The Golden Bachelor’s Leslie Fhima recently addressed rumors about her future withThe Bachelorfranchise. 65-year-old Leslie, a dance instructor from Minnesota, made her television debut as a contestant vying for 72-year-old Gerry Turner’s final rose. After a thrilling season of dates and drama, Leslie made it to Gerry’s final two. Though he told her she was “the one,” he turned around and gave his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist instead. Leslie was devastated, but she put on a brave face and even attended Gerry and Theresa’s lavishGolden Bachelorwedding.
After Leslie had her heart ripped out on national television at the end ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 1, there was a lot of speculation about her future with the franchise. Many saw her as the natural choice to be theBachelorspin-off’s first female lead, butthe producers cast 61-year-old Joan Vassos asThe Golden Bacheloretteinstead. There was little information about how the decision was made, and whether Leslie turned the role down. Recently, Leslie broke her silence and openly discussed details about negotiations for the role ofThe Golden Bachelorette.
Leslie Was Gerry Turner’s Runner-Up
Second Best
Gerry didn’t seem interested in Leslie throughout the first half ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 1, but they slowly formed a strong bond as they got to know each other. Gerry seemed to have more in common with the twice-divorced mother of three than he did with Theresa. While Theresa appeared to be a type-A personality,Leslie seemed more similar to Gerry. She shared his fun-loving, laid-back attitude. In the end, Gerry made his choice, and Leslie was devastated.
Leslie Was Rumored To Be In The Running
The Role Went To Another Golden Bachelor Alum
After seeing Joan get her heart ripped out on national television, fans were angry on her behalf. Gerry was blamed for misleading her by telling her she was “the one” before turning around and choosing someone else.Leslie’s vulnerability helped make her a fan favorite, and people felt like they wanted to protect her. They also wanted to see her get a second chance at love.
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The Bachelorfranchise is known for casting from within. In other words, theyoften cast their leads from among the rejected contestantsof the last series. That’s why, when Gerry sent Leslie home, many fans expected her to get the role. Producers did cast a former contestant asThe Golden Bachelorette, as Joan had also appeared alongside Leslie in thecast ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 1.
Leslie Finally Broke Her Silence
Her Shocking Confession
After Leslie was sent home fromThe Golden Bachelorseason 1, there was a lot of speculation about her future with the franchise, which only accelerated after Joan was cast asThe Golden Bachelorette. Some people believed Leslie turned down the role, while others believed ABC preferred Joan. Others stillwondered if the show’s producers didn’t want to cast Leslie because she was a two-time divorceewhile Joan was a widower. By then, Gerry and Theresa’s marriage had already fallen apart, and they didn’t want another divorce on their hands.
For a long time, Leslie stayed quiet about what happened after she leftThe Golden Bachelorseason 1, but she recently broke her silence.
Appearing on theGood Timepodcast on YouTube, Leslie finally addressed rumors. She revealed she was not offered the role ofThe Golden Bacheloretteafter leavingThe Golden Bachelor,nor was she even in talks. It’s shocking to hear Leslie wasn’t being considered, even though she was such a fan favorite. Though Joan did a great job as the spin-off’s first female lead, it’s a shame that Leslie never got her chance. If all goes well, perhaps Leslie will be cast in the inaugural season ofThe Golden Bachelor In Paradise.
65 years old
Dance and fitness instructor
Children
3
The Golden Bachelorseason 1 can be streamed in full on Hulu.
The Golden Bachelor
Cast
The Bachelor returns to TV with The Golden Bachelor, a romantic reality competition series created for ABC. The show will focus on an older generation of hopefuls, with one senior male hoping to court and win the heart of one of several older female contestants.
