Executive Summary: Gerry Turner, the star of ‘The Golden Bachelor,’ secretly dated another contestant from the show, Christina Kempton, after his divorce from Theresa Nist. This revelation emerged during a podcast episode, highlighting ongoing personal developments among the show’s alumni.
Who: The key individuals involved are Gerry Turner (73-year-old star of ‘The Golden Bachelor’), Theresa Nist (his ex-wife), Christina Kempton (a former contestant on the show), and podcast hosts Susan Noles and Kathy Swarts. Turner and Nist were married briefly after meeting on the reality TV series, while Kempton was eliminated early in the competition.
What: The news story reveals that Turner engaged in a secret romantic relationship with Kempton following his divorce from Nist. This was disclosed during an episode of the ‘Bachelor Happy Hour’ podcast, where Noles and Swarts discussed Turner’s dating history with Nist, who confirmed the relationship and even claimed to have suggested it.
When: The relationship between Turner and Kempton occurred after Turner’s divorce from Nist in April 2024, with the dating period lasting approximately six months. The revelation happened on the podcast episode aired on August 20, 2025, and was reported in news articles on August 21, 2025.
Where: The disclosure took place on the ‘Bachelor Happy Hour’ podcast, a platform frequented by ‘Bachelor’ franchise alumni. The news gained traction through media outlets like the New York Post, based on the podcast discussion.
Why: The relationship seems to have stemmed from Turner’s search for companionship post-divorce, with Nist allegedly encouraging the connection. It also touches on broader themes of how reality TV relationships evolve off-screen and the personal challenges faced by participants, including health issues and geographic constraints that contributed to the original divorce.
How: The information came to light during a candid conversation on the podcast, where hosts Noles and Swarts directly asked Nist about Turner’s post-divorce dating life. Nist confirmed the relationship with Kempton and provided details, which were then picked up by news media. Turner’s representatives were contacted for comment but did not immediately respond.
Impact: This revelation has sparked discussion among fans of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ about the authenticity and aftermath of reality TV romances. It also addresses misconceptions about the divorce, such as rumors linking it to Turner’s cancer diagnosis, which Nist has denied. The story humanizes the participants, showing their ongoing personal journeys and mutual respect despite past relationships.
What’s Next: Turner is currently dating another woman named Lana, as reported by TMZ, indicating he has moved on. Nist is also dating someone new and has expressed no hard feelings towards Turner. The situation underscores the enduring public interest in ‘Bachelor’ alumni and suggests that more personal updates may emerge through podcasts and social media, keeping the franchise relevant beyond its air dates.