Who is Mel Owens? Golden Bachelor star, 66, sparks outrage for saying he'll lower girls over 60

Jun 27, 2025 05:57 PM IST

New Golden Bachelor lead Mel Owens, 66, is going through backlash after saying he gained’t date girls over 60 and prefers youthful, match contestants for the ABC present.

Mel Owens, the newly introduced lead of The Golden Bachelor Season 2, is below hearth for controversial remarks concerning the age of ladies he’s keen to this point. Speaking on the In the Trenches podcast earlier this month, the 66-year-old stated bluntly, “If they’re 60 or over, I’m reducing them.”

Mel Owens is the brand new Golden Bachelor

The retired NFL player-turned-lawyer added that he had been “sincere” with the ABC producers about his preferences. “I solely needed girls aged 45 to 60 … simply being sincere,” he stated on the podcast.

“This just isn’t The Silver Bachelor, that is The Golden Bachelor. They’ve acquired to be match, as a result of I keep in form and work out and stuff. And I instructed producers to attempt to steer clear of the synthetic hips and the wigs,” Owens added, stating that health is a precedence.

Fans slam Mel Owens’ feedback as ‘ageist’ and ‘superficial’

The remarks shortly went viral on social media, significantly X (previously Twitter), the place customers condemned the Golden Bachelor star for being ageist. Some known as out the hypocrisy, noting that Owens himself is properly previous 60. Others in contrast him to males who anticipate youthfulness with out providing it in return.

“Ok thanks #TheGoldenBachelor and ABC for the heads up so I do know NOT to observe this loser on TV,” one X person wrote. “The new Golden Bachelor feels like an actual piece of…work,” a second famous, whereas a 3rd added, “Starting to clarify why he 66 and single.”

ABC’s Golden Bachelor faces new scrutiny after high-profile Season 1 breakup

The backlash arrives simply because the ABC franchise recovers from the high-profile cut up of Season 1 couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist. The pair, each over 70, acquired engaged throughout the present however introduced their divorce in April 2024, solely three months after tying the knot.

“Theresa and I’ve had a variety of heart-to-heart conversations,” Turner stated on Good Morning America on the time. Nist added, “We need none of that [hope] to vary for anyone.”

Following the cut up, Nist instructed People that she’s obtained direct messages from a lot youthful males. “They’re so younger that they’re youthful than my son,” she stated. Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor is ready to premiere this fall, however Owens’ current remarks have already clouded the present’s subsequent chapter.

ALSO READ: Who did not obtain a rose and went house on ‘The Golden Bachelor’ week 5?

FAQs:

1. What did Mel Owens say about courting older girls?

He stated he would “lower” any girls aged 60 or older from consideration, sparking backlash for being ageist.

2. How previous is Mel Owens?

Mel Owens is 66 years previous.

3. Who had been the celebs of Golden Bachelor Season 1?

Season 1 featured Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, who acquired married and later divorced.

4. When does Golden Bachelor Season 2 premiere?

The second season is predicted to air in fall 2025.

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