‘Golden Bachelorette’ Suitor Shocks Fans By Revealing Secret Cancer Diagnosis
Joan Vassos’ eliminated The Golden Bachelorette contestants gathered for the "Men Tell All" special to rehash their time on the show and give surprising updates of their post-season lives.
The first-ever Golden Bachelorette "Men Tell All" episode was filled with surprises for the in-studio audience and the fans at home.
One guy revealed his previously unknown cancer diagnosis, another confided he’s found a girlfriend, and two unveiled major hair changes.
The 15 former suitors seemed to have fun seeing each other again, and Joan herself joined them and host Jesse Palmer for more insights.
With just a week to go before Joan’s Wednesday, Nov. 13 grand finale, read on to find out more about the “Men Tell All.”
Which Golden Bachelorette suitor had cancer?
After a clip recap of Joan’s season, one of the guys revealed a shocking health crisis.
Earlier in the season, the men had been in a playful strip show to benefit the charity Stand Up to Cancer. As fans know, Joan lost her husband John Vassos to pancreatic cancer.
On the “Men Tell All,” Michael Stevens, who was eliminated in Week 2, told Jesse he’d kept a secret.
“Just before I got the initial call [to be on] the show, I was diagnosed with cancer. My immediate inclination was not to proceed. But my sons and my daughter-in-law really wanted me to. They had sent the [Golden Bachelorette] application in and my doctor okayed it,” Michael said.
“What could have been a really lousy, difficult year for me instead was kind of a great one, because I got this amazing experience tucked into it.”
Disney/Ricky Middlesworth
While Michael didn’t reveal what type of cancer he had, to the relief of the crowd, he said, “I’m going to be fine. It was caught early.”
Jesse announced that ABC would be donating to Stand Up to Cancer in honor of all the people on the show who’d been affected by the disease.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Who hit the 'Men Tell All' hot seat?
Jonathan Rone sat down with Jesse to discuss his GB journey and noted, “Joan validated me…I felt comfortable. I felt safe.”
The hunk touched show viewers by going to his first prom on the show.
Jonathan was grateful for Joan “caring about my heart.”
He revealed that a fellow contestant, Mark Anderson, had left post-it notes in his coffee cup at the mansion.
Mark wrote to him, “Jonathan, I am humbled to have met you. You are a fantastic human being.”
(Disney/Gilles Mingasson)
Mark also gave Jonathan, who has struggled with his confidence, a post-it to put on his bathroom mirror at home, that said, “I am strong, I am deserving…I am enough.”
Jonathan said after receiving Mark’s note, “I just started bawling” and it helped him greatly.
Mark was visibly moved.
What did Mark say about his time on The Golden Bachelorette?
Mark, who famously is the father of The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei’s show fiancée Kelsey Anderson, recalled to Jesse how both he and Joan “lost a loved one through death.”
Mark and Joan’s spouses both died of cancer, which gave them a bond. In the end, though, Joan sent him home.
Joey was in the audience to support Mark, saying, “Kelsey wishes she could be here” and “we wish you nothing but the best. We love you, man.”
Mark is a strong contender to be the next Golden Bachelor!
Disney/Ricky Middlesworth
Who else got a big “Men Tell All” segment?
Widower Charles L. won fans and Jesse raved, “Charles-mania is literally sweeping the nation,” also calling him a pop culture icon.
He teased Charles about his obviously dyed hair. While it had been gray in the mansion, for the special, it was black!
Disney/Ricky Middlesworth
A recap video showed how Charles talked about his wife’s death with ER doc Guy Gansert (one of Joan’s two final men).
Guy’s conclusion that Charles’ wife had bit her tongue when she had a brain aneurysm relieved Charles’ mind.
His daughter Sophia, who was in the studio, told the audience about him, “He exudes this newfound confidence.”
A home video showed Charles dancing at a recent wedding he attended.
When Jesse asked if he was ready to try dating again, Charles replied, “I would say yes.”
A woman in the crowd stood up and yelled, “We think you should be our next Golden Bachelor. But, if not, my mom is single!”
What did Pascal tell Jesse?
Pascal Ibgui, who finished as Joan’s No. 3 man, earned a hot seat appearance on “Men Tell All.”
He looked different as he appeared clean-shaven, having ditched the facial hair he had on the show.
(Disney/Gilles Mingasson)
A video reprise reminded viewers that the Frenchman had self-eliminated on last week’s episode, telling Joan, “I’m not in love. I need that spark and I just don’t have it.”
Pascal told Jesse when cameras came back, “It’s very emotional…with more time, I could have been there.
“I hope I didn’t hurt her…she is a wonderful woman,” he said, adding that he wasn’t able to give Joan what she needed.
The mansion men had taught Pascal, “It’s okay to cry.”
Pascal’s son Maxim stood up in the audience and told him how proud he’d been to see his dad show vulnerability on The Golden Bachelorette.
What did Joan do on 'Men Tell All'?
Joan, 61, arrived in a low-cut black gown that displayed her enviable body.
(Disney/Christopher Willard)
She recalled how moved she was when the guys got banged up playing kickball for her.
Joan’s mom Mary, 92, was in the audience and looking healthy after her illness during her daughter’s season. Gary was happy to see her, as he’d recited a prayer for her with Joan on the show.
Then Charles L. told Joan, “To meet you was a turning point in my life.”
Joan vowed to “exchange phone numbers” with Charles so they could stay in touch.
She wished Pascal the best, and told all the guys, “I want to have friendship with all of you.”
What romantic news did one guy reveal?
Jonathan suddenly announced, “I’ve met someone…I’m happy.”
He didn’t go into any details about the lucky lady, but the crowd cheered.
The TV special ended with bloopers and a preview of Joan’s “highly emotional season finale” -- in the words of Jesse!