In The Golden Bachelor’s first season again in 2023, controversy didn’t actually hit till Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist introduced their divorce simply three months after tying the knot on stay TV. I’m certain nobody anticipated that the second time round, there’d be bother earlier than the season even premiered. With lower than per week till Mel Owens welcomes his solid to Bachelor Mansion, he’s opening up about how The Golden Bachelor’s producers reacted to these viral podcast feedback and whether or not he ever thought of backing out.
Mirroring a plot from It’s All the time Sunny in Philadelphia, Mel Owens, 66, stated on a podcast in June — earlier than filming began — that he most popular relationship ladies 45 to 60 and deliberate on “reducing” anybody on his season who was older than that. Followers had been outraged, with many hoping The Golden Bachelor would recast its Season 2 lead. Nonetheless, in accordance with the previous NFL participant, the producers took the viral gaffe in stride. Owens advised USA TODAY:
They stood by me, fortunately. And I had a good time, and was appreciative of them giving me a second likelihood. Once more, I’ve apologized. I’ve requested for forgiveness. I stated, ‘Let me earn it again.’ And you understand, hopefully I did.
Whether or not or not audiences will forgive him sufficient to tune into The Golden Bachelor when Season 2 hits the 2025 TV schedule stays to be seen, as a result of followers had been actually indignant that Mel Owens advised producers to “steer clear of the substitute hips and the wigs.” The podcast clip made nationwide information, and also you simply know the co-hosts of The View laid into him.
There have been rumors after the clip went viral that ABC was buying round for a alternative for Mel Owens, however that story was shortly debunked. Nonetheless, with all of the backlash, did athlete-turned-attorney ever think about bowing out of the fact present? He responded:
I by no means contemplated stepping away. By no means.
Mel Owens reportedly addressed the controversial feedback with the ladies immediately on their first night time on the mansion. We’ll should see if his alleged apology is proven throughout the episode, however both approach, it feels like the ladies made him pay for it. Of the 23 folks solid on The Golden Bachelor Season 2, just one is beneath 60, and Owens has stated they had been “throwing haymakers” at him over the feedback.
Gerry Turner urged Mel Owens to maintain an open thoughts. Bachelor in Paradise alum Kathy Swarts disregarded the viral podcast, saying he in all probability didn’t imply it. Owens says he’s apologized. And but, regardless of all of the Season 2 hype and cute Golden Bachelor commercials, many Bachelor Nation followers aren’t but over the controversy.
Tune in, for those who dare, when The Golden Bachelor Season 2 premieres at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, September 24, on ABC and streaming the subsequent day with a Hulu subscription.