The Bachelorbecame a family affair for Kelsey Anderson when her father, Mark Anderson, went on to appear in a franchise show himself. 58-year-old Mark made his television debut when Kelsey took her boyfriend, Joey Graziadei, home to Louisiana for hometown visits. The show’s fans instantly fell in love with the widowed army veteran, particularly after he talked about his enduring love for his late wife. There was immediate speculation that Mark could be the next Golden Bachelor, but he was announced as a contestant onThe Golden Bacheloretteinstead.
Though fans expected Mark to winThe Golden Bachelorette’s heart, he and Joan Vassos lacked chemistry. They tried to spark a flame, but it wasn’t working, and Joan sent Mark home before hometown dates. Mark was down, but not for long. He wassoon rumored to be dating a television actress, and the couple has been going strong ever since. Kelsey finally responded to rumors of the relationship, andThe Bachelorseason 28star confirmed some of the rumors.
Mark Hadn’t Dated Since Denise’s Death
He Was No Stranger To True Love
Long before appearing onThe Bachelorseason 28 andThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1,Mark was a widowed father of four living a life of relative obscurityin Leesville, Louisiana. He was married to Denise Anderson for 18 years, until she was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, and passed away two months later. Like Mark, Denise was also an Army veteran. The couple met while they were both serving in the military overseas. Mark was deeply devoted to his late wife and was shocked to suddenly find himself single again.
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Mark’s enduring love for his late wife was on display duringThe Bachelorseason 28, when he gifted Kelsey and Joey a photo album of pictures of him and his late wife. He wanted to share a glimpse into his love life, and it was a beautiful moment thatillustrated Mark still being deeply in love with his late spouse. It didn’t seem like he was ready to find love again. According to both Mark and Kelsey, he hadn’t dated much since his wife died, so going onThe Golden Bachelorettewas a big step.
What Happened Between Mark & Joan?
“Something Missing”
Despite high expectations,Joan and Mark lacked chemistryonThe Golden Bachelorette. ThoughJoan initially seemed excited about the opportunity to date Mark, she was more attracted to the other men. When Mark finally received one of Joan’s solo dates, they spent the entire time in awkward silence.Joan pulled Mark aside the next day, told him there was “something missing” between them, and eliminated him before the rose ceremony.
Mark’s New Relationship
Prince Charming & Cinderella
Though Mark was devastated when Joan sent him home fromThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, he bounced back quickly. Markwas recentlyout with Barbara Alyn Woods, an actress best known for her work onOne Tree Hill. During Halloween,Barbaraposted an Instagram photo that got a lot of attention. In the photo,Barbara is dressed as Cinderella and Mark as Prince Charming. Barbara’s caption reads, “When Cinderella and Prince Charming have a baby…” This was about her daughter, Natalie Alyn Lind, who is also in the photo, dressed as aStar Warscharacter.
“I was like, ‘Dad, is she Cinderella and you’re Prince Charming? There’s definitely more than friends.'”
Mark and Barbara managed to stay quiet about their relationship status but during the holidays,Kelseyrecently posted an Anderson family holiday photo that seemed to confirm her father’s relationship. In the photos, Mark, his children, and their significant others gather on a stairway in matching pajamas, andBarbara is there with the Anderson family.It was hard not to read this as validation that Mark and Barbara are a couple.
Kelsey Addressed The Relationship
The Rumors Were True
In an exclusive interview withE! News,Kelseyconfirmed her father and Barbara were in a serious relationship. “I feel like they love each other,” Kelsey went as far as to say. She even addressedMark’s now-famous Halloween photo. According to Kelsey, Mark told her he was hanging out with his friend on Halloween. When Kelsey saw they were dressed as Prince Charming and Cinderella, “I was like, ‘Dad, is she Cinderella and you’re Prince Charming? There’s definitely more than friends.'”
When Joan eliminated him, Mark expressed gratitude for the opportunity, because it helped show him that it was time to open his heart again.
During the interview, Kelsey talked abouthow happy she was that her father had found someone. She went on to say how much she liked Barbara and appreciated her trying to get close to Mark’s children. It’s great that Kelsey is happy for her father. She was very close to her mother, despite how odd it must be to see her father with someone new. Since she saw her father kiss Joan on national television, it wasn’t entirely new to her.
Mark Can’t Be The Golden Bachelor
He’s No Longer On The Market
Later episodes ofThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 featured ads inviting women to apply forThe Golden Bachelorseason 2, but the identity of the show’s lead remains unclear. Since appearing inThe Bachelor28, Mark has been a fan favorite, but being in a relationship means he can’t be aBachelorlead. When Joan eliminated him, Mark expressed gratitude for the opportunity because it helped show him that it was time to open his heart again. If he had already found true love with Barbara, he got what he needed from the show.
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