Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Sparks Controversy with Strict Age and Fitness Rules

The new star of The Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens, is stirring the pot with his strict dating criteria, raising eyebrows and questions about age and authenticity in love. The 66-year-old NFL veteran, recently named the show’s lead, made waves on the In The Trenches podcast by declaring he’ll cut any contestant over 60. "I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,’" Owens stated, pushing back against producers who assured him the women would be ‘hot.’ His age cap, set between 45 and 60, has sparked debate about fairness in a show celebrating love in later years.

Owen’s demands don’t stop at age. He’s also insistent on physical fitness, dismissing contestants with "artificial hips" or "wigs." "They got to be fit because I stay in shape," he said, emphasizing his active lifestyle. This blunt approach contrasts with the show’s first season, where contestants ranged from 60 to 75, and its inaugural bachelor, Gerry Turner, 72, married 70-year-old Theresa Nist—though their union ended after just three months.

A widower after a 25-year marriage, Owens, a father of two, says he’s seeking a partner for life’s simple joys—shared moments and future plans. Yet his rigid standards hint at a deeper question: can love truly be confined by age or appearance? As the show prepares to roll out, viewers are left wondering if Owens will find his "perfect teammate" or if his checklist will limit his chances at connection.