The Golden Bachelor alum Kathy Swarts has dodged questions about her apparent falling out with April Kirkwood, both of whom had been part of the ASKN ladies group on Gerry Turner’s season.
The Golden Bachelor’s ASKN ladies — April, Kathy, Nancy Hulkower, Susan Noles – apparently had a falling out after filming their cameo on Joey Graziadei’s The Bachelor season.
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April, Susan, Kathy and Nancy made an appearance on The Bachelor’s February 5 episode to serve as judges of the “Mrs. Right” pageant during one of Joey’s group dates with about half a dozen of his bachelorettes.
The Golden Bachelor ladies filmed this group date in Fall 2023, and they’re apparently no longer friends. In fact, Susan, Kathy and Nancy all unfollowed April on social media.
“We were a group of fearless women who took this on, but I think the fact remains — we’re all women,” Kathy, 70, said during the Thursday, February 8 episode of the “Almost Famous” podcast.
“As time goes on, you get to know people better, and I think that’s just a natural part of life. But I can honestly say, I am friends with everybody on the show.”
Kathy — who memorably stirred up some drama on The Golden Bachelor with Gerry’s eventual winner Theresa Nist — continued, “If there’s somebody particular that you’re asking me about, I just think that natural selection takes over.”
Kathy revealed Susan and Nancy are currently her best friends from the show, and she added, “A few of us are getting together in a few weeks in D.C. and Philly, and we’re going to have a great time.”
And Kathy pointed out how she, Susan and Nancy just returned from a girls’ trip to St. Maarten in January, which April was supposed to be a part of.
“Nancy, Susan and I just got back from St. Maarten and had a great time,” Kathy said. “I might say we did not leave that island in one piece, but we had a great time.”
She added, “So I think, like any other season, when you have a bunch of women who are trying to date one man, things happen and people aren’t necessarily themselves. That’s life, it goes on.”
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Kathy said while opportunities she’s received from the show may create jealousy amongst the other women, she’s very happy for other ladies who are offered special opportunities as well. Kathy noted how she can be excited but empathetic simultaneously.
“I walk away with my head held high knowing that I’m a good person and I’m a nice person. [A bad edit] is just part of the show. It’s what you sign up for!” Kathy noted.
April took to Instagram with a lengthy explanation for her absence from the St. Maarten trip last month and revealed that she’s been receiving backlash for her separation from the ASKN group.
“For all of the folks from Texas and PA that are daunting me about why I am not going to St. Martin. Although it is none of your business and there are only three people who knew I cancelled but karma never sleeps,” April began in a video.
April went on to share several “reasons” why she wasn’t able to go on the vacation with Gerry Turner’s other exes.
“1. I have a job and I can’t keep taking off. 2. My roof had a major leak and I had to pay $4,500.00 so I can’t afford to go. 3. My dogs are freaking out,” April explained.
“4. My son’s birthday is this week and he doesn’t need to see me on a beach at this time in our relationship. 5. I have to go to NY to see my granddaughter and celebrate her 3rd birthday in three weeks so I will be off then.”
For No. 6, April wrote, “I’m an adult and I have to make decisions that are best for my first love… not partying but my kids and keeping my house.”
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April then appeared to take a jab at her former girlfriends.
“Only three people knew I cancelled and I offered to pay for any fees I might have cost them. So whoever sent you, please respect me and don’t follow me for their dark dealings,” April wrote.
April was seemingly hinting that fans of the other women have been trolling her and sending hate her way.
“This is adult bullying and it is a low, dense energy. This is a poor example of what adult females should act like,” April vented.
“I seriously feel like I’m on The Golden Bachelor part two and I’m the new Teresa [SIC] being targeted. Shame on you.”
Since Kathy had a big issue with Theresa on The Golden Bachelor, April may have been singling out Kathy and may only have a problem with her.
When one follower commented that Kathy is “a bully, envious, no filter classless tyrant,” April actually replied with a heart emoji.
April also touched upon how the three ladies had blocked her on Instagram.
“I’ve been very sad when they blocked me, so my social media helper did it back,” she wrote in the comments.
“All middle school and beneath what I want to represent to young women. It never had to go this way.”
None of the ladies made Gerry’s Final 3 bachelorettes on The Golden Bachelor, which wrapped late last year.
Gerry got engaged to Theresa during the show’s finale, dumping Leslie Fhima in second place and Faith Martin in third place.
Gerry and Theresa’s engagement aired on The Golden Bachelor finale in late November, and host Jesse Palmer announced on After the Final Rose how the couple would be getting married live on television for all of their fans to watch.
Gerry and Theresa then tied the knot in Palm Springs, CA, for The Golden Wedding special, which aired January 4 on ABC.
Susan served as the officiant of Gerry and Theresa’s wedding.
RELATED LINK: ‘THE BACHELOR’ FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
Click here to learn more about Joey’s The Bachelor bachelorettes or click here to read spoilers that reveal how Joey’s season ends and who he picked as his winner.
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About The Author:
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.