You never know when you might meet the one. For one Palm Desert man, the love of his life might be waiting for him at the famed Agoura Hills "Bachelor" mansion on the inaugural season of "The Golden Bachelorette."
Twenty four older men from around the country will vie for Joan Vassos' heart in the latest "Bachelor" spinoff series. She was a contestant on Gerry Turner’s season of "The Golden Bachelor," but had to leave the show early due to a family emergency.
"The Golden Bachelorette" will premiere Sept. 18 on ABC.
It's not the first time a "Bachelor" or "Bachelorette" show has had ties to the Coachella Valley. In January, 72-year-old Indiana widower Turner, ABC's first-ever "Golden Bachelor," married 70-year-old New Jersey financial advisor Theresa Nist in a live televised ceremony filmed at the La Quinta Resort & Club. Unfortunately, the couple announced their separation a few months later.
Who is 'Golden Bachelorette' contestant Gary of Palm Desert?
One of the contestants on the show is 65-year-old retired finance executive Gary Levingston from Palm Desert.
Levingston posted a photo of him meeting Vassos on his Instagram account and wrote, "Can't wait to share my journey" along with two rose emojis. In a promotional video for "The Golden Bachelorette," the valley resident was seen briefly talking about pickleball — if that doesn't scream Coachella Valley local, we don't know what does.
Though viewers at home will have to wait a few more weeks before meeting Levingston on the show, USA Today shared a short biography and a few fun facts about him.
Levingston is described as having "a zest for life that lights up every room he enters." In his free time, he enjoys taking spin classes, golfing and watching "The View." He is also the godson of the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll," the late Tina Turner, and enjoys singing and dancing.
"The charming father of two says his dating life has been nonexistent, but he couldn’t be more ready to meet his soulmate," USA Today reported. "Gary is hoping to meet a kind, caring and intelligent woman to travel the world with. He dreams of owning a home in the South of France, so Joan, we hope you’re ready to bon voyage with Gary!"
Who is 'Golden Bachelorette' Joan Vassos?
Vassos, 61, was among the top picks for the inaugural "Golden Bachelorette" following the success of "The Golden Bachelor," according to USA Today. Her stint as the lead of the new show will be a "second chance at love," according to an ABC release.
Vassos is a private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland. She became a stand-out contestant on Turner's season when she read a funny but sweet poem about meeting the bachelor called "I Just Hope I Don't Vomit on Your Shoes." The poem touched Turner, and the two connected on a following solo dinner date, which ended with him giving her a rose, and a deep kiss.
The next day, however, she received news that her daughter needed her due to a medical emergency, and Vassos had to end her time on the show.
When will 'The Golden Bachelorette' premiere?
The series will premiere on ABC at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 18. (air times have not been released yet for Pacific time, but based on previous "Bachelor" franchise airtimes — including the current season of "The Bachelorette" airing now — ABC has historically aired "Bachelor" franchise shows at 8 p.m. PT).
Episodes are also available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Meet the Palm Desert resident who will be a contestant on first-ever 'Golden Bachelorette'
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