The Golden Bachelorette contestant Pascal Ibgui is speaking out about how the producers interfered in his relationship with Joan, which is why he was so angry and telling them to turn off the cameras. Pascal and Joan began their Fantasy Suite date with a bonding ceremony in Tahiti, which led to him realizing that he wasn't in love with Joan. Pascal's walls were up because of a difficult breakup the year before, so he self-eliminated from The Golden Bachelorette season 1, leaving Joan feeling like a failure and hopeless after he told her that he wasn't in love with her.
Pascal revealed that the producers tried to interfere with his breakup by telling him what to say to Joan.
In an interview with Glamour, Pascal was asked if he wished that he had said anything differently to Joan as he told her goodbye. He responded, "I said it in a very nice and polite way. I told her, 'Look, Joan, I’m not where I need to be for you. It’s hard for me to continue that journey and go any farther with you.'"
However, then Pascal revealed that the producers tried to interfere with his breakup by telling him what to say to Joan. He shared, "The producer [explained I should be clearer that I wasn’t in love with her], but I was [hesitant] to use that word."
Pascal then explained that he didn't mean to hurt Joan. He said, "When I saw the show, I saw she was hurt by that because she said [to the cameras], 'I’m maybe not worthy to be loved.' That was not my intention. My intention was to tell her that I’m not where she need me to be, and I don’t think if I could get there. I’m sorry if I misled her or misinterpret myself, but I told her from the beginning that I was guarded and it was going to take me time to bring down my wall."
Pascal also explained that this was the reason that he wanted the cameras turned off as he and Joan were breaking up. He said, "That’s why I told the camera to get away from me. I was very angry. I know the words 'not in love is very hurtful.' I would rather try to be very diplomatic. Unfortunately, she got hurt. I got hurt because emotionally that was very difficult for me, too."
I said it in a very nice and polite way. I told her, "Look, Joan, I’m not where I need to be for you. It’s hard for me to continue that journey and go any farther with you." The producer [explained I should be clearer that I wasn’t in love with her], but I was [hesitant] to use that word.
When I saw the show, I saw she was hurt by that because she said [to the cameras], "I’m maybe not worthy to be loved." That was not my intention. My intention was to tell her that I’m not where she need me to be, and I don’t think if I could get there. I’m sorry if I misled her or misinterpret myself, but I told her from the beginning that I was guarded and it was going to take me time to bring down my wall.
That’s why I told the camera to get away from me. I was very angry. I know the words "not in love" is very hurtful. I would rather try to be very diplomatic. Unfortunately, she got hurt. I got hurt because emotionally that was very difficult for me, too.
What Pascal’s Accusation Means For The Golden Bachelorette
Producer Interference Has Been A Problem With The Bachelor Franchise For Years
It's disturbing, but not surprising, that the Golden Bachelorette producers interfered with what Pascal said to Joan during their breakup. The producers shouldn't be telling anyone on the show what to say. However, production has been manipulating the Bachelor franchise shows for years, from adding producer plant contestants to their casts to creating situations that cause drama among the contestants.
During their dinner before the Fantasy Suite, Pascal really did tell Joan that he wasn't in love with her, which shows that he did take the producer's advice. He told her that he cared about her as a friend, but he wasn't in love. It appears from his new comments that he immediately regretted it. Pascal's revelation that he said something that he didn't really want to say now calls into question if the other men, or even Joan, were doing the same thing.
What Pascal's Accusation Means For The Golden Bachelor Season 2
Pascal's Attitude Might Be Too Much For Producers
Pascal calling out the producers of the Bachelor franchise might ensure he never gets cast in any future spin-off, including The Golden Bachelor season 2 or a potential Golden Bachelor In Paradise. In recent days, he's been actively campaigning for the lead Golden Bachelor role via his Instagram Stories, in which he's shared photos and messages from fans who want him to be cast next time. Unfortunately for Pascal, he just might have too much working against him to be seriously considered.
Aside from slamming the producers, Pascal has numerous other red flags. He called eventual winner Chock Chapple a "stalker," which seemed at odds with the general friendly camaraderie that was built up among the Golden Bachelorette men throughout the season. He also bragged about being the star of the show after quitting The Golden Bachelorette. It doesn't seem like he has the right attitude that producers should be looking for when casting the next Golden Bachelor lead.
Having said that, Pascal is willing to make small changes here and there if he feels it's necessary. He did end up apologizing for calling Chock a stalker because he wanted to take responsibility for the hurtful words he spewed during an unfortunate unfiltered moment. Also, in a recent Instagram post, he shared a video in which he talked about wanting to learn to cook, which is obviously a great skill to have, especially if he's looking to date again in the future.
After The Golden Bachelorette ended, Pascal mentioned how grateful he was for the opportunity to find love on TV. While he ultimately decided to quit the show because he realized he wasn't falling in love with Joan, he still found it to be a valuable experience that he will never forget. At the end of the day, this is just a matter of whether the Golden Bachelor producers are willing to overlook Pascal's red flags and his inability to filter himself; if that's possible, he could make for great TV.
Our Take On The Golden Bachelorette Producer Interference
The Bachelor Franchise Producers Need To Back Off
It's infuriating to hear that the Golden Bachelorette producers manipulated Pascal into saying something that he didn't want to say. It's interesting to think about how Pascal, a 69-year-old father, grandfather, and established businessman, could be forced into doing something that he didn't want to do. His anger was evident when he told the cameraman to go away, so he probably deeply regretted saying those words to Joan when he really didn't want to.
Pascal's confession about his breakup with Joan is just another example of why fans no longer trust the Bachelor franchise. While the entire show isn't scripted, it does appear that the producers manipulate conversations and situations to create more drama. Hopefully, Joan will hear what Pascal said, so that she knows the truth. Both Pascal and Joan deserved more from the Golden Bachelorette producers.
The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
