Leslie Fhima's run on "The Golden Bachelor" ends with heartbreak
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ABC's "The Golden Bachelor" stars Leslie Fhima. Photo: ABC/Ricky Middlesworth
"The Golden Bachelor" finalist and Minneapolis native Leslie Fhima has ended her search for love.
What's happening: Fhima, a 64-year-old fitness instructor, was one of 72-year-old Gerry Turner's final two picks on the popular reality dating show that exclusively features older singles.
- But Turner gave Theresa Nist, a 70-year-old financial services professional from New Jersey, his final rose on the Nov. 30 season finale, with the two getting engaged by the end of the episode.
What he's saying: "You're not the right person for me to live with. You're the person that I can't live without," Turner told Nist before proposing.
The other side: Turner's words during their prior dates "gave me 100 percent certainty that I was your girl," Fhima told him on stage after the finale.
- "Your words just meant so much to me, and that's why I was blindsided. Because I wasn't sure how it changed or what happened," she said.
- "You're both wonderful, but only one of you is right," Turner replied.
Flashback: Fhima, whose introduction involved meeting Turner with a walker, gray wig, and nightgown before throwing both aside in favor of a short, strapless dress, quickly became a favorite of audiences — and of the bachelor.
- She brought Turner to Minneapolis on the Nov. 2 hometowns episode, where the two visited Fhima's family and local landmarks like the Stone Arch Bridge.
Yes, but: As #BachelorNation fans know, anything can happen in the season finale.
- And despite Turner expressing his love for Fhima after the fantasy suite dates, reality insiders correctly predicted Nist would receive the final rose.
What we're watching: Runner ups on "The Bachelor" often go on to become the next Bachelorette — and while ABC hasn't confirmed a "Golden Bachelorette" series, the popularity of the show likely hasn't ruled out another spinoff.
- The network broadcast a casting call for the next season during Thursday's finale.
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional details throughout on Nov. 30.