life because you’re sharing it with someone you can’t stop thinking about.”

According to Bill’s bio , he has two daughters from his previous marriage. He said his children and ex-wife are supportive of him joining the show. He told ABC he has attempted to find love on “every dating site,” but hasn’t been successful thus far.

Bill enjoys playing the guitar, listening to the Beatles and public speaking — as a member of two Toastmasters clubs. Additionally, he said he would love to open his own coffee shop named “Billy Beans” and is watching every film that has won an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Seattle native Kim, a 69-year-old retired Navy captain, was cast in the show as well.

The Pacific Northwest natives are two of 24 men who will be dating 61-year-old Joan Vassos, a Maryland school who was announced as the first-ever Golden Bachelorette back in May.

Featuring contestants in their “golden years,” the series serves as a spin-off of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” which premiered in 2003. The network’s “The Golden Bachelor” first aired earlier this year, averaging nearly 10 million viewers across different platforms.

The new series premieres on ABC on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Episodes will also be available for streaming on Hulu.

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