Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Reportedly Fired After Vowing to Eliminate Any Woman ’60 or Over’—Here’s Who He Could Be Replaced With
Even before the filming of the new season of The Golden Bachelor, there seems to be a rising controversy swirling on set. Rumors are swirling that the star of the show, Mel Owens won’t be starring as the titular role.
A report from notable reality TV source Reality Steve says that Owens was fired. “I’m hearing that Mel Owens is OUT as the Golden Bachelor due to recent negative publicity surrounding his June 4th podcast appearance,” the online personality wrote on X on July 2. “Expect an announcement soon incl who is going to replace him. Haven’t heard a name yet on who that is. Will update if/when I hear.”
Related: How to Watch The Golden Bachelor Live for Free to See Who Gerry Picks
Owens came under fire after he made comments about how he would not want to date people over the age of 60. The former professional football player went on the In The Trenches podcast to talk about the behind the scenes process. He told host Jon Jansen: “It’s blind up until they get out of the limo. But [the producers] asked me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So, I just said 45 to 60, just being honest.”
“I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,’” he continued. Producers then told him, “Oh Mel, you can’t, you know, this is not the Silver Bachelor. It’s the Golden Bachelor. But they’re going to be hot, don’t worry about it.”
Mel Owens is currently 66. Contestants who were on Gerry Turner’s Golden Bachelor tenure ranged from 60 to 72, but Turner himself was 72 at the time of filming. Though Reality Steve’s claims are making the rounds, it’s not confirmed that Owens is fired and it’s assumed that they are still filming his season by the end of summer.
Some people from Bachelor Nation got the complete ick from his comments and want him out regardless. One fan wrote that the show “should recast Mel Owens immediately. We want Charles L for Golden Bachelor!” referring to the fan favorite from Season 1 of The Golden Bachelorette. “But if that’s not possible, please at least give us someone who is actually interested in dating the cast of golden women who are 60+.”
Reality TV staple Chrishell Stause even put in her two cents. ‘We love the Golden Bachelor because of how wholesome it is,’ the Selling Sunset star wrote in her Instagram Stories. ‘This type of energy will ruin it.’
Back in his glory days as a football player for the Rams, Owens was “selected as the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the LA Rams.” He also apparently “recorded 26.5 sacks and four interceptions in his career,” according to Variety. Now, his Bachelor bio says “Owens is ready to rediscover a love rooted in the simple joys of companionship – sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future, and growing stronger together as a couple. As the Golden Bachelor, he’s eager to meet someone who shares this vision and finally find that perfect teammate he’s been waiting for in his golden years.” Let’s see if he can do it!
