Bachelor Happy Hour – “Cheryl’s Time to Be a Princess!”
Date: September 26, 2025
Hosts: Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt
Guest: Cheryl V. (Golden Bachelor contestant, first one-on-one date recipient)
Overview
This episode dives into Cheryl V.’s unique and heartwarming journey on the newest season of The Golden Bachelor. Joe and Serena, newlywed hosts familiar to Bachelor Nation, invite Cheryl to candidly discuss her experience joining the show later in life, the famous motorcycle entrance, making friends in the mansion, and getting swept away on a princess-worthy one-on-one date. Cheryl also opens up about her background, her family, her past with motorcycle racing, and the emotional highs and lows of competing for love on national TV.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Cheryl's Nerves and The Motorcycle Entrance
- Cheryl admits she was more nervous approaching Mel (the Golden Bachelor lead) than riding in on a motorcycle.
Quote:“I was not nervous on the motorcycle…But…once I got off the motorcycle. Yes. The handsome man, charming, handsome, masculine. Yes. I was very nervous.” – Cheryl (03:28)
- Mel is absolutely her type—masculine, charming, funny, and sweet.
Quote:“He’s beautiful. He’s a beautiful man. What can I say?” – Cheryl (04:00)
Cheryl’s Hometown and Upbringing
- Cheryl grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, near Denver and the mountains, describing an outdoorsy, nature-filled childhood.
- The unique setting gave her “nature” and “freedom” she treasures.
How Cheryl Landed on The Golden Bachelor
- Cheryl’s niece secretly nominated her after a family dinner, submitting photos and applying on her behalf.
Quote:“Twenty minutes later…she says, Auntie, I just nominated you for the Golden Bachelor. I said, oh my gosh.” – Cheryl (06:18)
- She received a callback two or three days later, much to her and her 93-year-old mother’s surprise (06:53).
Cheryl is a Longtime Bachelor Fan
- She’s watched every season since the beginning—Trista’s season stands out as a favorite.
Cheryl’s Background & Family
- Cheryl worked full-time for the US Treasury and is now retired. She’s currently a caretaker for her elderly mother (08:50).
- Close-knit family: “They’re my best friends and we all take care of each other.” (08:38)
Cheryl’s Motocross Racing Life
- Cheryl started racing motocross at 32, inspired by her niece.
Quote:“Most people say, I started that when I was 6…I started at 32, guys!” – Cheryl (10:53)
- Earned over 50 trophies, still rides, and prefers glamping (over camping) due to Colorado's many bears (11:53).
- Motocross helped her handle stress and build focus.
Quote:“It just helped me focus on me. And it felt so good. We’re like a family when we raced…” – Cheryl (11:11)
First Night in the Bachelor Mansion
- Entered the mansion in motocross boots, quickly swapped for heels, and felt “in awe” of the beauty and warmth among the women.
Quote:“I felt the warmth of the mansion…these are my sisters. They’re gonna travel through that journey with me.” – Cheryl (13:55)
Making Connections & The Competition
- Cheryl bonded easily with many women, calling them all “powerhouses.”
- Her first conversation with Mel brought butterflies; his NFL background reminded her of her first husband, another large, sweet man.
- Regarding not getting the First Impression Rose: She was happy for the winner (“Joy,” aka Jerry) and understood Mel’s need to meet everyone (20:36).
- She acknowledged the “odd” dynamic of befriending women while competing for the same man:
Quote:“It is different. You know, it’s like, I wish you could just have, you know, 23 wives.” – Cheryl (21:22)
The One-on-One Date: Cheryl’s Princess Moment
- Cheryl was thrilled to receive the first one-on-one date, describing gratitude and disbelief (22:28).
- She experienced a “movie makeover montage,” trying on dresses and jewelry with fellow contestants as her “hype squad.”
Quote:
“I just felt like I was a princess. I was in a storybook, and this couldn’t be happening to me. So grateful.” – Cheryl (24:43)
Emotional Vulnerability and Opening Up to Mel
- Cheryl shared a deeply personal and traumatic story about her past on the date but chose not to elaborate on air, instead highlighting growth and forgiveness (25:17).
