Mel Owens was announced as the lead of eligible men from The Golden Bachelorette. Mel is a newcomer to Bachelor Nation, and he follows in the footsteps of Gerry Turner, who led the series’ inaugural season in the fall of 2023.

While Gerry captivated fans with his heartwarming tale of finding love after widowhood, viewers grew wary as the finale neared. Questions arose about Gerry’s past, including whether he'd misrepresented his employment and dating history following the death of his wife. Although Gerry ended up marrying Theresa Nist, the couple divorced just months later. Considering the scrutiny Gerry faced, it’s understandable that fans want to know as much as possible about Mel’s background before getting invested in his story.

Mel Is A Former NFL Player & Current Lawyer

His Career Is Based In California

Mel, 66, is a former football player who got his start playing for the University of Michigan. He was drafted by the NFL and became a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams. Mel’s career with the Rams lasted from 1981 until his retirement in 1989.

Following the end of his NFL career, Mel shifted his focus and became a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch. He later obtained his law degree from the University of California at San Francisco before becoming a founding partner at the Orange County-based law firm Namanny, Byrne & Owens. According to ABC’s press release, Mel’s experiences with football inspired his legal career, where he helps “those seeking justice for sports-related injuries.”

Mel's Ex-Wife Is Fabiana Pimentel

Mel & Fabiana Divorced In 2020

Mel was married to his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel, for 25 years. His ABC bio states that Mel met Fabiana, described as “his first love,” while he was working as a lawyer in Orange County. Hollywood Life reports Fabiana initiated divorce proceedings in February 2020.

Mel’s journey on The Golden Bachelor will differ from those of Gerry and The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos, who were both widows. While Mel hasn’t experienced this, he will likely still face complex emotions about moving on after such a long marriage. It’s unclear whether Mel has been in a serious relationship in the five years since his divorce.

Mel Is A Family Man

He’s A Father Of Two

Mel and Fabiana share two sons. Like many previous Golden contestants, Mel makes sure to prioritize his children. ABC writes that after his divorce, Mel “channeled his energy into being the best father he could be, focusing on raising his sons and coaching their extracurricular sports teams.” Mel’s sons will likely play a large role in his search for love, as he will want to ensure his new partner fits seamlessly into his life with them.

As Mel looks towards his future, he has the opportunity to reshape the series for the better, and hopes are high that he will walk away with a lasting relationship.

Mel has big shoes to fill following the success of The Golden Bachelor season 1. However, he also likely learned from Gerry’s mistakes. As Mel looks towards his future, he has the opportunity to reshape the series for the better, and hopes are high that he will walk away with a lasting relationship.

The Golden Bachelor is available to stream on Hulu.

Sources: ABC Entertainment, Hollywood Life