Theresa Nist may have received the final rose on The Golden Bachelor, but don’t expect her to sip margaritas on a beach in Mexico anytime soon — even if some of her franchise friends will be there.
The 70-year-old reality star, who found and lost love with Gerry Turner on season 1 of The Golden Bachelor, recently revealed why she won’t be appearing on season 10 of Bachelor in Paradise, despite being so close to joining the cast. Spoiler: it had absolutely nothing to do with the men.
“I went through all the testing, I was already there [in Costa Rica],” she told Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti during the June 5 episode of the Almost Famous podcast. “They asked me to check [out] the guys, and I was like, ‘I really can’t do it.’”
Initially, Nist said she was “so enthusiastic” about the idea — especially when she found out that Paradise would feature some of the franchise’s Golden stars. But the thrill wore off fast. “I realized that I really was just excited about seeing the women and having a reunion and having a vacation with them,” she admitted, per Life & Style.
So who were those women? Nist specifically hoped to reunite with Golden fan-favorites like Susan Noles, Kathy Swarts, and Nancy Hulkower — many of whom she’s stayed close with since filming wrapped. “They’re just so much fun, and I thought, ‘What a blast it would be to just hang out with them,’” she shared. “But I didn’t want to pretend. I didn’t want to make up a story or have to fake a connection.”
After telling producers she wasn’t interested, Nist had second thoughts. “I changed my mind,” she said. “I said, ‘You know what, maybe I’m being foolish.’” But by then, it was too late. “They didn’t select me,” she explained. “They said, ‘This girl is not committed.’”
Ashley Iaconetti, a Paradise alum herself, didn’t disagree: “They don’t love wishy-washy,” she quipped.
For fans still hoping to see a senior spark on the sand, don’t fret — it sounds like other Golden cast members will be showing up in Sayulita. As of now, Leslie Fhima and Gary Levingston have been confirmed.
As for Theresa? She’s happily dating off-screen, wishes Gerry well with his new girlfriend, and still makes time for brunch with Susan, Kathy, and the girls. Sometimes the best love stories aren’t romantic — they’re the ones where your besties bring the sunscreen.
Bachelor in Paradise returns to ABC for season 10 on July 7, 2025.
Before you go, click here to see the most dramatic splits in Bachelor and Bachelorette history.
