It’s Wednesday night at Villa de la Vina, and the air is thick with anticipation—and, if you ask some contestants, a bit of suspicion—on the second season of ABC’s hit reality show The Golden Bachelor. With nine women still vying for the final rose from 66-year-old former NFL linebacker and attorney Mel Owens, the latest episode has delivered not just the usual blend of romance and rivalry, but a dash of drama that’s left viewers and contestants alike wondering: who’s really here for love?
Owens, who once roamed the gridiron for the Los Angeles Rams after being drafted ninth in 1981, is now searching for a second shot at happiness. According to USA Today, the show’s new episodes air every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, with fresh episodes streaming on Hulu the following Thursday. The season began just two weeks ago, but already 14 women have been sent home, leaving a diverse group from all corners of the country and all walks of life to compete for Mel’s affection.
This week, the spotlight fell squarely on Nicolle, a 64-year-old yoga instructor from Miami Beach. She’s no stranger to attention—last week, she stole the show (and a kiss from Mel) during a raucous comedy roast group date co-hosted by comedian Jared Freid. Her quick wit and undeniable chemistry with Mel earned her not only laughs but also a coveted rose, securing her place in the next round. “Mel and I already have a lot of chemistry, so I’m especially happy that I won this challenge, that he picked me out of all the women,” Nicolle gushed in a confessional, as reported by USA Today. “I’m just giddy at this point to share time with him.”
But beneath the surface, not all is rosy. In a candid moment captured by E! Online, Nicolle admitted to fellow contestant Roxanne that her ambitions extend beyond Mel. “I’ve told myself from the beginning, I’m not dating Mel,” Nicolle confessed. “I’m dating America. That gives you exposure like you’ve never had.” Seated with other hopefuls, she compared their potential fame to that of reality TV royalty, exclaiming, “We’re going to have Housewives status.” She didn’t stop there—Nicolle openly declared, “I would love to be more and more of an influencer.”
These revelations didn’t sit well with everyone. Cindy, a 60-year-old retired biomedical engineer from Austin, wasn’t shy about her concerns. “Nicolle, she has ulterior motives,” Cindy said in her confessional, as reported by E! Online. “That’s what most of us are talking about in front of and behind Nicolle.” Carol, 63, who manages the household for baseball all-star Freddie Freeman in Villa Park, California, was equally unsettled. “I don’t even know what to think,” she admitted. “It just rubbed me the wrong way.”
Amid the tension, Mel Owens remains focused on his quest for a life partner who matches his zest for living. On the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast last month, he described his ideal match: “Someone who has energy, great personality, active, adventurous, lifetime learner. But energy is a big deal.” Those traits, he hopes, will lead him to the kind of relationship he once enjoyed—Owens was married for 25 years before his divorce, and he shares two sons with his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel. According to a pre-season news release cited by USA Today, “While life took an unexpected turn with the passing of his father and the end of his marriage, Owens channeled his energy into being the best father he could be, focusing on raising his sons and coaching their extracurricular sports teams.”
The show’s format remains familiar, but the stakes feel higher with contestants ranging from 58 to 77 years old, each bringing a wealth of life experience—and, it seems, their own unique motivations—to the table. The cast includes everyone from retired firefighters and librarians to vineyard owners and fitness professionals, painting a vivid portrait of America’s golden generation. Yet, as the competition narrows, questions about authenticity and intent are bubbling to the surface.
Last week’s episode saw four more women leave the mansion, bringing the total number of eliminations to 14. Alexandra, a 67-year-old luxury yacht sales representative from Miami and one of two Floridian contestants, was among those sent home during the second rose ceremony. That leaves Nicolle as the last Floridian standing, her place now complicated by her on- and off-camera confessions.
Despite the drama, Mel’s connection with Nicolle has been hard to ignore. During their private date, the pair discussed their pasts—Nicolle sharing that she’d been divorced twice, but didn’t view those marriages as failures, and Mel opening up about his own heartbreak. “The time that I spent with Nicolle is very meaningful. The chemistry between us is good, and you can’t manufacture the chemistry and you can’t fight it... She’s definitely a person I could see in my life,” Mel reflected in a confessional, according to USA Today.
But as the rose ceremonies continue, the question lingers: will Mel choose with his heart, or will the whispers of ulterior motives sway his decision? The remaining contestants—Carol, Cheryl (66, retired IRS employee from Colorado), Cindy, Debbie (65, fitness professional from Denver), Gerri (64, home care agency CEO from Maryland), Peg (62, retired firefighter from Las Vegas), Robin (63, vineyard owner from Napa Valley), and Roxanne (62, nurse from Austin)—each seem determined to prove their intentions are pure.
For viewers, the intrigue is part of the draw. As Mel teased on Good Morning America ahead of the season premiere, “It’s going to be incredible. There’s a lot of twists and turns, and the women are great. So you gotta watch it for the women. They’re fantastic.”
With new episodes airing every Wednesday and streaming on Hulu the next day, fans will be watching closely to see not just who gets the next rose, but who is truly there for love—and who might be chasing something else entirely. As the golden years meet the golden hour, only time will tell whose motives will win out in the end.