The Golden Bachelorseason 2 is on the horizon, but there are already signs that the highly anticipated second season will be going down in flames. The new lead, Mel Owens, recently confessed that, though he himself is 66, he had no intention of dating a woman his own age. He’s really more interested in being a silver bachelor.
The first season of theBachelorspin-off show was a big hit with audiences. The idea ofseniors getting a second chance at love in their golden yearsmade for good storytelling. Sadly, the first season of the unscripted dating show ended in tears, and it appears as ifThe Golden Bachelorseason 2isn’t going to deliver on true love either.
Who Is Mel Owens?
ManyBachelorshows choose their leads from pastBachelorcontestants. For example, Joan Vassos was acontestant onThe Golden Bachelorseason 1before she came to leadThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. Though several of Joan’s contestants were fan favorites to leadThe Golden Bachelorseason 2, likeMark Anderson and Charles Ling, the producers plucked someone from outside the franchise.
Mel Tyrae Owens was born on July 08, 2025, which makes him 66 years old and a Sagittarius.The Golden Bachelorseason 2 won’t be Mel’s first brush with fame. Heplayed professional football for the Los Angeles Ramsfrom 1981-1989. After retiring from the NFL, Mel worked as a financial advisor briefly before going to law school.
After law school, Meleventually opened his own firm. He still continues to work at his firm today, where he specializes in workers' compensation, sports law, sports injuries, and disability benefits. Unlike some of his predecessors,The Golden Bachelorseason 2 will be Mel’s first time on a Bachelor show.
Mel Was A Terrible Choice For The Golden Bachelor
He Doesn’t Even Want To Date Women His Own Age
The Golden Bachelor’s producers opted for a younger lead for their second season, replacingThe Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turnerwith 66-year-old Mel. This decision may reflect a strategic shift toappeal to a slightly younger demographic while maintaining the show’s focus on matureromance. Owens brings fresh energy to the role, but he also brings unrealistic expectations.
Mel recently appeared on theMGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen, where he made some shocking comments about the kinds of women he would and wouldn’t date duringThe Golden Bachelorseason 2. 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.”
“If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,” Mel said, taking his earlier comments even further.
The newGolden Bachelor’s comments sparked a backlash among fans outraged by Mel’s ageism. It’s a reminder that Mel is a divorced single dad whowas married to a woman 20 years his junior. Producers should have known he’d be uninterested in women his own age.
Mel met his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel, while working as a lawyer in Orange County. Hedescribed her as his first love, although he was in his 40s when they met.Hollywood Lifereports Fabiana initiated divorce proceedings in February 2020. They were married for 25 years. Unlike Mel, Gerry was a widower, as wasThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1’s Joan.
The Golden Bachelor Season 1 Ended Badly Too
Though The Golden Bachelorette Season 1 Ended On A Happy Note
The Golden Bachelorseason 1 ended with Gerry giving his final rose to Theresa Nist, 70. Both had lost their long-term spouses and bonded over shared grief. Their connection sparked on premiere night, with a kiss and deepened during a memorable first date. Their romance blossomed,culminating in Gerry’s proposal in Costa Ricaduring the November 2023 finale.
“This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.”
Gerry and Theresa’s whirlwind love storyled to a televised wedding in January 2024, attended by 150 guests, includingBacheloralumni. Theresa, in a Badgley Mischka gown, and Gerry exchanged vows promising lifelong joy. They planned a honeymoon in Italy, butdivorced after only three monthsof marriage. The couple parted on good terms, butThe Golden Bachelorbrand took a hit.
The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 delivered a much happier ending. Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple got engaged during the November 2024 season finale, and they’re still happy together. They’renavigating a long-distance engagement, planning a New York move, and sharing joyful milestones along the way. Joan and Chock prove that the dating experiment can still lead to lasting loving relationships.
“This Is The Golden Bachelor, Not The Silver Bachelor”
A New Bachelor Spin-Off Opportunity?
According to Mel, the show’s producers weren’t happy aboutThe Golden Bachelor2 star’s request, with one producer even pointing out that “This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.” Though this was just a throwaway comment, maybethere’s a great show idea in there. Instead of casting senior citizens, maybe the show could focus on middle-aged love stories instead.
Producers ofThe Golden Bachelorshould consider makingThe Silver Bacheloras well. They could cast asingle man in his 50s who would date women in their 40s and 50s. The world is full of middle-aged divorcees looking for love, and theBachelorfranchise should at least think about capitalizing on the huge dating pool and potential audience.
Born June 13, 2025 (66 years old)
