Viewers were introduced to a number of unique contestants on The Golden Bachelorette, but Charles Ling swiftly gained popularity. The 66-year-old financial analyst retiree from Philadelphia stood out from the others on the show with his charm, humor, and kind heart. Though he didn’t make it to the very end of Joan Vassos’s season, getting eliminated in the fourth week, his lively spirit and humor made him a standout contestant that viewers couldn’t help but root for.
Here are three reasons why Charles Ling, rather than his more reserved and potentially “producer-planted” competitor Mark Anderson, is a much better Golden Bachelorette.
1. Charles Ling, the heartthrob of Bachelor Nation
Charles Ling charmed audiences with his warm, sincere enthusiasm from his very first appearance on The Golden Bachelorette. Being a father to two children, he has seen the highs and lows of life and love. His honest nature was evident while he was on the show.
It wasn’t an easy road for Ling to be a part of The Golden Bachelorette. He has had to deal with the challenging process of grieving and rebuilding his life since his wife passed away from an unexpected brain aneurysm six years ago, according to E News. After 36 years of being in love with the same person, he wasn’t ready to have to start dating again.
Charles Ling chose to give dating another go despite the difficulties, and he went into The Golden Bachelorette with an open heart. Ling was brave enough to share his story honestly and gracefully, and this won him many fans. He decided to accept his journey rather than allow his past to define him, and it was this candor that won Bachelor Nation over.
He stood out from the other competitors with his compassionate, caring nature. He proved to the audience that he was on the show for all the right reasons. Ling was notable because, unlike some reality TV stars, he didn’t try to be too theatrical or flashy. Ling was just himself.
2. Charles Ling is ready to embrace love again after heartbreak
Charles Ling’s straightforward approach to relationships and love was one of the factors that made him so accessible. It appears natural that Ling was reluctant to date again after losing his wife. But on The Golden Bachelorette, he showed he was ready to open his heart once more.
Ling was always serious and dedicated to the process of the show, even if he was eliminated before reaching the finale.
Mark Anderson’s appearance on the show, compared to Ling’s, however, came across as a little reserved. Anderson didn’t appear as keen to establish a strong connection when he joined The Golden Bachelorette, just after his daughter Kelsey Anderson fell in love on The Bachelor season 28.
Many viewers questioned whether his presence on the show was due to genuine intentions or if he was selected primarily because of his Bachelor Nation connection. Some even speculated that Mark Anderson might be a “producer plant,” added to the cast to generate more popularity because of his daughter’s fame. Anderson’s apparent lack of excitement was what distinguished him from Ling, who was prepared to enjoy dating to the fullest.
3. Charles Lings’ personality was the brightest in the show
Charles Ling found a nice balance between being outgoing and respectful in a competition where competitors frequently go too far sometimes to stand out. To get attention, he didn’t have to be extravagant. Rather, viewers were drawn to his warmth and inherent charm, and they valued his modesty. Ling showed viewers that he was a human being with imperfections, feelings, and goals by being open and vulnerable.
Charles Ling was eliminated from the show just one week before Mark Anderson, yet his departure felt completely different. He seemed to genuinely understand Joan Vassos’s reasons for letting him go, even though he felt hurt.
Could Charles Ling be the next Golden Bachelor?
Although there have been no announcements on The Golden Bachelor season 2 lead, many fans are hoping that Charles Ling will be selected. His open, friendly dating style fits Bachelor Nation’s ideal lead, and he has shown that he is eager for a new beginning.
The Golden Bachelor needs someone willing to take chances, communicate honestly, and interact with the audience and other contestants. Charles Ling is the ideal example of this since he is not only honest but also not afraid to express his feelings. He would be a perfect candidate for The Golden Bachelor because of his honest will to try to fall in love again.
While polite and soft-spoken, Mark Anderson seemed to hold back during his time on the show. He never quite opened up the way Ling did, which led some fans to feel that Anderson wasn’t as well-suited for the leading role.
Ling is someone who, despite his losses, sees the potential for new beginnings. Even if he doesn’t end up as the next The Golden Bachelor, his time on The Golden Bachelorette left a lasting impact on all his fans.
On Wednesdays at 8 p.m., The Golden Bachelorette airs on ABC.
