The Golden Bachelorette fans vented their fury after Gil Ramirez received a group date rose from Joan Vassos after he was accused of stalking by an ex-girlfriend.
Vassos, 61, awarded Ramirez, 60, with a group date rose guaranteeing his presence for another week after he shared a tender story about his adopted daughter.
'Tonight, I want to give this rose to somebody who, um, really touched me with his story about his daughter and how much you love her and their story. So, Gil, will you accept this rose?,' Vassos said on Wednesday's episode of the ABC show.
'Of course,' Ramirez replied.
Vassos and Ramirez embraced after she pinned on the rose on him.
The Golden Bachelorette fans vented their fury after Gil Ramirez received a group date rose from Joan Vassos after he was accused of stalking by an ex-girlfriend
'I feel validated. I don't want someone to get old with, I want someone to stay young with. And I believe it could be Joan,' Ramirez said in a confessional. 'She sees me. Tops off a perfect day.'
Ramirez, an educator from Mission Viejo, California, was accused earlier this year of stalking by an ex-girlfriend who was granted a temporary restraining order by a court in June according to an article by People.
The Golden Bachelorette producers have 'further edited his already limited screen time and minimized him in promotional assets moving forward,' an insider told the outlet of the network's plans for dealing with the issue.
According to court records, the case was 'dismissed without prejudice for lack of prosecution for lack of service' and the temporary restraining order had been scuttled.
Viewers were critical of Ramirez getting a rose on social media.
'Restraining-order Gil getting the group-date rose…,' one viewer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
'So um what happened to featuring Gil less??????,' another posted on X.
'ABC just said FU to DV survivors everywhere. Your promise to cut him OUT! You have had ample time to edit. NO excuses! I almost turnedthe tv off immediately but d****t, I love Jonathan. ABC owes us a statement NOW and apologies,' another wrote on X, referencing contestant Jonathan Rone, 61.
Vassos, 61, awarded Ramirez, 60, with a group date rose guaranteeing his presence for another week after he shared a tender story about his adopted daughter
'Tonight, I want to give this rose to somebody who, um, really touched me with his story about his daughter and how much you love her and their story. So, Gil, will you accept this rose?,' Vassos said on Wednesday's episode of the ABC show
'I feel validated. I don't want someone to get old with, I want someone to stay young with. And I believe it could be Joan,' Ramirez said in a confessional. 'She sees me. Tops off a perfect day'
'Restraining-order Gil getting the group-date rose…,' one viewer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter
'So um what happened to featuring Gil less??????,' another posted on X
'ABC just said FU to DV survivors everywhere. Your promise to cut him OUT! You have had ample time to edit. NO excuses! I almost turnedthe tv off immediately but d****t, I love Jonathan. ABC owes us a statement NOW and apologies,' another wrote on X, referencing contestant Jonathan Rone, 61
Another post on X used a photo of JD Vance from the recent VP debate representing producers with the caption, 'The rules were you guys weren't going to fact check'
ABC introduces the first ever Golden Bachelorette, Joan
Another post referenced producers 'cutting Gil out of the show' along with a photo of JD Vance representing the producers along with the caption, 'The rules were you guys weren't going to fact check.'
The Golden Bachelorette is the latest spin-off in The Bachelor franchise and stars Vassos, a private school administrator and widow from Rockville, Maryland.
Vassos was previously a contestant on The Golden Bachelor featuring Gerry Turner, but left the show during week three due to a family emergency.
Turner, 72, made a surprise appearance on Wednesday's episode to offer his support to Vassos.
