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After being cast as the new lead for ABC “Golden Bachelor” Mel Owens I was looking forward to it. But things went dark when the retired NFL linebacker admitted plans to eliminate contestants from over 60 years ago.
While appearing in “To the Trench” podcast Speaking to Fox News Digital in June prior to the show’s premiere, Owens revealed the age restrictions he allegedly requested prior to casting.
“It’s blind until they get out of the limousine. But they asked me, ‘What do you like?’ So I just said 45-60. “And then the process went on and I was chosen, right? And we had lunch with the executive producer. “Oh, Mel, you can’t, you know, this isn’t ‘silver singles’. It’s the Golden Bachelor. He said, “But they’re going to get hot, don’t worry about that.”
“Golden Bachelor” Mel Owens sets strict age limits for contestants despite the producer’s pushback
“Golden Bachelor” Mel Owens said earlier comments about eliminating contestants over 60 were “unfair.” (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Additionally, Owens said he asked the producer to “stay away from the artificial waist and wig.”
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the show’s leading man Announced about the accidentshared how she gained women’s trust and explained why she believes she has no age to love.
“When I met the woman on my first night, I apologized,” said Owens, who has already filmed his season. “I was married for 25 years and all the experiences at the time were with my wife and friends we had. So I had no one outside my wife. But again, it was unfair and I apologized and moved on and got it.
“It took integrity and I was integrity about it,” he added. “So after the introduction, I apologized to the group when we were there and individually, I said that most of them asked me again and I apologized to them so much.
Mel Owens will be attending Hulu’s Get Real House in Casarago on April 22, 2025 in Los Angeles. (Monica Shipper/Getty Images)
When asked why he made the comment, Owens said. The charm of last month“Because I didn’t know anything about the age of Golden Bachelor. I didn’t.”
“I was watching my first show when I was young, when it first came out in 2002, until my son was born. But when he was born, I didn’t see it anymore.
Instead, Owens said his ideas for “Golden” years were based on his personal framework of reference, not on the show’s legacy.
“For me, I think the age range was 45-60 years old. That’s my age range. I think that’s the year of money for me. My mention was when I was dating at 39, 40. I wasn’t dating in 26 years so there were no clues. So I said the comments,” he admitted. “I didn’t know, I didn’t know, and I didn’t know that [Gerry Turner, the original Golden Bachelor] I got it I got divorced after getting married. I didn’t know that. ”
You don’t have the age to love, and you don’t have the age to your mind either. So, when you watch the show, you’ll be amazed at what’s so amazing. ”
Despite the backlash, Owens said he didn’t foresee his controversial comments about age and acceptance that would keep him out the powerful portion of the show’s audience.
“All the women are great, they are very skilled, refined and beautiful, so I don’t think that will be a problem,” Owens said.
Mel Owens doesn’t think his controversial comments will affect the audience who embrace him. (Disney)
“I don’t have the age to love, and I don’t have the age in your spirit,” he added. “So I think you’ll be delighted and surprised when you see the show.”
July: Golden Bachelor graduates Jerry Turner He told Fox News Digital that he feared that Owens would be “cheating on himself” if he decides to pursue a controversial plan.
“I think that’s a shame, and I think he has a change of heart in this. I think he’ll see the bounty and charm of women over 60.
“The people I met in the season, I go through them, and it’s like they’re all gifts. To get to know them… they’re one by one [brought] Some unique features of the show, unique features of life. ”
To celebrate Season 2 of “The Golden Bachelor,” Mel Owens joined the tastemaker for an exclusive event at Sophie Stadium ahead of the season premiere. (Disney/Stewart Cook)
“Age…Ignore the number and deal with that person,” Turner added.
“Golden Bachelor” Star Jerry Turner and Teresanist three months after the televised wedding
“I don’t think his comments about people who have hip replacements or wigs etc. will be casting ABC producers, especially in casting I’m confident in, that’s not the case. [Owens’ comments] Some context is needed and may be out of context. ”
“The Golden Bachelor” alumnus Jerry Turner said Fox News Digital Owens is “cheating on themselves” if it follows plans to eliminate women over 60. (Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC images via Getty Images)
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“But the bottom line is that if he doesn’t, I think he’s cheating on himself, so I hope he sees it differently.”
Turner’s romance from the show ended with a divorce from Theresa Nist, but he has an incredible experience and hopes that Owens will do the same.
“If he treats each individual with politeness and respect, is a good listener, pays attention to them and ignores age numbers, I think it’s fine,” Turner said. “Everyone who gets thrown into this situation has to find their way. I was lucky and I did very good mentoring at the show.”
Watch: “Golden Bachelor” Jerry Turner gushed about his new love, and she says “makes life even better”
“I remember Mel being told, “Jerry, I was like, and ignoring her age, “find beautiful women of all ages on the show,” so there were people who carefully moved some of the pitfalls that Mel didn’t avoid that much. And I think he and I will do that. ”
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Owens remained a mother about whether he found love this season, but he understands better what love is.
“[Love is] Compatibility, the people you can share your life, the people you enjoy, the people you always laugh and learn from both directions,” he said. And that’s what I think is love for me anyway. ”
“The Golden Bachelor” will premiere on ABC on September 24th.
