The second Golden Bachelor season is currently filming with former NFL player Mel Owens as the lead. He caused a huge stir on social media in June when he said he didn’t want to date anyone under 60. The first season of the show cast women between the ages of 60 and 75.
His comments caused fans to demand that he be replaced. ABC stood by him. Mel Owens and one of his contestants were spotted on a 1-on-1 date after his comments about age limits went viral. Stay on this page to see the pictures.
Mel Owens Apologizes For Controversial Comments
Mel Owens’ first public comments after being named as the next Golden Bachelor did not go over well. In addition to saying he would “cut” (eliminate) any contestants over 60, Mel Owens said he didn’t want women with wigs or artificial hips. The comments were met with immediate backlash but silence from ABC and Mel.
He finally broke his silence and apologized during an interview with Glamour magazine. He said that he wasn’t familiar with the format of the show because he only watched the early Bachelor seasons.
According to Mel, he apologized to the contestants on night one. He asked them for a second chance, and he asks the same of viewers.
“Those [opinions and comments] were a mistake by me. It’s unfair. It’s insensitive, like I said. And I want to earn it back. I have to earn it back every single moment that I’m on the show,” – Mel Owens.
Fan Reaction To his Apology
But is his apology enough? Not if you look at comments online. The official Golden Bachelor Instagram made a post last month announcing the Season 2 premiere date, September 24, 2025. The post received over 200 comments, many of them from angry fans vowing to boycott because of Mel Owens.
- “they had time to replace him and chose not to.”
- “You are absolutely ruining the wholesome vibes of the show with this guy. Won’t be watching.”
- “Nope. Im boycotting this choice of Golden Bachelor who seems to want a 45 year old. Byeeeee”
- “if that man is the lead, I will tune off immediately!”
“Is the ableist ageist misogynist gone? Am I missing any other ‘ist’s that apply to him?”
Golden Bachelor Spotted Filming 1-On-1 Date
Whether Bachelor Nation fans accept Mel Owens or not, ABC is standing by him. Earlier reports that he was fired after fan outrage have been proven false.
Mel Owens was recently spotted filming a 1-on-1 date at the Orange County Fair in California. According to Reality Steve, Mel was on a date with Peg, a 62-year-old from Las Vegas.
While he previously said he wouldn’t date anyone over 60, it seems Mel Owens has changed his tune after backlash.
Will you stream or skip the new Golden Bachelor season? Sound off in the comments.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger