The New 'Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens Says He Will 'Cut' Any Woman Older than 60
UNITED STATES, JUL 1 – ABC removed Mel Owens from 'The Golden Bachelor' after his remarks excluding women aged 60 or older sparked backlash and accusations of ageism from fans and media outlets.
- Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL linebacker, was announced in April 2025 as ABC's new lead for 'The Golden Bachelor'.
- Owens, who played at the University of Michigan and was drafted ninth overall in 1981, shared on a June podcast that he will cut any contestant aged 60 or over.
- He emphasized he expects contestants to be fit and without artificial hips or wigs, seeking a partner who is honest, charming, loving, energetic, and full of life.
- Owens revealed on the podcast that he intends to rule out any potential partners aged 60 and above, specifying his ideal dating range as between 45 and 60 years old.
- The show's premiere date remains unannounced, and Owens' strict age criteria have sparked public backlash, highlighting tensions in the new season's casting approach.
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'Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens sets strict age limit for contestants despite producer pushback
"The Golden Bachelor" star Mel Owens reveals dating preferences, seeking contestants between 45-60 who are physically fit and without "artificial hips" and "wigs" as he searches for love.
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Read Full ArticleGolden Bachelor Mel Owens, 66, says he won’t date women over 60
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 29%
14%
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