Bachelor Nation is gearing up for the return of Bachelor in Paradise to the 2025 TV schedule, nevertheless it appears hassle could also be brewing for an additional of the fact courting reveals. The Golden Bachelor Season 2 lead Mel Owens went on a podcast earlier this month, the place the 66-year-old mentioned he informed producers he wouldn’t date any ladies over 60, and followers are calling on the community to “do higher” with its casting.
Mel Owens Reveals His ‘Preferences’ Forward Of The Golden Bachelor Season 2
Mel Owens, a former NFL participant — who was solid to observe Gerry Turner because the second Golden Bachelor — went on the Within the Trenches podcast on June 4, the place he was requested how a lot management he had over the ladies solid for his season. He mentioned he gained’t know something about them till they exit the limos at Bachelor Mansion, however he mentioned in the course of the casting course of producers requested him concerning the type of ladies he wished up to now. Owens recalled:
They requested me, like, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So I simply mentioned 45 to 60, simply being sincere, proper? After which the method went and I used to be chosen. After which we had lunch with the chief producer. I mentioned, ‘In the event that they’re 60 or over, I’m reducing them.’ [He said] ‘Oh no, you’ll be able to’t. This isn’t The Silver Bachelor, that is The Golden Bachelor.’ He goes, ‘However they’re gonna be sizzling, don’t fear about it.’
Say what you need about Gerry Turner, however The Golden Bachelor’s first season warmed viewers’ hearts with its messages about hope and by no means being too outdated to seek out love, in order a longtime Bachelor Nation fan, I’m type of shocked to listen to that the Season 2 star apparently has a fairly particular age restrict in the case of who he’ll date.
It’s unclear which producers he informed this to, nevertheless it’s disappointing to listen to that they apparently knew Mel Owens has no real interest in courting ladies his age and determined to solid him anyway. For context, none of The Golden Bachelor’s solid members had been below 60 in its premiere season, and The Golden Bachelorette had only one 59-year-old (Mark Anderson). Owens continued:
I do know they’re gonna be lovely, I do know they’re. However I had no say in them. I had no résumé. However they requested me what’s my profile. Nicely they gotta be match, as a result of I keep in form, work out and stuff. And I informed him, ‘Attempt to keep away from the unreal hips and the wigs,’ you already know, that type of stuff.
This undoubtedly isn’t an excellent search for ABC, and Bachelor Nation viewers should not taking these feedback calmly.
Bachelor Nation Followers Are Calling Out ABC For Casting Mel Owens
The Golden Bachelor’s second season hasn’t even begun filming but, however already followers are talking out concerning the resolution to solid Mel Owens after listening to his feedback on the podcast. On the official Instagram announcement made by ABC months in the past, social media customers are returning to touch upon the most recent developments, writing:
- Too unhealthy he’s a strolling pink flag earlier than the season even began. Do higher ABC! – jade.brooke
- Did you actually hold telling us you’ll “do higher” with casting after which solid a Golden Bachelor who has mentioned he would “reduce any girl 60+ on night time one”? – sherrieatsplants
- This man is a strolling pink flag, and undoubtedly does not sign to me personally that this franchise is fascinated about doing higher… – ample.coronary heart.tarot
- Too unhealthy he’s not in search of a girl over 60 ☹️. I believe for all of the golden ladies who watch this present that’s an actual slap within the face. I for one gained’t be watching 😡 – kathy4more
The Bachelor franchise has already been below hearth the previous few years, significantly over its casting of males (Golden and in any other case) who’ve had restraining orders towards them or been concerned in race-related scandals and different controversial conduct. In March, government producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner exited the franchise amid accusations of a poisonous office surroundings, and the 2025 cycle of The Bachelorette was canceled.
Mel Owens’ feedback are a very robust capsule to swallow. I don’t wish to see 40- and 50-somethings on The Golden Bachelor, however I additionally don’t need the quarterback-turned-lawyer to faux up to now ladies he’s not fascinated about.
It’s fairly a pickle, however whereas we wait to see if ABC or Mel Owens addresses the feedback, Bachelor in Paradise is about to premiere at 8 p.m. ET Monday, July 7, on ABC and streaming the subsequent day with a Hulu subscription.