Fans Drag ‘Golden Bachelor’ Mel Owens For ‘Ageist’ Remarks: ‘Recast Him’

Mel Owens is entering into the highlight as the latest star of “The Golden Bachelor,” however his current feedback about age and courting have many followers questioning if he’s the best man for the job.

The 66-year-old former NFL participant, who will lead the second season of ABC’s senior courting spinoff, sparked backlash as a consequence of current feedback.

Mel Owens opened up about what he’s in search of in ladies who’re contemplating showing on his season, and he admitted he isn’t concerned with courting ladies his age or older.

He went on to share that he advised producers from the start that he most well-liked ladies between the ages of 45 and 60. “Simply being sincere,” he added.

Owens recalled a dialog with “Golden Bachelor” government producers, saying, “We had lunch with the manager producer. I mentioned, ‘In the event that they’re 60 or over, I am chopping them.’ [They said], ‘Oh no, you possibly can’t. This isn’t ‘The Silver Bachelor,’ it’s ‘The Golden Bachelor.’ He goes, ‘However they’re gonna be sizzling, don’t fear about it.’”

The candid remarks didn’t sit effectively with followers of the franchise, who took to X (previously Twitter) to specific their frustration.

“Beginning to clarify why he’s 66 and single,” one consumer posted.

One other added, “Mel Owens & @ABCnetwork @GoldenBachABC can take their ageist BS & shove it!”

Others referred to as out the double normal. “Wow, what an a–. Hopefully, nobody will watch. Jogs my memory of those current males who weren’t sizzling, complaining to me that girls don’t age effectively,” a 3rd fan wrote.

“He doesn’t appear to be the kind for ‘in illness and in well being,'” one other X consumer mentioned as somebody requested ABC to “recast Mel Owens instantly.”

Owens is able to commerce the courtroom for candlelit dates and roses as he was formally introduced as the following “Golden Bachelor” earlier this yr throughout Hulu’s “Get Actual Home” presentation.

Owens, who hails from a close-knit Midwestern household in Detroit, turns into the second lead within the senior spinoff of “The Bachelor,” following within the footsteps of Gerry Turner.

The 66-year-old isn’t any stranger to chasing goals and catching them. He performed soccer on the College of Michigan earlier than being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams because the ninth decide within the 1981 NFL Draft. He went on to have a profitable NFL profession earlier than pivoting to legislation.

Now based mostly in Orange County, California, Owens has spent years representing shoppers in sports-related damage instances.

However regardless of a life full of athletic accolades and authorized victories, Owens’ proudest position has been fatherhood.

He shares two sons along with his “past love” and, after the passing of his father and the tip of his marriage, poured himself into being the most effective dad potential, teaching sports activities groups and displaying up for each milestone.

Now, he’s shifting focus to discovering a companion to share life’s subsequent chapter with. ABC describes Owens as somebody in search of “the easy joys of companionship, sharing life’s on a regular basis moments, planning for the longer term, and rising stronger collectively as a pair.”