It’s just about time for Mel Owens to start handing out Golden roses.
ABC announced the cast for season 2 of The Golden Bachelor on Thursday, September 4, with the women ranging from 58 to 77 years old. Bachelor Nation has been curious about the casting for the second installment of the senior franchise after leading man Mel, 66, came under fire for remarks about “cutting” any women over 60 from the show. He addressed the scandal in an interview last month after production had already begun.
“I had watched the first show when I was younger, when it first launched or something in 2002, until my son was born. But then when he was born, I didn’t watch it anymore,” Mel told Glamour. “So when these people talk about, ‘Hey, this season and that season,’ I didn’t know the age range because I wasn’t watching it. I’m thinking, to me, the age range was 45 to 60. That’s my age range. I’m thinking that’s the gold years for me. My reference, again, was when I was dating at 39, 40. I hadn’t dated in 26 years, so I had no clue.”
The former Michigan football player, who shares two adult sons with ex-wife Fabiana, revealed that the controversy will be addressed on screen. He also gushed about the women.
“[I was surprised] how active they are,” he told the magazine. “They’re brilliant. It’s shocking how brilliant they are. … There’s some wonderful women. They’re amazing. There are five [right now] that I really connect with, and I got to find out that they’re connecting with me. That’s the important part.”
The Golden Bachelor premieres on ABC Wednesday, September 24, at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll through to see the cast:
