Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Faces Ageism Backlash and Apologizes
Zoe Bennett: Objective reporting, insightful analysis, let’s begin.
Mel Owens, the 66-year-old Golden Bachelor star, has officially recanted his ageist comments after on-set blowback from contestants. During a June podcast appearance, the former NFL linebacker sparked outrage by stating he would not date women over 60 and joking that he did not want partners with artificial hips. According to an exclusive interview in Glamour published on Friday, Owens admitted these remarks were “unfair” and “insensitive,” prompting an immediate apology to the women on the show.
The confrontation unfolded while filming ABC’s upcoming season. Owens told Glamour that one of his group dates turned into a roast session, with contestants “killing” him for his earlier statements. “I walked in and they let me have it,” he said. Production footage reportedly shows several women challenging his unwillingness to date mature women, leading him to publicly acknowledge his error on camera.
Owens explained the source of his misstep stemmed from his last serious relationship nearly three decades ago. “My reference of dating was 39, 40 years old,” he told the magazine. “I had not dated in 26, 27 years. That’s why I made the comment—I meant to refer to my own comfort zone, not to demean anyone else.” Despite his explanation, fellow contestants and his own friend urged him to apologize, with the NFL veteran admitting “I’ve got to apologize” was the only way forward.
Adding fuel to the fire, Owens had joked on the MGoBlue Podcast with Jon Jansen that he would pass on women with artificial hip replacements. “I know that’s not right,” he confessed, acknowledging that many elite athletes and marathoners rely on prosthetic joints. He said he offered a heartfelt apology to each woman as soon as filming began, pleading, “It was unfair, insensitive. I want to earn it back. Just give me the chance.”
Following social media backlash, some fans demanded a recast. Owens recalled being asked whether he would be replaced and, relieved, learning producers intended to keep him. His relief was palpable: “Not that I know of,” he laughed, adding that being removed would have been “upsetting.”
Owens has urged viewers to tune in when the season premieres, arguing that missing the show means they’ll never witness his genuine effort to regain trust. “I’m trying to earn it back by being fair, apologetic and honest,” he said. He reminded critics that the cast is composed of “smart” individuals who can see through insincerity.
Reflecting on the fallout, Owens conceded that he “deserved the anger” and pledged to prove his sincerity every episode. He also revealed that producers had reined in his use of the term “cut” when discussing age ranges, steering him toward softer language. At the time, he’d told them his ideal bracket was 45 to 60, believing the show honored “golden” years rather than “silver.”
With filming wrapping soon and the premiere on the horizon, Owens’s season promises unfiltered dialogue about aging, accountability, and second chances. He closed the Glamour interview by urging skeptics to “watch the show and see if I earn it back.”
That wraps up today’s analysis. Stay informed and watch for further updates.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Glamour, MGoBlue Podcast
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
