Mel Owens' Dating Preference Sparks Debate: What's Next for The Golden Bachelor?

The Golden Bachelor franchise is stirring up some buzz, and not just because of the sun-soaked drama on Bachelor in Paradise. Mel Owens, the star of the upcoming second season, has found himself in hot water after sharing his thoughts on dating women over 60. He mentioned he'd prefer to date women between 45 and 60, and while some fans are up in arms, former contestant Kathy Swarts has come to his defense. Swarts, who made a splash on Gerry Turner's season, believes Mel might change his mind once he meets the right person. She's confident that Mel will be impressed by the fabulous women over 60 who might join the show. Swarts even joked that she might swoop in and steal Mel's heart herself! She thinks Mel's comments were just a slip of the tongue and doesn't believe he meant any harm. But not everyone is convinced. Some fans are worried that Mel's preference might cast a shadow over the spirit of The Golden Bachelor, which is all about celebrating love at any age. The franchise has already faced skepticism about the authenticity of its relationships, especially after high-profile breakups like Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist's short-lived marriage. The upcoming season is set to film this summer and air in the fall, but no premiere date has been announced yet. In the meantime, fans can catch up with some of their favorite Golden Bachelor alumni on Bachelor in Paradise, which airs on Mondays at 8 p. m. ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.