Before Gerry Turner looked for love on The Golden Bachelor, he tried online dating, but a strange catfishing incident put him off online dating forever. Keep reading for all the juicy details on the situation.
What Is Catfishing?
The term ‘catfishing’ was brought into the mainstream terminology by the popular MTV show Catfish, which debuted in 2012. The series was based on a film of the same name by Nev Schulman. Schulman serves as the host of the MTV show, which is in its 8th season.
The film and show were based on Shulman’s experience of meeting someone in person whom he’d been communicating with online only to discover they were completely different from the person they presented online. While his situation didn’t involve romantic feelings, the term is often used to describe someone who lures another online user into a relationship with a fake image or profile.
The MTV show connects people with the suspected catfish.
Gerry Turner Reveals Strange Online Dating Catfishing Incident
Gerry Turner was married to his high school sweetheart, Toni, for 43 years before she unexpectedly passed away in 2017. In early 2023, he was announced as the lead for the first-ever Golden Bachelor.
The reality show would pair him with 22 women who could potentially be his next wife. The season began airing in September, and he’s down to the final two women. Will he choose Theresa Nist or Leslie Fhima? Bachelor Nation fans will find out on the season finale airing in two weeks.
Between the time of his wife’s passing and the ABC show, Gerry Turner waded into the online dating pool. During a recent profile in Esquire, Gerry Turner shared the story of what turned him off dating online.
Turner set a 60/60 rule for online dating, meaning they had to be 60 years or older and live within 60 miles. However, one “persistent” online admirer lived 90 miles away, and Turner broke the rules for her.
However, after driving the distance and arriving at the woman’s home, he realized something was off. “She looked significantly different that [sic] her profile photo,” he told the journalist. When he asked her about it, she basically admitted to catfishing the eventual reality star.
“She said, “Oh yeah, that’s my sister’s picture. She’s six years younger.’” Ever the gentleman, Gerry Turner still bought dinner but said there wasn’t a second date.
Recalls Dating Mistakes Before Golden Bachelor
Catfishing incident aside, Gerry Turner revealed he didn’t have much luck dating in general after his wife’s death. He copped to making “a whole bunch of mistakes.”
The retiree said that the topic would turn to changing his will after just a few dates.
What do you think of Gerry Turner’s unlucky dating history? Will he finally find love on The Golden Bachelor?
The season finale starts at 8 PM Eastern on ABC on Thursday, November 30. Don’t miss it!
