Bachelor in Paradiseseason 10 andGolden Bachelorseason 1 star Kathy Swarts doesn’t believe thatGolden Bachelorseason 2 star Mel Owens really meant his ageist comments about women over 60, but she’s wrong.Kathy first appeared in Gerry Turner’sGolden Bachelorseason, during which she established herself as aBachelorNation legend.
When eventual winner Theresa Nist kept telling Kathy details about her relationship with Gerry,Kathy infamously told her to"Zip it.“Although this briefly made her into a villain, she quickly became a fan favorite, along with her best friend, Susan Noles. After the show, Kathy and Susan became the hosts of the podcast,Bachelor Happy Hour: Golden Hour.
Kathy and Theresa eventually became friends too, and Kathy even served as one of the Gold Carpet Correspondents at Gerry and Theresa’s Golden Wedding. Now,Kathy is aBachelor in Paradiseseason 10contestant. In the aftermath of the fallout of Mel’s ageist comments, Kathy shared her opinion about the new lead’s preferences.
What Did Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Say About Women Over 60?
Mel Made Some Offensive Ageist Comments
On theIn the Trenchespodcast, Mel, a 66-year-old NFL player-turned-lawyer, and divorced father of two teenage sons, made some controversial comments about the women of his season. He revealed that, before he was cast, he toldThe Golden Bachelorseason 2 producers thathe’d only date women aged 45 to 60, and that he’d"cut"anyone over the age of 60.
Mel also stated that he didn’t want anyone with artificial hips or wigs to join his cast. He faced fierce backlash for these ageist comments, withmanyGolden Bachelorfans demanding that he be fired from the show. They felt that his demands didn’t matchthe spirit ofThe Golden Bachelor, which is to help people in their senior years find love.
Reality Stevehad reported thatthere were rumors that Mel was going to be replaced as theGolden Bachelorlead, but nothing has been announced so far. Many fans have vowed to boycott the show if Mel continues as the lead because, while he has the right to date women of any age in real life, the whole point ofThe Golden Bacheloris for him to date older women, and not women in their 40s or 50s.
What Did Kathy Swarts Say About Mel’s Ageist Comments?
Kathy Made Light Of Mel’s Remarks
In an interview withEW, Kathy, who’s now 72 years old,made light of Mel’s ageist comments,even joking that he’d change his mind if he met her. She quipped,“I think that if Mel Owens met me — and I’m over 70 — that line would just not even be in his mouth. It’d be like, ‘Whoa, I never knew someone could be this fabulous over 60, over 70.'”
I think that if Mel Owens met me — and I’m over 70 — that line would just not even be in his mouth. It’d be like, “Whoa, I never knew someone could be this fabulous over 60, over 70.” I think he’s going to be just fine… I think Mel is a guy looking for love and I think he said something without really thinking about it. I don’t think he meant it. I think it’s going to be a great season. I personally can’t wait — unless I swoop in and take him away. In which case, show over!
Kathy also stated that she didn’t think that Mel really meant what he saidabout not wanting to date women over the age of 70. She said,“I think he’s going to be just fine… I think Mel is a guy looking for love and I think he said something without really thinking about it. I don’t think he meant it.”
Kathy also predicted that Mel’sGolden Bachelorseason would be a success, and even joked that she might attempt to join the cast and win. She said,“I think it’s going to be a great season. I personally can’t wait — unless I swoop in and take him away. In which case, show over!”
WhileKathy might believe that she could changeMel’s mind about older women, it’s very apparent that he knows exactly who he wants to date. If he was open to dating women over 60, then he wouldn’t have alienated women in that age group by mocking them.Kathy is wrong, and it won’t be a great season because so many people have so much resentment towards Mel.
Kathy Is Wrong About Mel
Mel Shouldn’t Be The Golden Bachelor
Although it’s possible that Kathy is right and Mel didn’t fully think through his comments, it’s much more likely that he meant every word that he said. The tone that he used when he talked about not wanting to date women over 60 seemed like he had his mind made up. Even if he’s changed his mind and is now open to dating older women,there’s no excuse for the way that he spoke about them in his interview.
Mel goes againsteverything thatThe Golden Bacheloris about. The show highlighted women over the age of 60, who are often invisible in society. The series broke new ground and showed just how vibrant senior women can be.Mel reinforced all of the negative stereotypes about older womenthat have caused people to write them off for so long.
The Golden Bachelorseason 1 only cast women aged 60-75, and Kathy was one of the seven women aged 70 or older. She was 70 at the time. She witnessed firsthand how vivacious women such as Ellen Goltzer, 71, and Sandra Mason, 75, were. Sandra even won a pickleball tournament with two artificial knees. In addition, 70-year-old Theresa wonThe Golden Bachelorover women who were ten years younger than her.
It’s shocking that Kathy would defend Mel by saying that he didn’t mean what he said, and that she even joked more than once about wanting to date him, when the show should’ve immediately recast the lead.Kathy is such a strong woman, soit’s disappointing that she wouldn’t condemn Mel for ruiningThe Golden Bachelorseason 2 before it starts.
Kathy should stop making excuses for Mel and other people like him, and realize that he meant every word he said.His ex-wife is 46, which means that she’s twenty years younger than him, proving that he likes younger women. This is fine in the real world, but not when someone is the lead of a show whose premise is dating in one’s golden years.
The Golden Bachelorseason 2 will most likely be a failure due to the fact that so many fans vowed not to watch because of Mel.It’s ironic that, as Kathy is continuing to break stereotypes onBachelor in Paradiseseason 10, she’s defending someone who believes in them. Although Kathy means well, and wants Mel to succeed,The Golden Bachelorshould recast its lead before it’s too late.
Bachelor in Paradiseairs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
The Golden Bachelorpremieres on Wednesday, September 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
