The next Golden Bachelor has been announced, and it may not be who you suspect.
“The Golden Bachelor” first premiered in September 2023 as a spin-off of “The Bachelor,” but with senior contestants. Gerry Turner was at the helm of Season 1 and even married his winner Theresa Nist on live TV before the two split in April 2024.
“The Golden Bachelorette” followed shortly after and there were definitely some fan favorites to be the next Golden Bachelor, including Mark Anderson and Charles Ling.
During an event in Los Angeles on April 22, celebrating Disney’s reality TV shows, ABC and Hulu announced that the Season 2 lead of “The Golden Bachelor” would be Mel Owens.
So, who is the new Golden Bachelor? Here’s what we know about Mel Owens, when “The Golden Bachelor” will air and how to apply.
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Who is the new Golden Bachelor?
The next Golden Bachelor is Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former Los Angeles linebacker-turned-lawyer.
Who is Mel Owens?
Owens was born and raised in a close-knit Midwestern family in Detroit. He graduated from the University of Michigan and was selected as the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
After retiring from football, Owens pursued a career in law. He became a partner at an Orange County, California, law firm, helping clients with sports-related injuries and those seeking workers’ compensation.
This is when he met his first love, and they had two sons. His life took a turn when his father died and his marriage ended, but Owens worked to be the best father he could be, 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,” according to a news release from ABC. “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.”
When will ‘Golden Bachelor’ air?
There is no official date yet for when Season 2 of “The Golden Bachelor” will air.
More reality TV news: See made the Top 14 on ‘American Idol’ and who was eliminated
When does ‘The Golden Bachelor’ start?
“A premiere date will be announced at a later date,” according to the release from ABC.
‘Golden Bachelor’ application
If you would like to apply or nominate someone to be on the next season of “The Golden Bachelor,” you can fill out the application on bachelornation.com.
Questions include your annual salary, net worth, whether you’re genuinely looking for love and why, why you would want to find love on TV and your “ideal mate.”
Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on Bluesky @dinakaur.bsky.social.
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