- She praised Mel as an excellent listener, making her feel comfortable and heard:
Quote:“He really felt my emotions…And I felt comforted. I was comfortable.” – Cheryl (25:46)
Navigating Group Dynamics and Pool Party Drama
- After the one-on-one, it was tough returning to a group setting; Cheryl compared the women vying for Mel’s attention at the pool party to “sharks” (27:37).
- She didn’t mind Mel kissing other women at this stage (“we all like to kiss,” 33:34) and wished she’d “snuck more kisses.”
Facing Elimination Round
- Attending the rose ceremony was hard; she was sad to see new friends go, expressing genuine surprise at who was eliminated (34:46).
Cheryl’s Dating Life Before the Show
- Cheryl described her life as a caretaker with little time to date seriously.
- Her son is supportive and excited to see her on TV (36:25).
Looking Ahead
- Cheryl is open to relocating for love if things work with Mel, including potentially moving to LA, though family responsibilities are significant (36:55).
- She’s a bit nervous but mostly excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds:
Quote:“It’s a wild ride.” – Cheryl (38:09)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- 03:28 Cheryl, on her nerves: “I was not nervous on the motorcycle. But…once I got off the motorcycle. Yes. The handsome man, charming, handsome, masculine. Yes. I was very nervous.”
- 04:00 On Mel: “He’s beautiful. He’s a beautiful man. What can I say?”
- 06:18 On her niece nominating her: “I just nominated you for the Golden Bachelor. I said, oh my gosh.”
- 08:38 On family: “They’re my best friends and we all take care of each other.”
- 10:53 On racing: “Most people say, I started that when I was 6…I started at 32, guys!”
- 13:55 On her first night: “I felt the warmth of the mansion…these are my sisters. They’re gonna travel through that journey with me.”
- 21:22 On befriending the competition: “It’s odd. It is different. You know, it’s like, I wish you could just have, you know, 23 wives.”
- 24:43 On her one-on-one: “I just felt like I was a princess. I was in a storybook, and this couldn’t be happening to me. So grateful.”
- 25:46 On opening up: “He really felt my emotions…And I felt comforted. I was comfortable.”
- 27:37 On the pool party: “The girls were moving in like sharks. I’ll be honest with you.”
- 38:09 Teasing the rest of the season: “Wait and see. It’s a wild ride.”
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 03:05 – Cheryl’s nerves and motorcycle entrance
- 04:24 – Cheryl’s Colorado roots and nature-filled life
- 05:57 – How Cheryl was (secretly) nominated for the show
- 07:28 – Favorite Bachelor seasons and family excitement
- 08:54 – Career, retirement, and being a caretaker
- 09:40 – Cheryl’s motocross racing history
- 13:55 – First night in the mansion and meeting the women
- 19:26 – Bonding with contestants and first talks with Mel
- 22:28 – Getting the first one-on-one date
- 23:31 – Makeover montage: dresses and feeling like a princess
- 24:54 – Sharing personal trauma and discussing vulnerability
- 27:37 – Pool party recap: group dynamics and Mel’s attention
- 34:46 – Rose ceremony reflections
- 35:49 – Cheryl’s pre-show dating life and family support
- 36:55 – Willingness to move for love and anticipation for the season
- 38:09 – Cheryl’s teaser for the rest of the season
Final Thoughts
Cheryl radiates gratitude, adventure, and warmth, bringing a genuine, down-to-earth perspective to Bachelor Nation. Her journey is marked by resilience, humor, and an openness to new experiences—even in her 60s. The episode highlights not only the romantic aspect of her time on The Golden Bachelor but also the power of friendship, family, and self-discovery that reality TV—at its best—can provide.
Cheryl’s sign off:
“I want to say thank you, Joe and Serena, everybody here. Bachelor Nation. I love you all. Thank you for watching. We’ll see how this works out.” (38:18)
Tune in weekly for more behind-the-scenes interviews and recaps from Bachelor Happy Hour!