The Golden Bachelorette: Signs Mark Anderson Is In A Committed Relationship (It Would Mean He Can’t Be The Golden Bachelor)

After being eliminated from The Golden Bachelorette, Mark Anderson may already be in a committed relationship, which would mean he’s not eligible to be The Golden Bachelor. This would come as very disappointing news to many Bachelor Nation fans. They’ve been clamoring for 58-year-old Mark to be The Bachelor spin-off’s next male lead since he made his television debut during The Bachelor season 28. When Mark’s daughter, 25-year-old Kelsey Anderson, took her boyfriend, 28-year-old Joey Graziadei, home during her hometown date, fans fell in love with the retired widower, and a star was born.

Mark was married to Denise Anderson for 18 happy years, and they had five children together before she passed away in 2018. He hadn’t dated much since his late wife died, but he jumped in, feet first, when he was cast in The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Hopes were high for the retired Army veteran, but 61-year-old Joan Vassos preferred the company of other men. Since leaving the show, Mark has been rumored to be dating a television actress. If the rumors are true, and Mark is already in a committed relationship, he can’t be The Golden Bachelor.

Mark’s Basically Bachelor Nation Royalty

Fan Favorite

Though he was only onscreen for a brief time, he left an out-sized impression. When he was announced as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, hopes were high he’d swoop in and win Joan’s heart. It didn’t work out that way. Instead of falling in love with Mark, Joan was far more interested in other men, like 60-year-old Chock Chapple and 66-year-old Guy Gansert. Once Joan eliminated Mark from the show, internet rumors ran rampant about Mark’s future with the franchise, and many expected him to be named The Golden Bachelor.

After appearing on The Golden Bachelorette, Mark’s star rose even higher. His social media following grew, and Mark now boasts 50.4K followers on Instagram. He also often appeared alongside his daughter, Kelsey, as she roots for Joey on Dancing With The Stars season 33. Inspired by his famous daughter, Mark has been growing his brand as a public figure. He was a natural choice to be The Golden Bachelor, and it was even speculated he was only cast in Joan’s season of The Golden Bachelorette to prepare him for The Golden Bachelor season 2 role.

Joan & Mark Had No Chemistry

“Something Missing”

Hopes were high when Mark joined the cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1. During the premiere night, Joan seemed genuinely excited about meeting him, but her excitement quickly fizzled. Maybe it was because Mark liked Joan so much, but whenever she was around, he’d get really quiet and disappear into the background. While he let his personality out when he was hanging out with the other men, he was almost solemn when Joan was around.

Though Joan and Mark weren’t connecting, she kept giving him roses and kept him around. It seemed like Joan wanted to like Mark. Eventually, Joan gave Mark a highly-coveted one-on-one date, and it was finally his chance to turn things around. She picked Mark up in a sports car, and they drove to the coast, where they boarded a luxury yacht. They set sail on what was supposed to be a romantic voyage, but it felt more like a shipwreck.

Joan and Mark sat in long periods of awkward silence, just staring out at the sea during the world’s worst date.

The only time they spoke was when they trauma bonded about their late spouses. Like Mark, Joan was a widower who had lost John Vassos, her husband of 32 years, in 2021. After the painfully awkward date, it was clear that Joan and Mark would not be leaving the show as a couple. The next day, Joan pulled Mark aside, told him there was “something missing” between them, and sent Mark home before that night’s rose ceremony.

Mark Was Spotted With A TV Actress

Prince Charming & Cinderella

Though Mark was devastated after Joan eliminated him from The Golden Bachelorette season 1, he seemed to bounce back quickly. He was recently photographed with Barbara Woods, a television actress known for One Tree Hill. In the Halloween photo, Barbara is in a Cinderella costume, and Mark is dressed as Prince Charming. Fans of ABC’s The Golden Bachelorette and One Tree Hill were excited about the potential match between Mark and Barbara. A couple’s costume is a sign of a serious relationship, which would make Mark ineligible to be The Golden Bachelor.

Kathy Swarts’ Big Reveal

Is The Cat Out Of The Bag?

Mark and Barbara haven’t addressed their relationship status, but that didn’t stop former The Golden Bachelor contestant Kathy Swarts from letting the cat out of the bag. Kathy recently posted a photo to Instagram of her and Mark smiling side by side, with a caption that reads, “He isn’t mine AND this is a fine guy who has found his happy.” Her statement about Mark finding “his happy” makes it sound like The Golden Bachelor season 1 star is in a relationship.

Since appearing briefly on
The Bachelor
season 28, then as a contestant on
The Golden Bachelorette,
Mark has seemed like the perfect choice to be
The Golden Bachelor.

The final few episodes of The Golden Bachelorette aired with ads asking women to apply to be contestants on The Golden Bachelor. With The Bachelor spin-off’s second season currently in production, many have speculated that Mark will soon be named the next male lead, but Kathy’s big reveal may change everything. If the single father of five had already found love, Mark shouldn’t be The Golden Bachelor.

The Golden Bachelorette

season 1 can be streamed on Hulu.

Sources: Mark Anderson/Instagram, Barbara Woods/Instagram, Kathy Swarts/Instagram