Gerry Turner aims to avoid the “villain” label in his separation from Theresa Nist by not only writing a book but also announcing a new engagement. Yet, his approach to vindicating himself could backfire. Rather than taking accountability, Turner seems fixated on attributing his negative media portrayal to Nist. There has always been speculation about the lack of affection between the ex-partners. Turner’s recent interview, where he accused Nist of joining the competition with misguided intentions, only strengthens this narrative. While we refrain from passing judgment prematurely, it appears Turner might inadvertently become the antagonist of his own story.

Gerry Turner seems pretty angry with Theresa Nist ahead of his book release

As the inaugural golden bachelor, Gerry Turner has chronicled his televised romantic journey and its subsequent unraveling in a memoir. While such a publication might seem predictable, his motives are quite distinctive. Speaking with Us Weekly, Turner expressed his desire to present his perspective after the public cast him as the “villain” in the narrative surrounding his divorce.

During the sitdown, Turner subtly lambasted his ex-wife. He suggested that she didn’t enter the competition with pure intentions and essentially lied to him. He told the outlet that Nist had a “strategy” going into the show, and played him. Turner seems particularly bitter about her career. Turner claimed she said she’d quit her job for the right person. Nist decided to continue working after they wed, though. The decision made it impossible for Turner to have the life he imagined with Nist.

He also told the publication that she went against their agreed-upon plan when announcing the divorce. While Turner has moved on and is already engaged again, he seems awfully bitter and angry towards Nist. He also implied that she’s the reason he’s been labeled a Bachelor Nation villain. That assertion seems a bit glib. It will be interesting to see if those feelings are even more evident in the book than they were during his recent sitdown. We imagine they will be.

Theresa Nist has been more subtle with her digs

Unlikely Turner, Nist has been careful not to blame the end of the marriage specifically on her ex-husband. Still, she’s alluded to there being deeper and darker reasons behind the split. Still, she’s kept it mostly quiet. Nist has repeatedly suggested that it all came down to not knowing each other well enough when they got married. She reiterated those feelings on a more recent podcast appearance, which makes sense. After all, they were engaged within eight weeks of meeting and married within seven months.

While Nist has tried to remain tight-lipped about the end of the marriage, she has defended herself against statements she perceives as attacks. In June, for example, Nist appeared on Almost Famous. During the appearance, she emphatically denied that Turner’s cancer diagnosis played a role in the end of the marriage for her. She noted that her husband, Billy Nist, was sick for several years before his death. She said that she disliked the suggestion that she would leave an ill partner. Turner’s cancer, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, is a rare form of blood cancer that, while incurable, is slow-growing and highly treatable.