Theresa Nist’s journey on reality TV as the winner of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor painted a heartfelt portrait of late-in-life romance unfolding in the public eye. As a 71-year-old financial services professional and grandmother from New Jersey, she captured viewers’ hearts with her genuine warmth. Despite celebrating a televised wedding to Gerry Turner, the couple faced criticism when their marriage ended just three months later. Now, Bachelor in Paradise Season 10 fans hoped to see Theresa hit the beach with the other Goldens. However, she explained why she didn’t receive a spot on the show despite arriving in Costa Rica to film.

Why didn’t ‘Golden Bachelor’ winner Theresa Nist join ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 10?

The Golden Bachelor fans remember Gerry Turner’s journey to find love. Gerry connected with Theresa Nist early on and chose her in the finale, delighting reality TV viewers. Their televised wedding inspired hope and was well-attended by Bachelor Nation alums. Unfortunately, the couple couldn’t make their romance work. But fans hoped to see either Gerry or Theresa on Bachelor in Paradise Season 10 with the announcement that contestants from The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette would hit the beach with the other Bachelor Nation alums.

Once arriving in Costa Rica, Theresa decided not to pursue a spot on Bachelor in Paradise. However, she then reconsidered. But production ultimately chose not to cast her.

“The chronology of events was, I went through all the testing, I was already there [in Costa Rica],” she said on the Almost Famous podcast hosted by Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti. “They asked me to check [out] the guys, and I was like, ‘I really can’t do it.’ But then I went back and said, ‘Oh, maybe I should give it a shot,’ and then I didn’t get it.”

Theresa was really excited at the idea of joining the other Goldens on the beach. But she realized she wanted to go on the show for the wrong reasons.

“I realized that I really was just excited about seeing the women, and having a reunion, and having a vacation with them,” she continued. “So, I thought it wasn’t fair to make it about that, and I really didn’t want to go on and pretend or just make up something, or make an alliance [with someone]. … It just didn’t feel right.”

Ashley noted that the producers probably didn’t like how Theresa didn’t appear to commit to the concept of the show, thus not bringing her on.

Theresa Nist seems to have found love off-camera

While speaking on the Almost Famous podcast, Theresa Nist teased a new man in her life.

“I absolutely do want to be in a relationship, and whether or not I’m in one right now, I’m not prepared to discuss,” she said.

In response, Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti asked Theresa follow-up “true” or “false” questions. When they asked Theresa if she was in a romantic relationship or dating someone, she answered, “True.”

The hosts then asked Theresa how many dates she and the mystery man went on.

“Several,” she answered. “You guys give really probing questions. You’re so good!” 

Theresa then noted that she doesn’t yet consider this mystery man her boyfriend.

‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 10 features a stacked cast of Golden favorites

Bachelor in Paradise Season 10 made franchise history by welcoming contestants from The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette to the beach. Among the senior arrivals were Golden Bachelor favorites April Kirkwood, Kathy Swarts, Leslie Fhima, and Natascha Hardee, joined by Golden Bachelorette alumni Jack Lencioni, Charles “CK” King, Keith Gordon, Kim Buike, and Ralph “RJ” Johnson. Later in the season, Gary Levingston also joins the beach, completing the “Golden” lineup.

While producers emphasize age-appropriate matchups, sparks have flown across age lines — particularly with April and her flirtatious rapport with Jonathon Johnson and Jack.

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