New Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Faces Backlash for Ageist Comments on Dating Preferences
Mel Owens, the 66-year-old former NFL player and lawyer announced as the lead for The Golden Bachelor Season 2, has sparked widespread controversy with comments deemed ageist by fans and critics. In a June 2025 interview on the University of Michigan’s In the Trenches podcast, Owens revealed he told producers he prefers women aged 45 to 60 and would “cut” any contestants over 60, adding, “This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.” He also requested women who are “fit” and urged producers to “stay away from artificial hips and wigs.” The New Golden Bachelor age backlash has ignited calls for his removal before the season, set to air in fall 2025 on ABC, even begins. Here’s a detailed look at the controversy and its implications.
The Controversial Comments
During the podcast, Owens recounted his casting process, saying producers asked for his dating preferences. “I just said, 45 to 60, just being honest,” he stated, per Today. After being selected, he reiterated to an executive producer, “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,” emphasizing his preference for younger, physically fit women. He further noted, “I stay in shape and work out,” and expressed a desire to avoid contestants with “artificial hips and wigs,” framing his stance as an “NFL term” for elimination. The executive producer reportedly cautioned him against using “cut” and assured him the women would be “hot.”
These remarks, reported by outlets like BuzzFeed and The Hollywood Reporter, have drawn sharp criticism for undermining the spirit of The Golden Bachelor, a spinoff celebrating love among seniors, typically 60 and older. Season 1 featured 72-year-old Gerry Turner and contestants aged 60 to 75, with no one under 60, while The Golden Bachelorette included just one 59-year-old contestant.
Fan and Public Outrage
The backlash was swift on social media, particularly X, where fans slammed Owens for hypocrisy, given his own age of 66. @calirozzy tweeted, “Time for this entire franchise to die,” while @sleep2dream argued, “If he eliminates women over 60, then it’s not the Golden Bachelor.” Others, like @LaurenMilberger, questioned ABC’s casting, stating, “Then don’t make him the Golden Bachelor!” Comparisons to Leonardo DiCaprio’s preference for younger women surfaced, with @jorg3leiner joking, “Way to go DiCaprio!” Hindustan Times reported fans calling Owens “a real piece of work” and noting his comments explain “why he’s 66 and single.” Some, like @kathy4more on Instagram, vowed to boycott the season, calling the remarks “a slap in the face” to older women.
The controversy comes as the Bachelor franchise recovers from Season 1’s fallout, where Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist divorced three months after their January 2024 wedding, and amid broader criticism of the franchise’s casting choices, including past leads with controversial histories. CinemaBlend noted that executive producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner exited in March 2025 amid toxic workplace allegations, adding scrutiny to ABC’s decisions.
Context and Defense
Owens, a Detroit native who played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981 to 1989, transitioned to a career as a financial advisor and lawyer after retiring from football. Divorced in 2020 after 25 years of marriage, he has two sons, Lucas (20) and Andre (18). His casting, announced in April 2025, was initially celebrated for bringing a charismatic ex-athlete to the franchise. However, his podcast comments have overshadowed his credentials. Deadline reported that Owens claimed he had “no say” in the contestant selection, suggesting producers were aware of his preferences. Some fans, like @RealitySteve on X, speculated producers encouraged the remarks to boost viewership, though no evidence confirms this.
Implications for the Show
The New Golden Bachelor age backlash threatens to derail Season 2 before filming begins. Reality Tea reported calls to replace Owens, with fans arguing his mindset contradicts the show’s mission to celebrate love in later years. ScreenRant noted that casting a lead uninterested in age-appropriate women—especially when the “golden years” typically refer to post-65—could alienate viewers who embraced Season 1’s focus on seniors like Turner and Nist, both over 70. The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos, 61, faced no such age restrictions, and fans on Reddit suggested alternatives like her contestants for a more inclusive lead.
ABC and Warner Bros. have not responded to requests for comment, per The Hollywood Reporter, leaving uncertainty about whether Owens’ remarks will prompt a casting change or altered contestant demographics.
What This Means for Readers
The New Golden Bachelor age backlash highlights ongoing tensions in reality TV’s portrayal of aging and desirability. Owens’ comments, dismissing women his own age or older, clash with The Golden Bachelor’s promise to celebrate senior love, risking viewer trust in a franchise already criticized for vetting issues. As fans demand accountability, the controversy underscores broader societal debates about ageism, particularly toward women, as noted in The New York Times’ 2023 critique of the show’s focus on youthful appearances. For viewers, this may signal a need for more authentic representation in the franchise, with Season 2’s success hinging on how ABC addresses the outcry. Stay tuned for updates as the fall premiere approaches.
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Sources: BuzzFeed, Today, Reality Tea, ScreenRant, Daily Mail, Hindustan Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, CinemaBlend, The New York Times, X posts
