Golden hen party star Joan Vassos addressed contestant Guy Gansert's past after reports emerged that his ex-wife had filed a temporary restraining order against him in 2021.
The reality star, 61, opened up about the doctor, 66, on Wednesday's episode of The Viall files podcast, where he said that the Golden the franchise is “unique” because participants “come here with a lot of background.”
“We've lived a lot of life and it doesn't totally surprise me that there are things that maybe they won't be proud of later,” Vassos said in response to host Nick Viall's question about Gansert, who is still competing for Vassos' heart in the ABC reality series.
Vassos added that he had “never seen” that side of Gansert or any of the other contestants on his season.
“My interactions with all the guys were pure and adorable, and I would never have any indication that there was any kind of past that he had,” Vassos shared. “I had no idea what the interactions were with his ex-wife at the time. He was so kind to me, so open and so vulnerable.”
Vassos went on to say that Gansert “cried” and spoke to her about “finally feeling happy for the first time in many years.” He added that he never would have thought in a “million years” that Gansert had an alleged history of domestic disputes.
“I still believe he is a kind, good person,” Vassos said. «You know, maybe he made a mistake. I do not know. I don't know anything about it [it] different than what you guys know.”
Gansert's ex-wife, Heidi O'Gara, filed a temporary protective order against him in Reno, Nevada, three years ago. People reported in early October. She rejected the request, in which she required Gansert to only contact her via email about their children, in November 2021 before it was granted.
In the filing, O'Gara said Gansert “physically attempted to threaten her” and sent her text messages “trying to reconcile” before “becoming angry,” according to. People. She alleged that on the day she filed the order, Gansert allegedly placed an object under her tire and “signed me as if he was going to shoot me with his gun hand” after meeting her at the gym.
Gansert addressed reports about his past in a statement posted to Instagram on Oct. 10, saying he will “always continue to work to better himself.”
“This was an unfortunate situation that occurred during an incredibly stressful time for my ex-wife and I and was ultimately resolved when she voluntarily [sic] rejected his request for a protective order,” he wrote on the social media platform. “Together we worked out a resolution that was agreeable to both parties.”
“The last few years have led me to conduct a deep personal evaluation and I will always continue to work to improve myself,” he continued. “I'm so grateful The golden hen party and Bachelor Nation, as well as my family, who have been incredibly supportive of me during the most difficult times of my life. I am eternally grateful for them.”
O'Gara also addressed the issue in a statement addressed to Peoplesaying that she and Guy “share four amazing children and a new grandchild.”
“Although our divorce was very difficult, to protect our family's privacy and move forward, we have reached a mutual resolution and have chosen not to comment on it publicly,” O'Hara said.
ABC has yet to publicly comment on Gansert's background.
Gansert is just one of many Bachelor Nation men, who, as has been revealed in recent months, have had restraining orders against them. Company Golden hen party Contestant Gil Ramirez had a temporary domestic violence restraining order against him in June by an ex-girlfriend over stalking allegations. And, in September, the winner of the latest season came to light The hen partyDevin Strader, was arrested and had a restraining order against him by an ex-girlfriend several years before his appearance on the reality dating show.