Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Apologizes for Ageist Comments Ahead of Season 2

Mel Owens, the 66-year-old star of The Golden Bachelor Season 2, faced significant backlash after revealing on a podcast that he preferred to date women aged 45 to 60 and would "cut" women over 60, adding insensitive remarks about avoiding women with artificial hips and wigs. Owens apologized following criticism, explaining he was unaware of the show's age range and had not dated in nearly three decades, which influenced his misguided comments. A close friend, a 65-year-old attorney and fan of the franchise, urged him to acknowledge his mistakes, prompting Owens to publicly apologize, including directly to the contestants on the show. Owens has since expressed admiration for the women on the show, who are all over 60, calling them active and brilliant, and admitted he deserved the criticism. Despite initial calls for his replacement, ABC continued filming with Owens as lead, and he is making efforts to earn back the trust of Bachelor Nation and the contestants. Owens' experience highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the show's premise and the diverse experiences of older women seeking love.