Latest news with #GerryTurner
Fox News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
‘Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens' ex issues warning for ladies after he refuses to consider anyone over 60
From controversial comments to sly remarks made by an ex, the leading man of "The Golden Bachelor" is already causing a stir. Mel Owens, cast as the ABC series' lead in April, recently took fans by surprise when he admitted his plans to cut any woman who is "60 and over." The retired NFL star's ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel, issued a stark warning to those women vying for his attention. "Good luck. I mean, it's going to be bad," Pimentel, who is 20 years younger than Owens, told the Daily Mail "But, anyway, I don't want to be involved in this." During an appearance on the "In The Trenches" podcast in June, Owens opened up about the age limitations he requested ahead of casting. "It's blind up until they get out of the limo. But they asked me, 'What's your preferences?' So, I just said 45 to 60, just being honest," he said. "And then the process went, and I was selected, right? And then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, 'You know, if they're 60 or over, I'm cutting them.' 'Oh Mel, you can't, you know, this is not the 'Silver Bachelor.' It's the 'Golden Bachelor.' He goes, 'But they're going to be hot, don't worry about it. Don't worry about it.'" During the first season of the show, the ladies vying for Gerry Turner's heart were between 60 and 75 years old. However, at the time of filming, Turner was 72. Owens is 66. Additionally, Owens said he expects the contestants to all be in good shape. "I had no resume, but they asked me, what is my, like, my profile?" Owens said. "Well, they got to be fit because I stay in shape. [They] should work out and stuff. And I told them, you know, try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs, you know, that kind of stuff, right? "Well, I don't think there are going to be artificial hips or wigs there, right? Because I know there's amazing women out there." The comments sparked outrage online. "It's fine, but just because men think it, do they have to say it? It's so cringe," one user wrote on X. "I don't even know why he agreed to it when the premise is literally people over 60 finding love," another wrote. Come were quick to come to Owens' defense. "All of sudden it's illegal to have dating preferences?" one user wrote on X. Franchise host Jesse Palmer told Us Weekly, "I've seen the headlines, obviously, because I'm on social media. We haven't started filming 'Golden' yet, so I haven't spent a ton of time with Mel. I know I'm gonna get to spend a lot more time with him pretty soon. I'm sure that's something we're going to talk about." Born and raised in a close-knit Midwestern family in Detroit, Owens transitioned to a career in law after retiring from the NFL in the '80s, according to a press release. "It was during this time that he met his first love, and together they had two sons," the release states. "While life took an unexpected turn with the passing of his father and the end of his marriage, Owens channeled his energy into being the best father he could be, focusing on raising his sons and coaching their extracurricular sports teams." According to the outlet, Owens and Pimentel were married for 17 years before Pimentel filed for divorce in 2020. They share two adult children. Pimentel, who married Owens in 2002, cited irreconcilable differences. The divorce was reportedly finalized in 2024. WATCH: 'GOLDEN BACHELOR' GERRY TURNER DATING NEW WOMAN SINCE CANCER LED TO DIVORCE FROM THERESA NIST While there have been rumors ABC has axed Owens as the leading man due to sudden backlash, Fox News Digital has learned that he is still very much the next "Golden Bachelor." According to the show's site, 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 … 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."
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Do Better.' ABC Is Under Fire After New Golden Bachelor Says He's ‘Cutting' Any Woman 60 Or Older
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Bachelor Nation is gearing up for the return of Bachelor in Paradise to the 2025 TV schedule, but it seems trouble may be brewing for another of the reality dating shows. The Golden Bachelor Season 2 lead Mel Owens went on a podcast earlier this month, where the 66-year-old said he told producers he wouldn't date any women over 60, and fans are calling on the network to 'do better' with its casting. Mel Owens, a former NFL player — who was cast to follow Gerry Turner as the second Golden Bachelor — went on the In the Trenches podcast on June 4, where he was asked how much control he had over the women cast for his season. He said he won't know anything about them until they exit the limos at Bachelor Mansion, but he said during the casting process producers asked him about the kind of women he wanted to date. Owens recalled: They asked me, like, 'What's your preferences?' So I just said 45 to 60, just being honest, right? And then the process went and I was selected. And then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, 'If they're 60 