Jesse Palmer Calls Out Mel Owens In ‘Golden Bachelor’ Promo

Jesse Palmer didn’t hold back in the latest promo for “The Golden Bachelor,” directly confronting the lead, Mel Owens, over his ageist comments that sparked major backlash online. In the clip, Palmer asks Owens if he’s truly open to dating women in their 60s, only to remind him of a resurfaced podcast appearance where Owens bluntly said, “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.” The unearthed remarks from Owens, who once played linebacker in the NFL, have reignited conversations around ageism in reality TV dating shows and cast a shadow over his search for love on “The Golden Bachelor” season.

In the teaser, Palmer greets Owens ahead of limo entrances and bluntly asks, “So I want to ask you about age, is that to you just a number?” Owens replies with, “Spirit has no age.”

But Palmer doesn’t let it slide. He pushes further, asking, “You are open to dating women in their 60s? Are you open to dating women older than you?” Owens responds, “Yeah, of course.”

That’s when Palmer drops the bomb. “Well, that’s not what you said on the podcast a few months ago,” before the promo cuts to upcoming scenes from the reality show.

Back in June, Owens made headlines for his blunt stance on the “In the Trenches With Jon Jansen” podcast. During the June 4 episode, the 70-year-old retired NFL linebacker told listeners: “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.”

He admitted that he told producers early on that his preference was for women between the ages of 45 and 60. “Just being honest,” Owens said. He even recalled a conversation with executive producers: “We had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’ [They said], ‘Oh no, you can’t. This is not ‘The Silver Bachelor,’ it’s ‘The Golden Bachelor.’ He goes, ‘But they’re gonna be hot, don’t worry about it.'”

The promo didn’t just spark headlines. It lit up social media with fan reactions praising the franchise for finally tackling Owens’ controversial remarks head-on. Comments flooded The Golden Bachelor’s official Instagram, with viewers saying this was the kind of accountability they’d been waiting for.

“SCREAMING that they actually called this man out on his foolishness directly,” one fan wrote. “This is the kind of accountability we’ve been begging for for years, Bachelor!! Thank you for finally getting it right!” Another echoed the sentiment, declaring, “Now this is what we’ve been waiting for!”

Others cheered on the women of the season for fearlessly addressing the matter themselves. “YESS COME ON LADIESSSS. I support women’s rights & wrongs,” one viewer commented with applause, while another joked, “Jesse in his Andy Cohen era of being direct—I love it.” Even older fans felt empowered by the moment, with one 60-year-old writing, “As a 60-year-old, I love this!!! Great job casting these women!”

Earlier this month, ABC unveiled the official cast for Season 2 of “The Golden Bachelor,” highlighting a group of singles ranging in age from 58 to 77. Contestants hail from all over the country, with hometowns spanning Miami, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, and Las Vegas. Their professional backgrounds are just as diverse, including a retired firefighter, an interior designer, a cosmetic dentist, a fitness professional, and more.

Notably, 21 of the 23 women vying for Mel Owens’ heart are over the age of 60.

The promo also teases how Owens’ comments are received by the women vying for his heart, and let’s just say, they’re not holding back. From limo entrances where contestants ask him “WTF?” to a roast-themed group date where the women relentlessly call out his ageist remarks, Owens finds himself on the defensive before the season has even begun.

“The Golden Bachelor” season 2 premieres on ABC on Wednesday, September 24, at 8 p.m. ET.