America’s new favorite grandpa Mel Owens just made waves with his steamy and controversial. When it first came out, he was in hot water because of statements that he’d made about how young backers of a specific candidate, his top choice. During an episode of the “In the Trenches” podcast in June, Owens specified that he favored women aged between 45 and 60, stating, “You know, if they’re 60 and over, I’m cutting them.” These comments sent shockwaves and outrage across the country and created a massive backlash from fans and competitors of the show.
In response to the widespread condemnation, Owens said he was sorry. On a recent episode, to get ahead of the damage he caused, he gathered four women together to address the aftermath of his comments. Among them were Gerri, 64; Carla, 62; Diane, 71; and Alexandra, 67. During the public meeting, he turned to these women and asked if they’d be willing to “forgive me.” He told us his longing for restoration when he prayed, “let me make amends.”
Owens kicked off his reign on “The Golden Bachelor” by giving the first impression rose to Gerri from Rockville, Maryland. This decision opened the door to his acceptance of contestants beyond the types he claimed to prefer. His emotional bond with Gerri was very clear, as he was moved to tears by her family history shared during their conversation.
Diane, a politician, librarian, & Alaska hockey player from Wasilla, Alaska directly challenged Owens over his podcast comments. She poignantly questioned, “What the puck was that interview on that podcast?” showcasing her disbelief at his earlier comments. Furthermore, Diane added humor by saying, “Stick with me, I’ll keep you out of the penalty box,” indicating her intention to help him navigate the situation.
Carla, a former model from Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of breaking stereotypes surrounding older women, stating, “We are here to break all of your stereotypes about women over 60.” Alexandra, a yacht saleswoman from Miami, reinforced this sentiment by declaring, “We (are) showing the world that people over 60 can continue being fun and funny and have fire inside.”
Owens took accountability for his mistakes during that podcast appearance. He admitted, “I was wrong. I replay it in my head a lot. I have regrets and I’m sorry for all the things I said in the podcast.” He further clarified his perspective on age by stating, “When they walk out, I’m not thinking (about their) age. I’m looking and feeling for connection. It’s the chemistry.”
Even with some of the miscommunication, unclear perceptions, and confusion, coming from his previous statements, Owens wants to keep things moving ahead in the right direction. His treatment of the contestants from the very first season onward shows a dedication to encouraging people to look past connections that are stifled by ageism.