or over, I'm cutting them.' [He said] 'Oh no, you can't. This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.' He goes, 'But they're gonna be hot, don't worry about it.' Say what you want about Gerry Turner, but The Golden Bachelor's first season warmed viewers' hearts with its messages about hope and never being too old to find love, so as a longtime Bachelor Nation fan, I'm kind of surprised to hear that the Season 2 star apparently has a pretty specific age limit when it comes to who he'll date. It's unclear which producers he told this to, but it's disappointing to hear that they apparently knew Mel Owens has no interest in dating women his age and decided to cast him anyway. For context, none of The Golden Bachelor's cast members were under 60 in its premiere season, and The Golden Bachelorette had just one 59-year-old (Mark Anderson). Owens continued: I know they're gonna be beautiful, I know they are. But I had no say in them. I had no résumé. But they asked me what is my profile. Well they gotta be fit, because I stay in shape, work out and stuff. And I told him, 'Try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs,' you know, that kind of stuff. This definitely isn't a great look for ABC, and Bachelor Nation viewers are not taking these comments lightly. The Golden Bachelor's second season hasn't even begun filming yet, but already fans are speaking out about the decision to cast Mel Owens after hearing his comments on the podcast. On the official Instagram announcement made by ABC months ago, social media users are returning to comment on the latest developments, writing: Too bad he's a walking red flag before the season even started. Do better ABC! – Did you really keep telling us you are going to 'do better' with casting and then cast a Golden Bachelor who has said he would 'cut any woman 60+ on night one'? – sherrieatsplants This man is a walking red flag, and definitely doesn't signal to me personally that this franchise is interested in doing better… – Too bad he's not looking for a woman over 60 ☹️. I think for all the golden women who watch this show that's a real slap in the face. I for one won't be watching 😡 – kathy4more The Bachelor franchise has already been under fire the past few years, particularly over its casting of men (Golden and otherwise) who have had restraining orders against them or been involved in race-related scandals and other controversial behavior. In March, executive producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner exited the franchise amid accusations of a toxic workplace environment, and the 2025 cycle of The Bachelorette was canceled. Mel Owens' comments are a really tough pill to swallow. I don't want to see 40- and 50-somethings on The Golden Bachelor, but I also don't want the quarterback-turned-lawyer to pretend to date women he's not interested in. It's quite a pickle, but while we wait to see if ABC or Mel Owens addresses the comments, Bachelor in Paradise is set to premiere at 8 p.m. ET Monday, July 7, on ABC and streaming the next day with a Hulu subscription.
Fox News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens sets strict age limit for contestants despite producer pushback
The newest star of "The Golden Bachelor" has some strict criteria when it comes to choosing a life partner. During an appearance on the "In The Trenches" podcast, Mel Owens - who was cast as the ABC show's newest "Golden Bachelor" in April - admitted that he plans to cut any woman who is "60 and over" and was adamant that producers refrain from casting anyone with "artificial hips" and "wigs." "It's blind up until they get out of the limo. But they asked me, 'What's your preferences?' So, I just said 45 to 60, just being honest," Owens, the 66-year-old NFL veteran, said. "And then the process went, and I was selected, right? And then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, 'You know, if they're 60 or over, I'm cutting them.' 'Oh Mel, you can't, you know, this is not the 'Silver Bachelor.' It's the 'Golden Bachelor.' He goes, 'but they're going to be hot, don't worry about it. Don't worry about it.'" Additionally, Owens said he expects the contestants to all be in good shape. "I had no resume, but they asked me, what is my, like, my profile?" Owens said. "Well, they got to be fit because I stay in shape, should work out and stuff. And I told them, you know, try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs, you know, that kind of stuff, right." "Well, I don't think there are going to be artificial hips or wigs there, right? Because I know there's amazing women out there," Owens added. The first "Golden Bachelor," Gerry Turner, was 72 at the time of his appearance on the show. He met and married Theresa Nist, 70, but they divorced three months after tying the knot. The age range for the 22 contestants on the first season ranged from 60 to 75. Representatives for "The Golden Bachelor" did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. According to the show's press release, Owens was married for 25 years and has two sons. He hopes to find 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." "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," the press release reads.
