The Golden Bachelorettecontestant Pascal Ibgui was a strong contender to be the star ofThe Golden Bachelor, but his bizarre request for his potential season proves that he doesn’t deserve to have the lead role because it raises red flags.Pascal, a 69-year-old salon owner who was born in France, but now lives in Chicago, Illinois, made it to Joan’s final three men. Joan, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, was falling for Pascal, but, unfortunately, the father and grandfather didn’t reciprocate her feelings.
During Pascal’sThe Golden BacheloretteFantasy Suite date in Tahiti, he realized that he wasn’t in love with Joan, and he didn’t feel a spark with her. He then self-eliminated, which came as a shock after his romantic Las Vegas one-on-one date with Joan, and his successful hometown date, during which she met his children, grandson, and friends. After his exit, some fans wanted to see him as the lead ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 2, buta new comment from Pascal should disqualify him from ever starring on the show.
What Was Pascal Ibgui’s Golden Bachelor Request?
Pascal Wants Something That Would Ruin The Premise Of The Show
In an interview withUs Weeklyafter theGolden Bachelorette"Men Tell All" episode taping, Pascal, who turned 70 on September 21, revealed that if he were to agree to be the next Golden Bachelor,he’d want younger women as his contestants. He said,“They will have to lower the age. The age [has] got to be lower. Yes, I’m old, but I don’t go out with a 72-year-old woman.”
They will have to lower the age. The age [has] got to be lower. Yes, I’m old, but I don’t go out with a 72-year-old woman.
Pascal’s request for younger womenis completely bizarre becausethe whole premise ofThe Golden Bacheloris for older people to have a chance to fall in love. While Pascal didn’t specify how young he wants the women to be, he did state that the producers will have to lower the age, which means that he wants women who are at least younger than 60.
Also, the fact that Pascal is completely closed off to dating women in their 70s should mean that he can never be the lead. Even if Pascal eventually said that he changed his mind, it would be hard to believe him after such a bold statement.
How Old Were Previous Golden Franchise Leads & Contestants?
The Show Is Already Getting Younger
The firstGolden Bachelorlead, Gerry Turner, was 72 years old when he filmed the show. His 22 contestants ranged in age from 60-75, and seven of them were 70 and older. In fact, Gerry’s final choice, Theresa Nist, turned 70 onThe Golden Bachelorpremiere night. At 61 years old when she was the Golden Bachelorette, Joan was eleven years younger than Gerry.Her 24 contestants ranged in age from 57-69, with Pascal being the oldestand Mark Anderson being the youngest.
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Joan’s season not onlywelcomed younger contestants than Gerry’s, but it didn’t include anyone over the age of 69 at the time of filming. This is most likely becauseshe was a lot younger than Gerry, but it started to put cracks in the premise of the show. Watching people in their 70s fall in love is a lot different from watching people in their late 50s and early 60s. The show isn’t truly “Golden” if the contestants are too young.
Pascal’s Request For Younger Women Would Destroy The Golden Bachelor
It Defeats The Purpose Of The Show
Pascal’s request for younger women would completely changeThe Golden Bachelor. The whole point of the show is to watch seniors fall in love. Although Pascal didn’t say what age would be acceptable to him, the fact that he dated Joan at 61 probably means that he’d want women who were at least a decade younger than him. However, he didn’t feel a spark with her, which, at the time, seemed to have to do with their personalities not meshing. Now, though,one can’t help but wonder if he was looking for a much younger woman.
Men like Pascal are the exact reasonthatThe Golden Bachelorwas created in the first place. It was supposed to show that older women are still desirable and lovable. It became more than a reality dating series because it was hopeful and inspiring. It proved thatolder women deserve to be seen and to have another chance at finding love. If Pascal doesn’t want older women, then he shouldn’t be the Golden Bachelor.
Pascal’s Request Is Ageist & Reinforces Negative Stereotypes
It’s Time For Older Women To Shine
Pascal’s ageist request for younger women, and bluntly stating that he wouldn’t date a 72-year-old woman,reinforces the negative stereotypes that the show is trying to break. The fact that Pascal would reject a woman he’s never met based solely on her age is unfair. Joan has repeatedly talked about feeling invisible as she gets older, and Pascal’s request for younger contestants is only proving how society discards older women.
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DuringThe Golden Bachelor, the seven women in their 70s were shining examples of how vibrant, active, and beautiful older women are.Theresa (70), Kathy Swarts (70), Patty James (70), Ellen Goltzer (71), Christina Kempton (73), Sandra Mason (75), and Pamela Burns (75), broke down stereotypesabout older women being out of their prime, and proved that age is just a number.Pascal’s comments totally discountedwhat those women brought to theBachelorfranchise, and he should never have the lead role because he’d set the show back.
Pascal Should Never Be The Golden Bachelor
The Producers Shouldn’t Give In To His Request
Because Pascal isn’t willing to follow the premise ofThe Golden Bachelor, he should never be given the lead role.It would be insulting and hypocritical to have a 70-year-old man looking for love, but refusing to give anyone his own age or a bit older a chance, simply based on her age. Pascal and Kim Buike were the two oldest contestants on Joan’s season, but Pascal was the oldest because his birthday comes before Kim’s. He would surely have been upset if Joan had sent him home on night one just because he was older than her and older in general.
TheGolden Bachelorproducers already lowered the ages of the contestants for Joan’s season, and they should never do that again. It’s important that the older generation is represented, andlowering the ages of the contestants sends the wrong message.Pascal’s request goes against everythingthatThe Golden Bacheorrepresents, and he doesn’t deserve to be the lead after trying to alter the show to meet his own needs.
It should be noted that there’s nothing wrong with Pascal wanting to date women who are younger than him. If that’s his preference, then he shouldn’t be forced to date anyone he doesn’t want to date. However, if these are his demands, then he can’t be the star ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 2. It’s Pascal’s loss because he could be missing out on meeting a wonderful woman just because of his preconceived notions.Pascal should never be the Golden Bachelor after requesting younger women becauseTheGolden Bachelorhas to remain golden.
The Golden Bacheloris available to stream on Hulu.
The Golden Bachelorettefinale airs Wednesday, November 13 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
The Golden Bachelorette
Cast
The Golden Bachelorette: This reality series offers one woman in her later years the opportunity to find love, as a group of seasoned men compete for her affection. Participants bring diverse romantic histories, seeking a meaningful connection and a chance to build a promising future together.
