The new Golden Bachelor is Mel Owens, a 66‑year‑old former NFL player who later became an attorney and now lives in Orange County, California.

Who the new Golden Bachelor is

  • Name: Mel Owens.
  • Age: 66.
  • Background: Former NFL player who transitioned into a legal career after football.
  • Where he’s from: Originally from the Detroit area, now based in Orange County, California.
  • Show status: He is the lead for Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor , which premiered in September 2025.

Why he’s in the spotlight

Mel’s casting marked the franchise’s “Golden Era” return, following Gerry Turner’s original 2023 season.

Ahead of his season airing, he drew criticism for comments about preferring women significantly younger than himself, including remarks about cutting women “60 or older” and avoiding “artificial hips and wigs,” which later prompted apologies and controversy discussions among fans and commentators.

Quick context and fan chatter

  • Season 2 continues the seniors-focused dating format that started with Gerry Turner.
  • Online discussions and forums have focused on: his age‑gap preferences, whether producers leaned into controversy for ratings, and whether the show can still feel wholesome and romantic despite the drama.
  • Some viewers are hopeful the season will still deliver emotional, feel‑good moments similar to the first Golden Bachelor run, while others remain skeptical given the pre‑season headlines.

“Who is the new Golden Bachelor?” Right now, it’s Mel Owens at the helm, bringing an NFL‑to‑law‑to‑reality‑TV arc into the franchise’s latest chapter.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.