New York Post
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
New ‘Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens, 66, faces backlash after saying he'll cut women over 60: ‘Just being honest'
Golden drama. The new star of 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 2, Mel Owens, 66, is facing backlash for saying he refuses to date women over age 60. The former Los Angeles Rams NFL star, who is now a lawyer, recently said on the 'MGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen' that he told producers his preferred age range is '45 to 60, just being honest.' He added that he relayed the message to producers, 'If they're 60 or over, I'm cutting them. This is not 'The Silver Bachelor,' this is 'The Golden Bachelor.'' 5 Mel Owens. Disney According to Owens, the producer told him, ''You can't use the word cut.' I go, 'Well, that's an NFL term.'' Owens, who played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981 to '89, also said that he requested that the women had 'to be fit, because I'm staying in shape and work out and stuff. And I told them [to] try and stay away from artificial hips and the wigs.' Owens was married to Fabiana Owens from 2002 until she filed for divorce in 2020. Together with his ex-wife, Owens has two sons, Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18. 'The Golden Bachelor' is a spinoff of 'The Bachelor' franchise following older people in their 'golden years' looking for love. His comments faced swift backlash. 'He doesn't seem like the type for 'in sickness and in health'' one fan said on X, formerly Twitter, while another slammed him, 'Awful. I won't watch with a jerk in the lead.' Another person remarked, 'Sounds like a real winner. Shocking ABC doesn't care that they're going to make women fight over a shallow sexist jerk.' 5 Women in their 'golden years' on 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 1. ABC Another comment read, 'doesn't sound like much of a mystery as to why he's still a bachelor. Anyone who chooses to go on that show deserves whatever disaster they get,' while someone else sarcastically said, 'He's single? Shocking. Very shocking.' The Post reached out to reps from ABC and 'The Golden Bachelor' for comment. This is just the latest scandal for the spinoff of 'The Bachelor' franchise. Season 1 of 'The Golden Bachelor' followed Gerry Turner, 72, as he looked for love. After he chose Theresa Nist, 71, and married her in January of 2024, the short-lived couple divorced just three months later. 5 Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner on 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 1. ABC via Getty Images While Turner claimed they divorced because he was diagnosed with a blood cell cancer, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, Nist denied that claim in an interview earlier this month. 'It was a zero factor, zero. Absolutely. I was just so surprised that he even said that,' Nist said on 'The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast.' She added, 'I knew about the cancer a long time ago. And the way Gary presented it to me was that, 'The doctor said that I'm going to die of old age before this cancer gets to me.'' Turner also caused controversy during the show when a story emerged alleging that he lied about not dating after his wife's death. 5 Gerry Turner, the 'Golden Bachelor' on Season 1. Brian Bowen Smith/ABC That wasn't Turner's only scandal. Shortly before the 'Golden Bachelor' finale in November, a woman, who went by the name of Carolyn, told the Hollywood Reporter that Turner flirted with her for three months after his wife passed, and he asked her to move in with him in 2018. Their relationship, however, fizzled out in 2019 when Turner allegedly dumped her after she gained 10 pounds mere months before his high school reunion. 'I'm not taking you to the reunion looking like that,' Carolyn claims Turner told her. Turner denied the accusations, saying that he doesn't 'have time to think about some of the other stuff.' 'I guess I haven't really looked at it as how accurate it is,' Turner told the New York Times, adding he's only given the article a 'cursory look.' 5 Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist on 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 1. The Walt Disney Company 'I've more looked at it in terms of timing, and how it really doesn't fit with all of the positive things that are going on in my life right now.' An official premiere date for 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 2 hasn't been announced yet, but it's expected to air in the fall.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Golden Bachelor's New Star Says He'll Cut Any Women Over Age 60 (He's 66, By the Way)
The Golden Bachelor celebrates finding love in your golden years — but the new star isn't interested in dating anyone his own age. Mel Owens, the leading man of the upcoming season of ABC's senior dating show, warned an executive producer about the women on his season, 'If they're 60 or over, I'm cutting them,' he tells the sports podcast In the Trenches. He adds that during the casting process, he told producers he preferred women aged '45 to 60… just being honest.' (Owens, for the record, is 66 years old.) More from TVLine Scott Speedman to Star in RJ Decker Pilot at ABC - What Does This Mean for Grey's Anatomy? Casting News: Chicago Fire Adds On Call's Brandon Larracuente, Shane Gillis to Host ESPYS and More NBA Finals Ratings: OKC Thunder's Game 7 Win Tops 16 Million Viewers, Most-Watched Finals Game in 6 Years 'This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor,' Owens declares, while noting that when he's looking for a woman to date, 'they've got to be fit, because I stay in shape and work out and stuff. And I told [the producers] to try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs.' (TVLine has reached out to ABC for comment.) The Golden Bachelor, which debuted in the fall of 2023, is a spinoff of ABC's Bachelor franchise that typically features singles age 60 and over. (The women competing on Owens' season have not been announced yet.) Season 1 saw star Gerry Turner propose to Theresa Nist, but the two split up after just three months of marriage. Owens was a star linebacker at the University of Michigan and was drafted ninth overall in the first round of the 1981 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He played nine seasons for the Rams and then switched gears after retirement, passing the bar and becoming a lawyer based in Orange County, California. Owens got married and had two sons, but he and his wife later divorced. Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor, starring Owens, airs Wednesdays at 9/8c this fall on ABC; a premiere date has not yet been set. Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
