LOS ANGELES – There’s already a bit of a twist brewing before Joan Vassos makes her debut as the lead in the groundbreaking “The Golden Bachelorette” this Wednesday (8 EDT/PDT).

At 61, Vassos shares that her four adult children were supportive when they found out that she would be ABC’s first Golden Bachelorette, seeking love among 24 men of the same age. This follows last year’s successful premiere season of “The Golden Bachelor.”

However, the Vassos family has made a somewhat unreasonable request: they have forbidden their grandmother of three from kissing anyone on television and have also nixed the Fantasy Suites nights, a common part of the franchise.

“You have to kiss some frogs to find your prince,” Vassos tells YSL News. “I told them I wouldn’t, but I was being a little dishonest. They don’t know the truth, and I’m keeping it under wraps.”

Vassos, who briefly appeared on “Golden Bachelor,” experienced a poignant connection with widower Gerry Turner, bonding over their mutual losses. However, after a touching dinner in Episode 3, she had to leave the show early due to a family emergency.

Reflecting on her departure, Vassos feels that viewers appreciated her decision to leave and prioritize her daughter’s wellbeing after a challenging childbirth.

“At our age, we carry many responsibilities – my children, and my mother, who’s 92,” Vassos states. “Leaving the show resonated deeply with the audience.”

Vassos believes that her unexpected departure helped land her another chance in the spotlight, receiving a call from producers to participate in “Golden Bachelorette.”

“There were others who lasted longer in the show and may have seemed more worthy,” Vassos acknowledges. “But it was nice to receive that call.”

‘Golden Bachelorette’ Vassos feels ‘pressure’ after ‘Golden Bachelor’ exit

Joining this high-profile dating show came with its own challenges. Fans are aware that the “Golden Bachelor” franchise faced some hurdles after revealing a less-than-ideal background for Gerry Turner, which caused some disappointment. Turner eventually married Theresa Nist in a live wedding broadcast, but they announced their divorce just three months later. This turmoil cast a shadow over the “Golden” brand.

Despite the issues, Vassos maintains respect for Turner and their journey, acknowledging the challenges they faced.

“We all witnessed that things didn’t pan out,” she notes. “I commend them for moving on and recognizing they still have time to find love.”

However, Vassos can’t deny that the fallout from the previous season has raised the stakes for her own experience on “Golden Bachelorette.”

“Honestly, I felt a bit of pressure; I won’t lie,” Vassos admits. “Part of me hoped to prove that I could be the fresh start. If this season doesn’t turn out well, it could signal the end for the ‘Golden’ series.”

She felt reassured upon meeting the new group of 24 diverse men, including Mark Anderson, Kelsey Anderson’s charismatic father.

“I did feel pressured, but once I met the guys, I thought, ‘This is going to work out just fine,’” Vassos says, hinting she has an exciting ending in store. “I can’t wait to share the journey, which was remarkable. Viewers are going to love the show and the men involved.”

One thing she’s willing to reveal: Vassos, who describes herself as “serious,” is looking for someone outgoing, much like her late husband, John Vassos, who brought joy to every room until he passed away after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Joan Vassos shares that she experienced feelings of guilt about being on a TV dating show after the death of her cherished husband. She stated, “I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be honoring his memory. And I know that people will think, ‘If you loved him so much, how could you participate in this show?'”

However, she found the journey to be emotionally healing. Within the “Golden Bachelor” house, she connected with other grieving widows, describing it as “the group therapy I needed. I felt so much better after I left.”

Vassos has since overcome her concerns that the “Golden Bachelorette” might disrespect John’s memory. She recalls that he was the bigger fan of reality shows, enjoying “Real Housewives” and “The Bachelor.”

“When I expressed to a friend my feelings of guilt, she exclaimed, ‘That’s ridiculous!'” Vassos recounted. “She said John would be watching from above, cheering me on and loving it. I truly believe he’s with me in this journey.”