Marina Perera and Gerry Turner on ‘The Golden Bachelor’.Photo:ABC/Craig Sjodin
ABC/Craig Sjodin
Family comes first forThe Golden BachelorhopefulMarina Perera.
In a deleted scene posted on ABC dating series’Instagram, Marina — whoreceived a rosefromGerry Turnerduring the week 1 rose ceremony — explained her decision to step away from the series and not appear in Thursday’s episode.
The clip begun with hostJesse Palmertelling Gerry, 72, that Marina, 60, will no longer be participating in the show because she “had a situation with her family back home."
“She’s no longer here now, but she did want the opportunity to speak with you, if that’s okay,” he said.
On a FaceTime call with Gerry, Marina explained that she needed to prioritize her family.
“The thing I wanted to tell you, you know, I’m a single mom and I had to choose my family and, you know, support my family’s needs at this time,” she said. “I am so sorry that I had to leave, but at the same time I had to get my priorities straight.”
Gerry was completely responsive to her reasoning. “I fully understand,” he said. “Commitment to family overrides just about everything else.”
“I really respect you for doing what you’ve done,” he added. “I agree with you 100 percent that you needed to put your family needs before everything else."
Marina Perera and Gerry Turner on ‘The Golden Bachelor’.ABC/Craig Sjodin
“I really want to wish you well. I think there are some beautiful women with some beautiful souls and I want to wish you nothing but the best from my heart,” she shared.
“That’s a wonderful sentiment,” he replied. “And I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
The show also showed its support of Marina, captioning the clip, “The bittersweet part of maturing gracefully: honoring your priorities. Nothing but respect for Marina and her difficult decision. 💛 ”
“It’s somber, it’s overwhelming to work hard to develop friendships," Gerry explained, adding that “to not be able to take the next step is disheartening.”
Prior to the season’s start, Gerry opened up to PEOPLE about what he islooking for in a partner,sharing, “There’s many things that are valuable to me.”
“I think sense of humor ranks very high, and if that sense of humor extends to where they can laugh at themselves, that’s even better. And I think I need to see strong family values, something that’s similar to my own,” he added.
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The Golden Bachelorairs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com
