Mel Owens, the new Golden Bachelor, is facing fierce backlash after resurfaced podcast comments about cutting women over 60 overshadowed the season’s first group date, sparking emotional confrontations among contestants, forcing a shaky on-air apology, and leaving fans divided between outrage and curiosity over whether he can redeem himself.

The Golden Bachelor wasted no time diving headfirst into drama this season, and it’s all thanks to the man at the center of the show, 65-year-old retired attorney and self-described “hopeless romantic” Mel Owens.

Just days before the premiere, Owens ignited a firestorm when a clip from his podcast resurfaced in which he casually remarked that he would “probably cut women over 60” from his pool of contestants, suggesting that dating “younger” seniors would keep the show “lively.

” The comments, made months before filming began, drew immediate backlash from fans who accused Owens of being ageist on a series specifically designed to celebrate love in the golden years of life.

By the time Episode 2 aired on Wednesday night at 8 p.m.ET/PT on ABC and Hulu, the fallout had spilled into the mansion.

The season’s first group date, filmed in late July at a sprawling vineyard in Southern California, became the stage for a heated confrontation.

While the women were meant to enjoy a lighthearted wine-blending challenge, the mood quickly soured as whispers of Owens’ podcast comments reached the contestants.

Cameras captured the tension as several women openly voiced their frustration.

“Did he really say that? That women over 60 aren’t good enough for him?” asked 63-year-old contestant Marlene, visibly upset during a confessional.

“This show was supposed to be about breaking stereotypes, and instead he’s reinforcing them.”

Another contestant, 61-year-old schoolteacher Donna, didn’t hold back either.

“It’s insulting,” she told Owens directly at the vineyard table, wine glass in hand.

“You can’t say you’re looking for real love, then turn around and dismiss women because of their age.

That’s not love — that’s vanity.”

Owens, who had tried to deflect the controversy in interviews by claiming his words were “taken out of context,” attempted to explain himself on camera.

“I regret how that came out,” he told the group.

“What I meant was that I was hoping to date women who still felt adventurous and spontaneous, not that I wouldn’t consider someone just because of a number.

I realize now how badly that sounded, and I’m sorry.”

But the apology didn’t seem to land with everyone.

Several contestants exchanged skeptical looks, while others wondered if the damage had already been done.

Behind the scenes, production sources told ET that the moment was “electric” and that producers were “leaning into the real-life tension” to show that age doesn’t erase the complexities of dating and self-image.

The controversy has also spilled over to social media, where fans have been sharply divided.

Some argue that Owens should be replaced as the Golden Bachelor altogether, with one Twitter user writing, “Mel just disqualified himself.

Ageism on The Golden Bachelor? That’s a joke.

” Others, however, defend him, insisting that “everyone says dumb things on podcasts” and that Owens deserves a chance to redeem himself.

Interestingly, this is not the first time The Golden Bachelor has faced questions about inclusivity and representation.

Last season, lead Gerry Turner, who eventually proposed to Theresa Nist before the couple’s short-lived marriage ended in divorce, was praised for embracing the full range of ages among contestants.

ABC reportedly doubled down on casting women between 60 and 75 this season to ensure a “diverse and authentic” pool of candidates.

Owens’ remarks, therefore, struck a particularly raw nerve among fans who had celebrated the franchise’s shift toward meaningful representation.

Producers have yet to officially comment on the controversy, but insiders reveal that ABC is “monitoring audience reaction closely.

” Ratings for the premiere already exceeded expectations, drawing more than 6 million viewers, and the scandal may ironically boost interest in the show.

“Like it or not, drama sells,” one industry analyst said.

As for Owens, the backlash may haunt him throughout the season.

While some contestants seem willing to move past his misstep, others are less forgiving.

In a confessional filmed later that evening, 62-year-old widow Janice summed up the mood bluntly: “If Mel thinks he’s too good for women over 60, then maybe he’s not the Golden Bachelor we thought he was.”

What happens next remains to be seen.

Will Owens recover his image, or will his controversial comments become the defining storyline of the season? For now, one thing is certain: The Golden Bachelor has delivered the kind of scandal and drama that ensures fans will keep tuning in — whether they’re cheering for romance or waiting for a downfall.