ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor” Star Mel is finally speaking out about his recent comments.
Mel recently apologized to Bachelor Nation for disrespecting women over 60.
He shared:
He told Glamour that he realized his comments — he also said he’d told an executive producer of the show, “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them” — were inappropriate after a 65-year-old longtime friend called him out.
“She said, ‘What you said was insensitive, and it’s just not who you are.’ My reference of dating was 39, 40 years old. I hadn’t dated in 26, 27 years. That’s what I told her,” he said. “She goes, ‘It doesn’t matter. You’ve said some things that are just incredibly wrong.’ And I go, ‘I’ve got to apologize.'”
He said that his controversial age range comments came not from a place of malice, but of his lack of understanding of how the show works.
“I didn’t know anything about the Golden Bachelor ages,” he admitted.
“I didn’t know the age range because I wasn’t watching it. I’m thinking, to me, the age range was 45 to 60. That’s my age range. I’m thinking that’s the gold years for me. My reference, again, was when I was dating at 39, 40. I hadn’t dated in 26 years, so I had no clue. And that’s why I said that comment.”
When filming on his season started, Owens made sure to apologize to the women and take responsibility for his hurtful comments.
“I apologized to the women on the show. When I first walked in, I addressed it. I apologized to them. I said, ‘It was unfair, insensitive. I want to earn it back. Just give me the chance,'” he told the outlet.
He also revealed that several of the contestants on his season have spoken to him directly about his comments. “During our one-on-ones, 12 or 15 of them said, ‘We appreciate the apology, and it meant a lot to us.'”
The women also got the chance to let their feelings be known during a date that included a comedy roast.
“One of the dates was a roast. It was brutal. They were killing me,” he said. “One said, ‘Oh, when Mel was walking with me, he was using me as a cane.’ And I’m from Detroit, right? One said, ‘Like a Detroit pizza, he’s doughy, squishy, square, and crusty.'”
“It was good because I earned that, and I took it and I deserved it, and it landed squarely on me. They were throwing haymakers. It was good.”
The newest season debuts September 24th!
After a historic first season, “The Golden Bachelor” is set to return to ABC and Hulu. Mel Owens, the 66-year-old former NFL veteran-turned-lawyer, is gearing up to make his next big play as the second Golden Bachelor.
Born and raised in a close-knit Midwestern family in Detroit, Owens’ athleticism shone through from an early age. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he was selected as the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the LA Rams. Following his retirement from football, Owens transitioned into a career in law and moved to Orange County, California, dedicating himself to helping others – particularly those seeking justice for sports-related injuries. It was during this time that he met his first love, and together they had two sons. While life took an unexpected turn with the passing of his father and the end of his marriage, Owens channeled his energy into being the best father he could be, focusing on raising his sons and coaching their extracurricular sports teams.
Now, after several years as a devoted dad, Owens is ready to rediscover a love rooted in the simple joys of companionship – sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future, and growing stronger together as a couple. As the Golden Bachelor, he’s eager to meet someone who shares this vision and finally find that perfect teammate he’s been waiting for in his golden years.
The inaugural season of “The Golden Bachelor” averaged 10.4 million viewers after the first 35 days across platforms, making it the strongest average for any season of an ABC unscripted series since “The Bachelor” during the 2019-2020 season (P2+, MP35). It also hit a 2.88 rating among P18-49, the highest-rated ABC unscripted series since “The Bachelorette” in fall 2020.Online TV streaming services
“The Golden Bachelor” is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon. A premiere date will be announced at a later date.
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