Former talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford is one name thrown around as Golden Bachelorette. She reveals why she won’t do the show. Keep reading for all the details.
Kathie Lee Gifford Reveals Why She Won’t Do Golden Bachelorette
Who will be the first Golden Bachelorette is a question that’s on everyone’s mind. ABC announced in February that the first-ever Golden Bachelorette will air this fall after the widely popular inaugural Golden Bachelor broke ratings records in 2023. Traditionally, the network would choose one of Gerry Turner’s contestants to lead the spinoff.
However, names beyond the franchise have come up in social media conversations, including soap star Susan Lucci and entrepreneur Martha Stewart. TODAY Show host Hoda Kotb nominated friend and former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford for the role.
According to Kathie Lee Gifford, Bachelor producers did reach out to her, but she turned them down. Why? Is she still mourning her late husband, Frank Gifford? He unexpectedly passed away in 2015. They had been married for nearly 30 years.
Kathie Lee actually told PEOPLE magazine in 2019 that she was finally ready to date again after her husband’s death. So, what’s holding her back from The Golden Bachelorette?
During a recent interview with Fox News, the former talk show host explained why she isn’t interested in dating on the popular reality TV show. “Here’s the thing,” she began. “You know what you get when you get in a hot tub? Diseases, diseases,” she continued. She went on to call the show “dumb.”
“And you know what happens when you start kissing on people that you have no idea where their lips have been? It’s just dumb. So, until you have a trust with someone … they don’t give you much time before they want you in the hot tub.” – Kathie Lee Gifford, Fox News
Her children have wildly different takes on the idea. She said that her son would say “a total yes” to her as The Golden Bachelorette. Her daughter, Cassidy, said it was a “hard no” for her.
New Amazon Prime Series With Daughter, Cassidy
The Fox News interview was a joint interview with Kathie Lee and Cassidy to promote their upcoming Amazon Prime video. After leaving TODAY in 2019, the former talk show host focused on her burgeoning acting career. Her daughter is also an actress.
Kathie Lee and Cassidy Gifford star alongside Touched By An Angel actress Roma Downey in the new Amazon Prime series The Baxters. However, the mother-daughter duo don’t share any scenes together.
According to Fox News, “The series tells the story of the Baxter family with a faith-based focus on their journeys through life.” The Baxters premieres on Amazon Prime Video on March 28.
Are you disappointed that Kathie Lee Gifford turned down Golden Bachelorette? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
