The Golden Bachelor was quite the phenomenon when it premiered in 2023, with Gerry Turner winning over even those who aren’t fans of reality dating shows with his wholesome yet tragic story of searching for love again after his wife’s death. Now, with a new season hitting the 2025 TV schedule this month, we’ll see Mel Owens on his own, very different journey. To that point, there’s one big distinction between the two leads, and I’m excited to see Season 2 tackle this topic.
Former NFL linebacker Mel Owens was named the lead of The Golden Bachelor Season 2, but unlike Gerry Turner in the first go-round, Owens isn’t a widower. The 66-year-old and his ex-wife, Fabiana Owens, 46, were married for 17 years before splitting in 2020. Their divorce was reportedly finalized in December 2024. Showrunner Jess Castro told EW this is an opportunity to explore new ground in the second season, saying:
