Home / Arts and Entertainment / 'Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens Faces Backlash, Finds Love in Explosive Season 2
'Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens Faces Backlash, Finds Love in Explosive Season 2
30 Oct
Summary
- Mel Owens, 66, faced criticism for comments about older women on podcast
- Contestants took him to task, but he earned their forgiveness and trust
- Owens' final two contestants are Cindy, 60, and Peg, 62
In the lead-up to the second season of ABC's senior-focused dating show 'The Golden Bachelor', which premiered on September 24, 2025, lead Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL player turned lawyer, faced criticism for comments he had made on a podcast about not wanting to date women over 60. However, on the first night of the season, the contestants took Owens to task, and he earnestly apologized, asking for a second chance, which they soon granted.
Weeks after the premiere, Owens reunited with the women on an ABC stage to film the 'Women Tell All' special, which aired just two weeks before the season finale. Owens reflected on the experience, saying the season "exceeded expectations" and that the diverse group of women, ranging from 60 to 65 years old, treated him well.
While Owens remained tight-lipped about whether he found love in the end, his final two contestants were revealed to be Cindy, a 60-year-old retired biomedical engineer from Texas, and Peg, a 62-year-old retired firefighter and bomb tech from Nevada. The eliminated contestants, including Carol, Nicolle, Gerri, and Debbie, all expressed openness to becoming the next 'Golden Bachelorette', believing the process can lead to lasting love despite initial skepticism.
