Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos Recalls Her DMs Being 'Inundated' with 'D--- Pics' and People with 'Foot Fetishes'

Mar. 15, 2025

Joan Vassos.Photo:Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Ever since she made her Bachelor Nation debut,Joan Vassoshas been turning heads — and her DMs have been getting rowdy.

The Golden Bachelorettestar, 61, got candid about the attention she’s received since starring on the inaugural season ofThe Golden Bachelor. She toldEntertainment Weeklythat she’s been “inundated” with message requests from men on social media.

“I had a hard time navigating that process. On a dating app, they’re kind of vetted and you can see a profile. [With DMs], they’re just total strangers messaging you," she said of the men who would reach out to her. “I didn’t really respond to those much. Or I would have little conversations and say, ‘Thank you, you’re so flattering,’ or whatever.”

Joan Vassos.Disney/Michael Le Brecht

Disney/Michael Le Brecht

Vassos went on to reveal that none of those connections “seemed to be anything that would really work out” and “some of the DMs were weird.”

“I got d— pics,” she explained. “And I got people with foot fetishes. They wanted me to send them pictures of my feet and would pay me for it. One person offered to buy all the shoes that I wore onGolden Bachelor. It was scary. My kids were like, ‘Give me your phone, mom. We’re blocking all this.'”

Joan Vassos on ‘The Golden Bachelor’.ABC/Craig Sjodin

ABC/Craig Sjodin

In May, ABC announced that Vassos would be namedThe Golden Bachelorette.When asked about the qualities she’s looking for in a suitor, the reality star revealed her non-negotiables in PEOPLE’s exclusive first look video in July.

“I’m very picky about a man being a gentleman,” she explained. “Somebody with a big heart, somebody who is generous and also somebody who’s humble.”

The school administrator also told her family, “I’m not here to replace Dad, I just want our family to be whole again. So, let’s cheers: cheers to a great adventure!”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Golden Bachelorettepremieres Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC

source: people.com