Why Was Jennifer Love Hewitt At The ‘Golden Bachelor’ Finale?

By Nicole Gallucci @nicolemichele5
Published Dec. 1, 2023, 9:06 a.m. ET

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The Golden Bachelor‘s two-hour live finale event finally revealed if Gerry Turner got engaged, but it also left Bachelor Nation with a series of burning questions. For instance, what did Gerry say during his Fantasy Suite overnight date with runner-up Leslie Fhima that made her so sure she was the one? Will ABC ever announce The Golden Bachelorette? And, crucially, what the heck was actor Jennifer Love Hewitt doing in the audience?!

Throughout the dramatic special as Bachelor franchise host Jesse Palmer interviewed Leslie, Gerry, and his fiancé Theresa Nist, the 44-year-old Ghost Whisperer star could be seen in the background of shots, seated amongst Bachelor Nation royalty including Joey Graziadei, Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko, Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar, Rachel Recchia, and several of Gerry’s Golden Gals. As the pre-recorded portion of the episode aired, ABC even zoomed in to show Hewitt’s reactions to at-home viewers.

Hewitt does have “Love” in her name, so was she just there to support romance in general? Or was there a reason for her emotional appearance in the audience? Decider has a few theories, starting with the most timely connection between the actor and ABC — Hewitt’s popular broadcast drama 9-1-1 was canceled by FOX this year but picked up by ABC. So perhaps ahead of its Season 7 premiere on March 14, she wanted to show some love for her new network. (This theory is supported by the fact that 9-1-1 promos were also played in The Golden Bachelor finale commercial breaks on ABC.)

The other major theory that could explain JLH’s show of support? She’s just really invested in the Bachelor franchise! I mean, she did reportedly date former Bachelor star Ben Flajnik! Sadly, she didn’t get her happy reality TV ending, because Flajnik said “ending up with a Hollywood celebrity is not something that I want.” But she has been married to actor Brian Hallisay (who starred alongside her on 9-1-1) since 2013, so fear not, Hewitt got her real-life happy ending.

Whatever the reason for Hewitt gracing Bachelor Nation with her golden presence, fans were delighted by her surprise finale appearance. Even Reality Steve was shook! Her reactions added to the intensity of the evening, and it’s nice to be reminded that Hollywood stars are just like us: they cry over The Golden Bachelor sometimes.

Though Hewitt was one of the most recognizable stars in the audience, she wasn’t the only celeb who showed up to support Gerry. Reese Witherspoon’s mom and daughter Ava Phillippe were also seated beside future Bachelor star Joey G.

Will any celebs show up for Bachelor in Paradise‘s upcoming three-hour finale event? Tune into ABC Thursday, December 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET to find out.