I Was Convinced That The Golden Bachelor Season 2 Lead Would Have A More Diverse Background (& I Think Mel Owens Is Problematic)

I know the Golden franchise got a redemption when they chose Joan Vassos from Gerry's season as the lead for the pilot season of The Golden Bachelorette. Joan was likable, available, and down to earth. Joan found love and became engaged to Chock Chapple by the end of season 1, and they are still together in pre-marital bliss. Looking ahead to The Golden Bachelor season 2, I would have liked to see a different kind of lead be chosen, but with Mel, I am not finding myself connecting with him. Plus, there are several things about him I find troubling.

The Golden Bachelor Season 2 Lead Mel Owens Is Already Famous

He Was A Football Star

The Golden Bachelor season 2 lead Mel is originally from Detroit. He is a 66-year-old Sagitarius man who is a former Professional Footbal Player in the Linebacker position. Mel went to the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1980, and after earning All-Big Ten recognition, he was drafted ninth overall in the 1981 NFL Draft Los Angeles Rams. His professional career in the NFL spanned from 1981-1989 with the Rams. After retring from the NLF, Mel went to law school and eventually opened up his own firm where he specializes in workers' compensation, sports law, sports injuries, and disability benefits.

The Golden Bachelor will catapulpt Mel's stardom and reignite the fame he had during his NFL days, which could be his incentive. While I do commend Mel for his accomplishments, I feel that putting him as lead takes away from a better-suited pool of Golden people.

I didn't want to watch someone who is already famous in their own right, when there were other routes to take in casting.

What's more, the contestants could be enamored by Mel for his past fame and football prowess, and not his heart.

The Golden Bachelor Needed A More Diverse Lead

I Think Better Representation Would Have Been Wise

the golden bachelorette cast, with men gathered around in casual clothes

The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchises have endeavored to showcase more diverse leads, but that doesn't seem to be a goal or priority for the Golden franchise. I think the Golden network is missing a positive opportunity to give a platform to someone with a more diverse background, and it's a shame. Don't get me wrong, production had their reasons for casting Mel that remain to be seen as viewers get to know him.

But from the outside looking in, there was a lot of room for them to showcase multiculturalism, but that could come via the contestants.

I Don't Think Mel Owens Is Ready For Another Marriage

Mel Is A Divorced Lawyer

the golden bachelor star mel owens in a brown shirt with another pic of younger Mel in his football uniform

Mel is a divorcee, having been married to his ex-wife Fabiana Pimentel, for 25 years.

The pair divorced in 2020, and I don't think it's a good sign that he gave up on such a serious and long-term responsibility.

Moreover, it's unclear if Mel has been dating in the last five years since his divorce. I know that Gerry and Joan were both widows, and while I didn't think The Golden Bachelor season 2 lead needed to also be a widower, I was dismayed that he was such a recent divorcee.

There Were Better Golden Bachelor Season 2 Options

Charles Ling Was The Obvious Choice

I am also sour over Mel's choosing as The Golden Bachelor season 2 lead because there were better options. Bachelor Nation typically chooses their lead from the past counterpart's season's contenstant. Meaning, Joan was chosen from The Golden Bachelor season 2, and so The Golden Bachelor season 2 lead should be chosen from Joan's Golden men. However, this didn't happen, and I think it was mistake. There were several charismatic and diverse contestants who I would have liked to see as the lead over someone unknown and not diverse.