‘The Golden Bachelorette’ Joan Vassos Reminisces On Being An Extra In ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’: “Meeting Rob Lowe Was A Highlight Of My Life”

On Wednesday, September 18, Bachelor Nation will watch Joan Vassos meet 24 eligible bachelors during The Golden Bachelorette‘s highly-anticipated premiere. But was the 61-year-old lead more excited standing outside of the Bachelor Mansion than she was when she met her celebrity crush, Rob Lowe, on the set of St. Elmo’s Fire? Turns out it was a close comparison!

“God, that’s a really hard one,” Vassos laughed during a Zoom interview with Decider. “I thought you were going to say [‘Were you more excited standing outside the mansion] than being in the limo exiting’. But no, you had to bring Rob Lowe into it. My gosh.”

“I think in real life, I want to find my life partner. So I have to say outside of the mansion was more meaningful. But meeting Rob Lowe was a highlight of my life,” Vassos continued. “I love him. He’s so cute, and he remained cute. I think he even not cuter as he got older. It’s not fair!”

For those who don’t know, Vassos was an extra in Joey Schumacher and Carl Kurlander’s 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire, which stars Demi Moore, Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Andie MacDowell and more alongside Lowe.

Not only did she get to be on set and meet her celebrity crush, but per Entertainment Tonight, you can even spot her on screen at the same time as Lowe around 52 minutes into the movie. She’s the woman riding the back past the fraternity house and Lowe’s character, Billy Hicks. ICONIC. Go, Joan! Go!

As a reminder, Vassos isn’t the only Bachelor franchise alum with an IMDb page. Just this year Joey Graziadei’s season of The Bachelor featured Maria Georgas, who played “Firefly #1” in The Pacifier alongside Vin Diesel and Kelsey Toussant, who appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, How I Met Your Father, Barbie, and more. Absolute stars!

In addition to Vassos’ St. Elmo’s Fire days, the Golden Bachelorette lead chatted with Decider about her “meaningful” season ahead, her cast of 24 guys, her relationship with Golden Bachelor lead Gerry Turner, her “original” ending, and more. Be sure to read our full interview with Vassos ahead of The Golden Bachelorette‘s premiere, and get ready for an eventful season.

The Golden Bachelorette premieres Wednesday, September 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.