ABC announced the identity ofThe Golden Bachelor, and I’m glad they cast a fresh face. Though many fans, myself included, expected them to cast a contestant fromThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, the show’s producers decided to go a different way by casting a newcomer toBachelorNation. Mel Owens has never appeared on aBachelorfranchise show, and I’m glad they didn’t choose one of Joan Vassos' cast-offs.
WithThe Golden Bachelorseason 2on the horizon, it was revealedtheir next lead would be 66-year-old Mel. The former football player and lawyer is a divorcee with two children. Though there were plenty of great contestants fromThe Golden Bacheloretteto choose from, I strongly believe that Mel was the better choice.
Many Of The Favorites Were No Longer Eligible
They’re In Committed Relationships
In March, I believed the nextGolden Bachelorwouldn’t come from Joan’s season, and I was right. Many ofthe biggest front-runners fell out of eligibility. One fan favorite, Mark Anderson, made his television premiere alongside his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, onThe Bachelor28 and was then cast inThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. After Joan eliminated Mark, he started dating Barbara Alyn Woods, an actress best known for her work onOne Tree Hill. Joan’s runner-up was also a great option to be the lead, but he also announced he was in a relationship.
What We Know About Mel Owens
He’s A Divorced Lawyer And Father Of Two
The Golden Bachelorseason 2 won’t be the first timeMel appears on a television screen. He played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981-1989, so he’s no stranger to fame. Mel was married to Fabiana Pimentel for 25 years, and they had two children together beforeshe filed for divorce in 2020. After retiring from the NFL, Mel went to law school and eventually started his own firm, where he worked whenThe Golden Bachelor’s official Instagram account announced Mel as the new lead. He specializes in workers' compensation, sports law, sports injuries, and disability benefits.
When Will The New Season Begin?
It’ll Be A While Before The Show Hits The Airwaves
ABC hasn’t announced the official premiere date forThe Golden Bachelorseason 2. Judging from pastBachelorNation shows, it will probably air during the fall of 2025 or early 2026. Before that, fans can look forward toBachelor In Paradiseseason 10, which will premiere in the summer of 2025. I, for one,am glad the producers cast a fresh face, and I’m excited to see how Mel’s season goes.
Born July 23, 2025 (66 years old)
