Golden Bachelorette's Gary says godmother Tina Turner would be 'proud' of his journey

From the very moment he stepped — that is, danced — out of the limo on The Golden Bachelorette, Gary Levingston was a force of pure joy.

The 65-year-old retired finance executive (and godson of Tina Turner) impressed Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos with his faith, his positive spirit, and of course, his dance moves. The two shared many sweet moments together — like posing for pictures at the "senior" prom and FaceTiming his son on his birthday — but ultimately, Joan chose not to give Gary a rose on Wednesday's episode.

Gary boogies his way into Joan's heart on 'The Golden Bachelorette'.ABC
Though Gary says it was a "sad moment," he has nothing but happy memories from his time on The Golden Bachelorette. Entertainment Weekly had the pleasure of chatting with him about what he was thinking at that last rose ceremony, how he felt baring all at the Stand Up To Cancer striptease date, how his godmother would feel about his reality TV adventure, and more.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you end up on the show? Did someone nominate you?

GARY LEVINGSTON: That was an interesting thing. I was at church, and someone handed me the application. I said, "No, I can't do that. I'm too private." We befriended each other over the next couple of months. An event came up that I went to support him at and I said, "Well, let me just fill this thing out. It's not a big deal." And then from there, the rest is history. It took about two months or so for me to finally succumb and to do it, and here I am!

How would you sum up your time on the show?

It was absolutely sensational. It was an experience that I could have never imagined, but that I wouldn't give back or anything. It was pretty special.

How were you feeling at the last rose ceremony? Did you think Joan would give you a rose?

I didn't know. Every rose ceremony, not just the last one, is so intense. Your energy is at an all-time high. The anxiety, the nerves — you're standing there, you're waiting, you're praying she calls your name. Then she calls everyone else's name. At the last rose ceremony, there were only four roses up there. And I'm thinking, "This has got to be my day. This is maybe my day. This is not my day." It was a pretty sad moment, because I did want the journey to continue.

You and Joan had some really lovely moments together. Were there any that we didn't get to see?

No. I think the production, who did a fabulous job showing all those moments, was just incredible. From the prayer that I had written for her, and her giving me the framed picture from prom, and us chatting on the phone the first night — they captured pretty much every moment, including after the kickball game when the sun was just setting on the horizon. She and I were sitting there on the field watching that. It was pretty incredible.

Gary and Joan after the kickball date on 'The Golden Bachelorette'.ABC
Of course, I have to ask you about that Chippendale's date. Was it your idea to rip open your shirt?

[Laughs] Well, no, it wasn't my idea, but because everybody else was going through those motions of shirts coming off, and Jonathan pulled his pants off and he went first — I'm thinking, "Holy cow, I gotta do this." And I don't know if you saw or not, but I'm trying to unbutton my vest as I'm walking down the catwalk there. Then finally just throwing myself out there like that.... [Laughs] I'm laughing at myself because I watched it, I thought, "Well, you are a big boy."

Gary bares it all on 'The Golden Bachelorette'.ABC
How do you think being on the show will your approach to dating in the real world?

I think what it's done for me in terms of change, my perspective on dating is being more confident with myself, knowing that I'm a good guy. We don't pat ourselves on the back enough — not with conceit or with an attitude of ego; that's what you want to avoid. I'm a very humble guy. I'm a very private person, but what [the show] has allowed me to do is really say, "It's going to be okay and it's closer than you think. So keep going."

Have any ladies reached out to you hoping to set up a date?

[Laughs] There have been quite a few, and it's like — I just send a rose [emoji]. I'm not responding other than, let me send a rose and be a nice guy so they can at least see that I've acknowledged the nice things they've said.

So you're not looking to meet up with somebody who slides into your DMs?

Well, yeah, not yet. I'm still getting used to this new world that I'm now part of, which is the Golden Bachelorette men.

What do you think your godmother, the wonderful Tina Turner, would've said if you had been able to tell her that you were going to be on The Golden Bachelorette?

I think she would've laughed. I think she would've been very happy, and I think she would've been very proud of what I've shown the world. But I think she would've laughed initially like, "You've got to be kidding. Are you really going to do that?" But I think she would've supported me 110 percent and said, "Have fun along the way." I know she's looking down from Heaven saying, "Job well done. Job well done."

We still have a way to go in the season, but based on what you've seen, who are the guys that you think have the best connection with Joan?

From what I've seen, Chock probably has the best emotional connection with Joan. Yeah, I would pick Chock. There may be a dark horse in Dr. Guy.

Gary Levingston with Joan Vassos on 'The Golden Bachelorette'.ABC
When all the Golden Bachelorette guys can get together again, what kind of trip do you want to do for the first reunion?

It doesn't really matter what we do because if we're together, it's going to be special and it will be so much fun reliving what we just experienced. From Charles Ling, who was my roommate, to Mark — I mean, we could on and on about the relationships that the guys built. And hopefully we'll pull Joan in as well because, she was the nucleus of it all.

Joan's goodbyes with you and all of the guys were so heartfelt — it seems like everyone wants to remain friends.

It was a very heartfelt departure, and I tried to stay as positive as I could, but there were so many things floating in my mind of what could have been. Then it was about coming to grips with what is, and the what is — it's all good. Just because you didn't make it to the end doesn't mean that it's over.

The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.