Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple got engaged at the end of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, but I'm convinced that their recent remark about being a "real couple" doesn't bode well. 61-year-old Joan met 60-year-old Chock during her season of the Bachelor spin-off. The private school from Maryland was already a known commodity because she made her television debut during The Golden Bachelor. Though she really connected with 72-year-old Gerry Turner during an early group date talent show event, Joan left the season early to tend to a family emergency.

Though I assumed Joan's Bachelor journey was over, she was soon announced as the Bachelor spin-off's first female lead. The Golden Bachelorette season 1 kicked off with Joan greeting 24 single Golden men, including Chock. She liked the insurance executive from Kansas right away, and even gave him the highly coveted first solo date. He went on to win her last date too, as well as her final rose. The couple got engaged during the final rose ceremony, but I think their recent comment about being a "real couple" sounds like there's trouble in paradise.

It Hasn't Been Easy For Joan & Chock

They've Both Lost So Much

Joan and Chock took circuitous routes to find each other during The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years until he died in 2021. They were deeply in love and had four children together; Nicholas, Allison, Erica, and Luke. With her children all grown up and out of the house, Joan found herself alone after her beloved late husband's death. She had never expected to reenter the dating pool at this stage in life, but she bravely decided to the cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1.

Like Joan, Chock knew what it meant to lose a great love. After his 12-year marriage to Heather Chapple ended in divorce, Chock was engaged to Katherine Goree for nine years before she ed away in 2022. Chock had two children with his first wife, Taylor and Tyler Chapple, who were now in their early 20s. Since getting engaged at the end of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, they've been trying to bring their children together and blend their families, but I don't think it's going as well as they'd hoped.

Joan & Chock Insist They're A Real Couple

"Real Couple"

The Golden Bachelorette season 1 finished filming months ago, so Joan and Chock had to keep their relationship a secret until the finale aired a few weeks ago. Since they went public, they've taken full advantage of their newfound freedom, and Joan and Chock can't stop loving on each other. Despite their happiness, they've been bothered by speculation that their relationship isn't real. Joan recently posted an Instagram video in which the couple addresses questions about their relationship. Joan and Chock both insist that they're a very real couple who are deeply in love.

Joan's post, which Chock also posted, has 8K likes so far, and the caption reads, "We're back in LA..."

During the Instagram clip, Joan and Chock talk about how surprised they are whenever they run into fans who seem shocked to discover that they're a real couple. They explain that they're very real, and they even go on to discuss some of the challenges they face as a real couple falling in love later in life. Chock and Joan imply that they're great when it's just the two of them being a couple, but it sounds to me like they're struggling to blend their families.

Joan & Chock's Troubling Family Comments Explained

Family Drama

Though Joan and Chock's holiday photos suggest their first t Vassos Chapple family gathering was a big success, The Golden Bachelorette couple recently made some comments that may imply otherwise. During the aforementioned Instagram clip, Joan and Chock talk about bringing their families together. At one point, Joan its that "the family part is a little harder right now." It's unclear what Joan meant by the statement, but I'd guess that not all their children are on board with their relationship.

The Golden Bachelorette season 1 can be streamed on Hulu.

Source: Joan Vassos/Instagram