For those keeping a close eye on The Golden Bachelor, here’s a twist that might shake things up: I don’t think the next lead will come from the remaining trio of hopefuls—Guy, Pascal, or Chock.
My money’s actually on Mark Anderson—an early fan favorite from Joan’s season who exited before the final rounds.
Usually, the next lead is a former contestant who got the boot, so introducing Mark directly as the lead might have been risky.
Mark quickly charmed viewers with his easygoing nature and killer smile. Plus, his care and support for his daughter endeared him to viewers quickly. Bachelor Nation already knew him as a familiar face from The Bachelor, where he made memorable cameos during his daughter Kelsey’s journey.
Fun fact: Kelsey ended up winning, and she and Joey are still going strong a year later, showing that maybe love really can bloom on reality TV.
Kelsey herself has become an all-time fan favorite, exuding that down-to-earth, “girls’ girl” vibe we all root for. And on a side note, Kelsey’s Justin Bieber Halloween costume this year? Absolute gold.
Now, when Kelsey appeared on The Bachelor, the internet’s affection for her dad, Mark, was pretty intense—almost hilariously so. Thirst trap edits and Mark memes were practically taking over social media.
When Mark was cast as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette, it felt more than a little orchestrated—as if the franchise had been priming him for a bigger role all along.
My guess? Casting him on Joan’s season was a strategic play. It seems like the idea was probably to let him build a fan base, get eliminated (albeit under a suspiciously casual send-off), and then bring him back as the lead. Joan’s low-key goodbye screams “planned exit. That’s my take, and this is not been confirmed by producers.
Despite being sent home early, his fan base continues to grow. It seems natural that producers plan to harness that momentum, setting the stage for a compelling season with Mark at the helm.
Though Mark’s intentions on the show seem genuine, the franchise is clearly looking to cash in on his massive popularity. His relatability, maturity, and the authentic connections he sparked on-screen make him an intuitive pick for the next Golden Bachelor.
This article is for informational purposes only. Trendy Matters has no affiliation with any of the brands or individuals mentioned, and the views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
