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“I’m not angry, I’m just hurt,” Minnesotan Leslie Fhima told “The Golden Bachelor” Gerry Turner during the live finale of the ABC hit in November. It was the first season of the Bachelor Nation franchise to feature participants ages 60 and older, and viewers fell in love with the mature and hopeful storylines. Fans learned that night Turner had selected a different woman for the final rose, shocking many who thought Fhima would be his choice. The fitness instructor from Minneapolis, who once dated Prince, was previously married to restaurateur David Fhima, and whose grandkids call “glamma,” agreed to this email interview shortly after the series ended. Read a longer version in the Jan/Feb issue, on newsstands in mid-January.
Now that the finale has aired, what’s next for you? There’s a lot of speculation you’ll be the next Golden Bachelorette. Can you comment on that? Are you interested? What would you change in the process or look for in a match?
I have not been asked to be the Golden Bachelorette as of yet. If I do, I would definitely be interested! I’m looking for a kind, funny, honest man, who loves his family, life, and is active, but also someone I can be still with. I would not change the process, but I would be very careful with people’s hearts.
ABC
One of our favorite comments on social media is that it will be difficult to find enough older men worthy of you. Any thoughts on that?
If you build it, they will come! It might be a little harder than finding women, but I do think they could!
A lot of fans of the show mention how it gives hope to older adults looking for love. Do you agree or does the heartbreak negate that?
With love, often comes heartbreak, but you have to take the chance, otherwise how would we know. I’m also very comfortable being alone. I want a partner, I don’t need a partner-—there’s a difference.
ABC
Were you surprised by the show’s success? How so-—either way? Were you surprised by the audience reaction to the final decision, with many saying you won their hearts?
The whole thing surprised me! My daughter Chloe thought years ago they should do this, I said to her, “Who wants to sit here looking at older people kissing in a hot tub?” Fast-forward many years, and I’m kissing in a hot tub! Like I always said throughout this process, it was Gerry’s journey, his choice. I was shocked at his choice at the end, so I assume some viewers were, too. I’ve watched the show since the beginning, and I’ve had my favorites. Everyone can relate to different personalities. It makes me happy that I touched so many people.
What were some of your favorite moments? What was lost or changed in the editing process?
I loved the first night getting out of the limo and meeting Gerry and meeting the other women. They are all so amazing and fun and lived very full lives. We learned something new about each other every day, and we had so much fun cooking together! My moments with Gerry were very special, and there were more conversations we had that were not shown. We laughed a lot, which is very important to me. The show was only an hour, so many great moments were edited out, which was disappointing, but understandable.
You said that you were authentically yourself. Can you expand on that, and how it has either benefited you or held you back?
Being myself authentically was what I wanted, but then again, I don’t know how to be any different. I don’t think it held me back, but I was emotional at times, even though I sometimes tried not to be. Feelings came like a train, and I couldn’t stop it. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I always have. Maybe that’s not always the best thing, but it’s who I am, for better or worse. I wore my hair natural a lot and it seems to be the talk of the internet, apparently not in a good way … haha.
Local angle: In the finale, you said you were looking forward to showing Gerry more of Minnesota and specifically mentioned restaurants. Where would you want to bring a future date? What are some of your favorite places to eat in Minnesota?
I’m a hometown girl, that’s for sure. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, and I love my city. I think a lot of the girls on the show don’t actually live where they grew up, so that makes a difference. I love all the sports, the lakes, the seasons, and, yes, the restaurants! Gerry had mentioned to me he really missed great food. I happen to think of Minneapolis as a foodie town. My faves are 112 Eatery, Porzana, Kim’s, Monte Carlo, Cardamom, and [David Fhima’s] Maison Margaux.
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