After being eliminated fromThe Golden Bachelorette, Mark Anderson may already be in a committed relationship, which would mean he’s not eligible to beThe Golden Bachelor.This would come as very disappointing news to manyBachelorNation fans. They’ve been clamoring for 58-year-old Mark to beTheBachelorspin-off’s next male lead since he made his television debut duringThe Bachelorseason 28. When Mark’s daughter, 25-year-old Kelsey Anderson, took her boyfriend, 28-year-old Joey Graziadei, home during her hometown date, fans fell in love with the retired widower, and a star was born.
Mark was married to Denise Andersonfor 18 happy years, and they had five children together before she passed away in 2018. He hadn’t dated much since his late wife died, but he jumped in, feet first, when he was cast inThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. Hopes were high for the retired Army veteran, but 61-year-old Joan Vassos preferred the company of other men. Since leaving the show,Mark has been rumored to be dating a television actress. If the rumors are true, and Mark is already in a committed relationship, he can’t beThe Golden Bachelor.
Mark’s Basically Bachelor Nation Royalty
Fan Favorite
Though he was only onscreen for a brief time, he left an out-sized impression. When he was announced as a contestant onThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, hopes were high he’d swoop in and win Joan’s heart. It didn’t work out that way. Instead of falling in love with Mark, Joan was far more interested in other men,like 60-year-old Chock Chapple and 66-year-old Guy Gansert. Once Joan eliminated Mark from the show, internet rumors ran rampant about Mark’s future with the franchise, and many expected him to be namedThe Golden Bachelor.
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After appearing onThe Golden Bachelorette,Mark’s star rose even higher. His social media following grew, andMarknow boasts 50.4K followers on Instagram. He also often appeared alongside his daughter, Kelsey, as she roots for Joey onDancing With The Starsseason 33. Inspired by his famous daughter, Mark has been growing his brand as a public figure. He was a natural choice to beThe Golden Bachelor,andit was even speculated he was only cast in Joan’s season ofThe Golden Bacheloretteto prepare him forThe Golden Bachelorseason 2 role.
“Something Missing”
Hopes were high when Mark joined thecast ofThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. During the premiere night, Joan seemed genuinely excited about meeting him,but her excitement quickly fizzled. Maybe it was because Mark liked Joan so much, but whenever she was around, he’d get really quiet and disappear into the background. While he let his personality out when he was hanging out with the other men, he was almost solemn when Joan was around.
Though Joan and Mark weren’t connecting, she kept giving him roses and kept him around. It seemed like Joan wanted to like Mark. Eventually,Joan gave Mark a highly-coveted one-on-one date, and it was finally his chance to turn things around. She picked Mark up in a sports car, and they drove to the coast, where they boarded a luxury yacht. They set sail on what was supposed to be a romantic voyage, but it felt more like a shipwreck.
Joan and Mark sat in long periods of awkward silence, just staring out at the sea during the world’s worst date.
The only time they spoke was when they trauma bonded about their late spouses. Like Mark, Joan was a widower who had lost John Vassos, her husband of 32 years, in 2021. After the painfully awkward date, it was clear that Joan and Mark would not be leaving the show as a couple. The next day, Joan pulled Mark aside,told him there was “something missing” between them, and sent Mark home before that night’s rose ceremony.
Mark Was Spotted With A TV Actress
Prince Charming & Cinderella
Though Mark was devastated after Joan eliminated him fromThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, he seemed to bounce back quickly. He was recently photographed withBarbara Woods,a television actress known forOne Tree Hill.In the Halloween photo,Barbara is in a Cinderella costume, and Mark is dressed as Prince Charming. Fans ofABC’s The Golden BacheloretteandOne Tree Hillwere excited about thepotential match between Mark and Barbara. A couple’s costume is a sign of a serious relationship, which would make Mark ineligible to beThe Golden Bachelor.
Kathy Swarts' Big Reveal
Is The Cat Out Of The Bag?
Mark and Barbara haven’t addressed their relationshipstatus, but that didn’t stop formerThe Golden Bachelorcontestant Kathy Swarts from letting the cat out of the bag.Kathyrecently posted a photo to Instagram of her and Mark smiling side by side, with a caption that reads, “He isn’t mine AND this is a fine guy who has found his happy.” Her statement about Mark finding “his happy"makes it sound likeThe Golden Bachelorseason 1 star is in a relationship.
Since appearing briefly onThe Bachelorseason 28, then as a contestant onThe Golden Bachelorette,Mark has seemed like the perfect choice to beThe Golden Bachelor.
The final few episodes ofThe Golden Bacheloretteaired with ads asking women to apply to be contestants onThe Golden Bachelor. WithTheBachelorspin-off’s second season currently in production, many have speculated that Mark will soon be named the next male lead, but Kathy’s big reveal may change everything. If the single father of five had already found love, Mark shouldn’t beThe Golden Bachelor.
58 years old
5
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.
