With TheGolden Bachelorseason 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.
Though Mel has many great attributes that make him the perfect lead forThe Golden Bachelorseason 2, there are also reasons to think he isn’t well suited to finding love on the show. Recent reporting oncomments he made to producers about the kind of woman he’d cut from the showraised 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 ofThe Golden Bacheloropted for a younger lead for their second season, casting 66-year-old Mel Owens to replace72-year-old Gerry Turner. This decision reflects a strategic shiftto appeal to a slightly younger demographic while maintaining the show’s focuson 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”
Mel recently appeared on theMGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen, whereThe Golden Bachelorseason 2 lead made some shocking comments about the kind of women he refuses to date. He says that when the producersasked 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 havesparked backlash among fans who are outragedby Mel’s ageism. It’s a reminder thatMel is a divorced single dadwho 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 Lifereports Fabiana initiated divorce proceedings in February 2020. They weremarried for 25 years. Unlike Mel, Gerry was a widower, as wasThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1’s Joan.
The Golden Bachelor’s Producers Weren’t Happy About Mel’s Request
“This Is Not The ‘Silver Bachelor’”
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.” Thecast ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 1was full of beautiful older women who took great care of themselves, so Mel’s concern is misplaced.
Mel’s ageism is a bad sign forThe Golden Bachelorseason 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.
Born August 01, 2025 (66 years old)
