September 19, 2024
Ricky Middlesworth/Disney
Charles L., of Malvern, received a rose and plenty of positive attention online during his appearance in 'The Golden Bachelorette' premiere on Wednesday.
At the time when Bachelor Nation may have needed him the most, a local contestant emerged as a new franchise darling during "The Golden Bachelorette" series premiere.
Charles L., a 66-year-old retired data analyst from Malvern, made his debut during Wednesday's episode of the dating show spinoff. The father of two connected with lead Joan Vassos, 61, as they shared tea and jokes, and he earned fans on social media for his sweet demeanor and his pure awe of the Bachelor Mansion set. Plus, he received a rose, so fans can continue following his journey for love.
RELATED: Philly's Charles L., 66, to look for love on 'The Golden Bachelorette'
The episode was a tearjerker from the start, as Vassos explained how she lost her husband to pancreatic cancer after 33 years together. Many of her 24 suitors also shared tragic tales of losing their own partners, including Charles — whose last name has not been released by ABC and whose Bachelorette bio previously stated he was from Philadelphia. He said six years ago he lost his wife, who he described as his "first and only love." Charles has been lonely ever since, and his daughters encouraged him to try to find love again.
"I hope that Joan will know that I am very honest, nice, humorous, and if I can brag to say, pretty handsome," he told cameras.
That humor was on full display when he stepped out of the limo for the first time to greet Vassos, and said, "I’m 66 years old, but I look like 36."
charles said "I'm 66 years old but I look 36" I love him 😭😭#TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/6KbDJB8Aam
— bach memes (@thebachelwhore) September 19, 2024
The first nights of filming in the Bachelor franchise can often take all night, with rose ceremonies happening as the sun comes up. And much to fans' delight, Charles seemed to pass the time by walking around the Bachelor Mansion, where the contestants reside for the first days of their journey, and exclaiming in awe at the opulent abode.
"It’s real nice," Charles said, admiring the Le Creuset pots and other kitchen appliances in the mansion. "Oh, boy! They have a humongous refrigerator."
Charles is PRECIOUS #GoldenBachelorette #Joan #Charles #GoldenBachelor pic.twitter.com/axqvyP6R1x
— Jen 🌱 (@veganmacaron) September 19, 2024
Charles also had an early camaraderie with his fellow contestants and showed off his tight family ties when one of his daughters made him a video wishing him luck on his journey. Charles also shared a romantic cup of tea with Vassos, and she reciprocated by giving him a rose during the ceremony, while six others were sent home. Charles further endeared himself to Bachelor Nation with his humility during the rose ceremony as he appeared to mouth a surprised "Me?" when Vassos called his name. Mark Anderson, the future father-in-law of "Bachelor" star Joey Graziadei, also nabbed a rose.
Charles' first night earned him plenty of fans, who posted on social media that Charles is "precious" and the "cutest man." They also called for him to appear on a future "Golden" edition of the "Bachelor in Paradise" spinoff and called for him to meet "Golden Bachelor" fan favorites, like Delco's Susan Noles. Here's what Charles' new fan club was saying on X, formerly Twitter:
I could watch 2 hours straight of charles exploring the bachelor mansion#TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/R3WzeX5MTm
— bach memes (@thebachelwhore) September 19, 2024
Give the scene of him examining the mansion an Emmy #GoldenBachelorette#TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/P5MGhInYxF
— TheBachBabes (@TheBachBabes) September 19, 2024
Would 1,000,000% watch a reality show about Charles and Pascal just talking about stuff. #TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/0GAXRLGUKj
— Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin) September 19, 2024
Charles is literally me at a house party #TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/emcbHSHIbF
— Kayla McKechnie (@kayla_mckechnie) September 19, 2024
petition for bachelor in paradise to hire these two icons as chef and bartender #TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/jkwedAtuWh
— the bitchelorette (@Bitchelorette_) September 19, 2024
Protect Charles at all costs #TheGoldenBachelorette #GoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/nwz0o24c4c
— Shelby (@Shelby_Delaine) September 19, 2024
CHARLES SAYING “me?” WHEN HE GOT PICKED. DON’T DO THIS TO ME #TheGoldenBachelorette #GoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/hKCiqp5FLd
— MSU Chicks (@msuchicks) September 19, 2024
Someone call Susan and Kathy for these 2 stat. #TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/7lXKvfFxm8
— Caitlin Anderson (@itscaitanderson) September 19, 2024
Not to be dramatic but I’d die for Charles #TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/Od4hbEJWBb
— AP (@APsomaras) September 19, 2024
"Oh, boy! They have a humongous refrigerator!" It is physically impossible for me to love Charles L. more. #TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/hP639Uepvq
— Kristen Baldwin (@KristenGBaldwin) September 19, 2024
this is the cutest man I have ever seen, protect him at literally all costs or ELSE#TheGoldenBachelorette pic.twitter.com/6X0CQzU58j
— bach memes (@thebachelwhore) September 19, 2024
The levity brought on by the wholesome "Golden Bachelorette" premiere — which even featured a group pickleball match — was much-needed by Bachelor Nation, who have been watching the nasty fallout of "The Bachelorette" season, which ended earlier this month with a contentious breakup between Tran and her final rose recipient, Devin Strader. Subsequently, it came out that Strader had been arrested in 2017 on accusations that he burglarized his ex-girlfriend's home and also had a restraining order against him, leading to questions about how he made it through the casting process.
"The Golden Bachelorette" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Here's what's coming up this season:
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