“The Golden Bachelor” season 2 is finally here, with 66 year old former NFL player-turned-sports lawyer Mel Owens ready to meet the 23 beautiful women who are all vying for his affection.
Owens struck a nerve with fans after admitting he wouldn’t date women over 60, but he has since walked back that remark, even offering a sincere apology to the women he met on the show. FYI, the season 2 women range in age from 58 to 77! With that behind him, it’s time to dive into the newest Bachelor love story!
Warning: This post contains spoilers for the premiere of “The Golden Bachelor” season 2 starring Mel Owens. Read at your own risk!
Mel Owens Addresses His Controversial Comments Ahead of the Premiere
Getty“The Golden Bachelor” season 2 kicks off with Bachelor lead Mel Owens addressing his very controversial podcast interview in June, in which he shared that he was interested in women ranging in age from 44 to 60. It’s a comment that deeply affected the 23 women who are competing for his heart, but Owens took ownership and sincerely apologized. He’s hoping that these ladies will forgive him and see what he’s really about.
We see Owens hanging out with his two sons, Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18, and coaching youth football in Detroit, Michigan, where he was born and raised. Owens himself played football for 26 years, including nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
Owens opens up about a difficult 2020, when he lost his father and went through a divorce in the same year. He admits that he hasn’t really dated since his divorce, instead focusing on his children. However, he believes it’s time to “find love.”
It’s Time for the Limo Entrances
ABCIt’s time to meet the 23 women — and Cindy, 60, the first to greet Owens, certainly made a lasting impression. Other standouts included Carol, 63, who works in sports and lives in California, making this a potential match made in heaven. There’s also Carla, 62, who is ready to prove to Owens that age is just a number. In fact, many of the women didn’t hold back, calling him out directly for his controversial comments.
We love a clever limo entrance, and Peg, 62, did not disappoint. She came out in a bomb suit with a “love bomb” that went off between her and Owens. Thankfully, Peg worked with the Las Vegas firefighter department and bomb division, so she got it under control. Her energy might be exactly what Owens is looking for.
Fans were in for a surprise when Sandra, 77, stepped out of the limo, since she had already appeared on Gerry Turner’s season of “The Golden Bachelor.” However, she came to introduce Owens to her twin sister, Andra, 77. Andra is the oldest contestant this season.
As the women get acquainted with one another, Owens walks through the door and again apologizes for his podcast comments.
Cindy, the first woman to meet Owens, lands a first one-on-one with him. Their conversation centers around their children, and it goes great. He speaks to Carol about their love of sports, and she admits that she used to go to his Rams games in the 80s. How cool!
Owens speaks to Gerri, 64, who shares a heartfelt message from her daughter to him. It touches Owens deeply, and he shares, “My one-on-one with Gerri made a big impression on me.”
While playing a game of this or that with Cheryl, 66, the two share a kiss, the first of the night!
Who Gets the First Impression Rose? First Rose Ceremony Takes Place
ABCOwens takes Gerri for a private conversation, and she earns his first impression rose!
“There’s something very special about Mel, very special,” she shares with the cameras.
It’s time to hand out roses, 16 to be exact, plus Gerri, who is automatically safe. The women who end up going home on night one include:
Maia, 58
Susie, 62
Tracy, 62
Lisa, 66
Lily, 72
Andra, 77
After the tense first rose ceremony, the women head to the mansion, where host Jesse Palmer tells them that there will be a romantic one-on-one date and a group date. So, who gets the first date of the season? Cheryl, who is a retired IRS employee from Colorado.
The First One-on-One Date
With help from the other women, Cheryl gets all dolled up for her private date with Owens. But, as Owens waits for her, Nicolle, 64, jumps right up to him and kisses him just before his date.
But Owens has his eyes set on Cheryl when she walks into the room. In a confessional, Owens admits that he was “intrigued” by her, especially after her limo entrance, where she rode up on a dirtbike. Owens called it the “best entrance of the night.” The two have a date on the Queen Mary, and they discuss their children, families, and previous marriages.
“Cheryl is my type of girl, she’s adventurous, tough, funny, a little bit of a daredevil. That alone sets her apart from the other women,” he shares. We have a frontrunner!
After their date, Owens gives Cheryl a rose, and the two share a passionate kiss.
It’s Group Date Time!
ABCAll the women head to a football stadium where Palmer and Owens share that they will compete in a cheerleading competition. But, they’ll be getting help with the one and only, Paula Abdul, and the cheerleaders of the Los Angeles Rams.
The women are split into two groups, Mel’s Angels and Mel’s GB Squad, and they have to impress Owens, Palmer, Abdul, and an entire crowd with their performances. It’s pretty impressive to say the least! The group that does win and earns a date with Owens ends up being Mel’s GB Squad, which includes Gerri, to whom he gave his first impression rose.
Owens meets with each woman individually, but he ends up having what appears to be the best time with Cindy. She gets his rose and is safe from the next rose ceremony. “I feel like I have a future with Mel,” she admits.
A High-Stakes Rose Ceremony
ABCBefore another rose ceremony, the women have a fun-filled pool day with Owens, where he can get to know the women further.
Competition quickly sets in as the women do their best to leave lasting impressions on Owens. To no one’s surprise, Nicolle takes the opportunity to passionately kiss him in the pool in front of all the them. It’s awkward for everyone, with Owens even telling her to cool her jets.
It’s now time for the rose ceremony, where 4 more women will be going home. The women who are sent home are:
Diane, 71
Alexandria, 67
Carla, 62
Mylene, 61
A teaser for what’s to come shows several of the women falling for Owens, plenty of tears, and tons of competition.
New episodes of “The Golden Bachelor” season 2 air on Wednesdays, 8/7c, on ABC. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
