New Golden Bachelor Faces Backlash For Dating Preference Comments

There's a new Golden Bachelor headed to your TV screens very soon. Former NFL player Mel Owens has been tapped as the new frontman of the upcoming season, and former pro athlete turned lawyer has had a lot to say about his dating preferences.

Last week, Mel found himself in a bit of hot water when he got a little too candid about what he was looking for. He disclosed that, while he was looking for love, he was going to be particular when it came to women's ages and appearances.

Mel Was Blunt About The Type Of Women He'd 'Cut'

Mel recently made an appearance on the podcast "MGoBlue," where, as reported by ABC, he shared some of his more superficial preferences about the women he'd be going for on the reality TV show. He was candid in explaining who he likely wouldn't be giving a rose to:

They ask me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So I just said [ages] 45 to 60, just being honest. And then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’

Despite his blunt words, Mel did walk it back a little, adding some additional context to his conversation with the producer. He explained that the producer told him that eliminating based on age was something he wouldn't be allowed to do.

"[He told me that] this is not The Silver Bachelor. This is The Golden Bachelor.’ He goes, ‘But they’re going to be hot. Don’t worry about it.’” Mel also joked that, as a former NFL player, he was accustomed to using sports terminology, which is why he'd thrown around the word "cut" so casually.

Mel Faced Backlash For His Comments

It seems that Mel wasn't done voicing his preferences when he mentioned age. During the same podcast appearance, he also went on to say he needed his partner to be "fit:"

They asked me, ‘What is my profile?’ Well, [she's] got to be fit, because I’m staying in shape and work out and stuff. And I told them, ‘Try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs, you know, that kind of stuff, right?’

Fans of the show didn't take to Mel's words, which struck many as shallow and not the attitude they wanted to see in their leading man. Mel's demands for his future partner struck many as ironic, or even hypocritical, as he himself is 66-years-old.

Some fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with Mel's comments. At one point, the backlash appeared to be getting so severe that some viewers were even appealing to network ABC to recast him entirely.

Others voiced their concerns about Mel via social media platforms. "Mel Owens & @ABCNetwork @GoldenBachABC can take their ageist BS & shove it," wrote one unhappy fan. Still others used the opportunity to suggest other former cast members they wanted to see have a shot as the Golden Bachelor.

"@BachelorABC should recast Mel Owens immediately. We want Charles L for Golden Bachelor! But if that’s not possible, please at least give us someone who is actually interested in dating the cast of golden women who are 60+" wrote another. Fans of the show will recall that Charles L was a contestant from the original season of The Golden Bachelorette who quickly became a fan favorite for his authenticity and openness, especially with regard to losing his first wife.

As of now, Mel has not issued a formal apology for his remarks, and nor has ABC mentioned anything about recasting their lead. Currently, there is no set air date for the second season of The Golden Bachelor, so only time will tell when Mel will get a chance at love—and whether he intends to take things beyond the surface level.