Breadcrumb Trail LinksTelevisionNFLPublished Jun 30, 2025 • Last updated 7 minutes ago • 2 minute readMel Owens attends the 2025 Disney Upfront at Javits Center on May 13, 2025 in New York City. Photo by Arturo Holmes /Getty ImagesArticle contentReviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.TV’s newest Golden Bachelor Mel Owens is under fire after making some controversial comments about only wanting to date younger women.Advertisement 2THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsArticle contentSome fans have called him out and demanded the show recast the NFL player-turned-lawyer before filming begins.Article contentArticle contentOwens, 66, who was a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams for nine seasons, was named the second-ever star of The Golden Bachelor in April.He appeared on the In the Trenches with Jon Jansen podcast earlier this month and spoke about producers asking him what kind of women he wanted to see cast on the show.“I just said, ‘45 to 60,’ just being honest,” Owens detailed.“The process ended and I was selected, and then we had lunch with the executive producer,” he continued.“I said, ‘If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,’” he continued.“[They said], ‘Oh no, you can’t. This is not The Silver Bachelor, it’s The Golden Bachelor. But they’re gonna be hot, don’t worry about it,’” they reassured him.Your Midday SunYour noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Article contentAdvertisement 4Article contentThe divorced father of two who, let’s reiterate, is 66 years old, added that he wants the women to be in tip-top shape — in more ways than one.Owens revealed he told producers that the bachelorettes “gotta be fit because I stay in shape, I work out and stuff.”He also advised them to “try and stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs.”Advertisement 5Article contentDuring the interview, Owens explained the casting process, including an initial hour-long phone conversation and a series of callbacks, before host Jesse Palmer showed up at his home in Orange County, Calif. where he lives with his two sons, to give him the good news.“He goes, ‘Hey Mel, I was just in the neighbourhood and I thought I’d stop in and say hi.’ That’s when they announced to me that I was the Golden Bachelor.”When asked why he wanted to be the Golden Bachelor, Owens said, “I like to try new things.”As for his ideal woman, aside from age and hair and both hips intact, Owens revealed he wants “someone who’s a lifetime learner, and enjoys to love life.”We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Play VideoHowever, once fans got word of Owens’ requirements, many responded how “disappointed” they were in ABC for casting him and have removed the show from their watch list.Advertisement 6Article contentThere’s even a hashtag, #boycottmelowens, that is being thrown around social media.“Very disappointed and probably won’t watch again because of this,” one person wrote.Read More 'Golden Bachelor' couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announce they are divorcing ‘THE ONE THAT WORKS’: Bill Maher defends dating younger women Dallas Cowboys coach gets engaged to much-younger model girlfriend “Loathe loathe loathe hate entirely,” a second person added, while a third user declared to the star, “Get over yourself.”Another called Owens “Midlife Crisis Bachelor,” while one user asked, “Have we accepted that this guy is a PR nightmare yet?”The Golden Bachelor’s premiere date has yet to be announced.Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings