The Golden Bachelor 2: Mel Owens' Comment About Women His Own Age Explained

   

With The Golden Bachelor season 2 on the horizon, ABC announced Mel Owens as their next lead, but his recent comments are a major red flag. The 66-year-old former football player turned lawyer is a divorcee with two children. Though the date of the new season hasn't been announced, fans can expect the highly anticipated show to premiere sometime in the fall or winter of 2025.

Golden Bachelor' star Mel Owens, 66, faces backlash after admitting he'll  cut any women over 60

Though Mel has many great attributes that make him the perfect lead for The Golden Bachelor season 2, there are also reasons to think he isn't well suited to finding love on the show. Recent reporting on comments he made to producers about the kind of woman he'd cut from the show raised a giant red flag. Read on to learn more about Mel's unrealistic expectations.

Mel Owens Is Younger Than Gerry Turner

The Choice Could Reflect A Strategic Shift

The producers of The Golden Bachelor opted for a younger lead for their second season, casting 66-year-old Mel Owens to replace 72-year-old Gerry Turner. This decision reflects a strategic shift to appeal to a slightly younger demographic while maintaining the show’s focus on mature romance. Owens, known for his vibrant personality, brings fresh energy to the role, aiming to connect with contestants and viewers alike.

 

Mel Isn't Interested In Dating Women His Own Age

"If They're Over 60, I'm Cutting Them"

montage of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 Lead Mel Owens smiling with golden rose petals falling
Custom image by Cesar Garcia
 

Mel recently appeared on the MGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen, where The Golden Bachelor season 2 lead made some shocking comments about the kind of women he refuses to date. He says that when the producers asked him about the age of the women he'd like to date, he told them, “45 to 60, just being honest.”

Mel took the comments even further, going on to say that he told producers, “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.” These comments have sparked backlash among fans who are outraged by Mel's ageism. It's a reminder that Mel is a divorced single dad who was married to a woman who was 20 years his junior. He's clearly uninterested in women his own age.

 

AccordiMel met his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel, described as “his first love,” while working as a lawyer in Orange County. Hollywood Life reports Fabiana initiated divorce proceedings in February 2020. They were married for 25 years. Unlike Mel, Gerry was a widower, as was The Golden Bachelorette season 1's Joan.

 

The Golden Bachelor's Producers Weren't Happy About Mel's Request

"This Is Not The 'Silver Bachelor'"

the golden bachelor season 2 star mel owens smiling in close up in brown shirt with golden petal background
Custom Image By César García

According to Mel, the show's producers weren't happy about his request, with one producer even pointing out that "This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.” Mel then went on to claim that the producer then said, “But they’re going to be hot. Don’t worry about it, don’t worry about it.” Looks and age appear to be very important to the show's new lead, and it's a bad sign for the season.

"And I told them [to] try and stay away from artificial hips and the wigs.

Mel took it even further, going on to insist that the women he dated had “to be fit, because I’m staying in shape and work out and stuff. And I told them [to] try and stay away from artificial hips and the wigs.” The cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1 was full of beautiful older women who took great care of themselves, so Mel's concern is misplaced.

Mel's ageism is a bad sign for The Golden Bachelor season 2. The first season of the show ended badly too. Gerry married Theresa Nist, 70, in a nationally televised wedding, but they divorced after only three months of marriage. The show about finding true love in old age desperately needs a win, but Mel may not be the right man for the job.

Mel Owens

Born December 7, 1958 (66 years old)

Status

Divorced

Children

Two

Occupation

Former NFL player/Lawyer

The Golden Bachelor can be streamed on Hulu.