Golden Bachelor’s Mel Owens Issues Heartfelt Apology After Ageist Remarks Ignite Backlash
Jordan Collins here. Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up.
Golden Bachelor star Mel Owens has officially walked back his ageist comments and offered a sincere apology to the Season 2 cast after stirring controversy this summer. Owens’ admission of fault unfolded on night one of filming, and apparently that was his first chance to recognize he had misstepped.
In an interview with Glamour published in early August, Owens addressed backlash over his June podcast remark preferring women aged 45 to 60. He went on record telling producers to “try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs, you know, that kind of stuff.” That statement alone sent social media into a tailspin, with outraged fans demanding accountability and even calling for his removal from the show.
According to TMZ, the outcry only registered with Mel after a respected colleague privately pointed out the insensitivity of his words. Owens admits that until that intervention, he genuinely failed to see the harm. His response was swift: he entered the Golden Bachelor set and personally apologized to the entire pool of talented women vying for his heart.
During private one-on-ones, several contestants reportedly thanked him for owning his mistake. Rather than ducking criticism, Mel embraced a comedic roast organized by the production team. A contestant quipped that his preference criteria reminded her of a Detroit-style pizza—crispy, cheesy, and questionable when reheated. The jabs didn’t bruise too badly, however; Owens admitted those women were brilliant, accomplished, and shockingly active in their careers.
Mel Owens, now 66, chalks his gaffe up to a long hiatus from the dating scene. With no recent frame of reference for the realities of life past age 60, his comment was an ill-considered attempt at humor that fell flat. He acknowledges now that age is not a punchline, but a tapestry of experience and vitality that every contestant brings to the table.
This season’s filming has barely begun, but Mel is determined to rebuild trust with both his co-stars and the audience. He told Glamour he hopes viewers will see his genuine regret play out on screen and grant him the benefit of the doubt, one rose ceremony at a time.
As reality television continues to grapple with issues of fairness and respect, Mel Owens’ public mea culpa serves as a reminder that even experienced stars can stumble. With cameras rolling, we’ll soon discover if his apology resonates or if the initial slip-up casts a long shadow over Season 2.
Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Glamour
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
