The Golden Bachelor’s Mel Owens: ‘If Peg Had Left, I Would Have Gone After Her’

The Golden Bachelor gave us quite the finale on Wednesday night as Mel and Peg chose each other, and Cindy self-eliminated prior to the Fantasy Suites. There was no proposal—there wasn’t even a declaration of “I love you”—but in some ways, this may have been the most normal ending we’ve seen on the show.

After five weeks of both one-on-one and group dates, Mel wasn’t ready to propose to anyone. Many called into question why he would even go on the show in the first place (never mind the podcast comments) if he wasn’t ready for marriage, but I give him credit for not leading anyone on or being someone he’s not. When Cindy decided to go home prior to the Fantasy Suites because Mel couldn’t give her the commitment she wanted, he didn’t go after her. He certainly didn’t try to convince her to stay, either.

And when Mel told Peg that Cindy was gone, he also didn’t make false promises to her, either, just because she was the last one standing. Instead he wanted to introduce Peg to his sons and best friend, Diane, because in a normal relationship that’s just what you do. Sure, it felt a little funny when he said goodbye to Peg at the end of the day and said, “Tomorrow we’ll celebrate.” But then again, that’s only because we as Bachelor Nation have become accustomed to larger-than-life, unrealistic endings. (One look at Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist—who have been majorly at odds following his book release—should tell you all you need to know.)

As Peg said, “I’m not for everybody, and he’s not for everybody, but we»re for each other.” Mel also gave Peg a Neil Lane ring as a sign of his commitment. And when Peg and Mel signed onto Zoom for their interview with Glamour less than 24 hours after the live finale, Mel said to me, “I told you I was going to get someone good.”

So what’s next for the Golden Bachelor couple? When did they even realize they were in love? And who do they think would be the best choice to follow in Joan Vassos’s footsteps as the next Golden Bachelorette? Below, they answer all that and more.

Glamour: Congratulations to you both! Mel, you weren’t kidding about the fireworks, literally and figuratively. You’re in love, too, but we didn’t hear those words until the “After the Final Rose” live taping. So when did you guys know you were in love, and when did you first say those words to each other?

Peg Munson: Well, I knew I was growing in love with him during this whole journey. So it was one day at a time, and it was just opening up my heart and my mind to allow that to happen naturally. It wasn’t just one day, like, “Boom! I’m in love with you.” It’s time. It takes time to get to know somebody, and it takes time to fall in love with somebody. It was a progression for me.

Mel, what about you? When did you first say “I love you” to Peg?

Mel Owens: When I first met Peg, I had a crush on her. It was almost that instantaneous electricity and a connection, and then it grew over time. By time we were on the island in Antigua, and then we went to the little island, I realized, I’m in love with her. I just became infatuated with her, and I had a crush on her, and it’s still growing.

I have to say, while we love a grand gesture or a proposal, I think you guys probably did it the smartest way. You’re in an accelerated timeline, and you’ve only known each other for about five weeks, so don’t rush the feelings. You might’ve done it the smartest way of any couple on this show. Do you feel that?

Peg: We appreciate that. We really appreciate that.

Mel: It’s because I’m a Michigan guy!

Peg: He’s a smart guy. He’s a smart guy.

Speaking of smart people, Peg met Diane during the family visit with your sons. Is this the same Diane that you mentioned in our first sit-down interview, the one who kind of schooled you on the aftermath of the podcast?

Mel: Yes, she’s the most reasonable person I’ve ever met. She’s just so reasonable. She’s deputy commissioner of the Big 10. She’s the attorney, spokesperson, and media person. She put together billion-dollar deals for TV. And she’s a reality TV junkie, too, which I didn’t even know until she was setting me straight. But she gave me good counsel. She really did.

Before we get into what’s next for you and Peg, I want to go back to that night on the dock with Cindy when she decided to go home. I personally think that at that moment, you knew then that Peg was your person. Otherwise you would have tried to convince Cindy to stay. Am I wrong in assuming that?

Mel: I had a deeper connection with Peg. I just did. Had it been reversed and [Peg left], I wouldn’t have let her go. I would’ve told her, “Hey, look, stay here because we’re going to work it out.” Cindy didn’t even utilize the Fantasy Suite, which she could have, but that’s okay. She had her own decision to make, her own prerogative. My connection with Peg was much stronger, and your intuition was correct.

I love that. “I wouldn’t let you go.” Look at you, Mr. Romantic!

Mel: Peg’s the best gal ever.

You bring out such a spark in one another. There’s a playfulness and youthfulness there. So let’s talk about Thanksgiving plans. Where will you be, and how do you plan on making this work in terms of going back and forth between Las Vegas and Orange County?

Peg: Well, the nice thing about being in our golden years is we get to do things [according to our timeline]. Thanksgiving, we’re going to be in Detroit. We’re going to be in Ann Arbor, and then Christmas we’re going to be in Rio. We’re going back to Vegas for his birthday. Then we’re going to the Super Bowl in San Francisco. We have a lot on our plate. It’s time to live life and enjoy life.

Mel: She left out one thing. When we go to Ann Arbor, Michigan, we’re going to go to something called Hob Nobble Gobble. It’s a big gala, bigger than the Emmys, and that’s in Michigan. Before that we’re going to Toronto and Montreal; we’re going to be in Detroit for Hob Nobble Gobble, and then also the Michigan and Ohio State game. And then back for my birthday to Vegas. She’s taking me to The Sphere to see one of my favorite movies of all time, The Wizard of Oz.

Peg: It’s go time for us.

I want to ask one more thing about Cindy: Peg, did you get a chance to talk to her last night, or did they keep you separate?

Peg: No, I haven’t seen her. After the finale last night, we went to dinner with a few of our other friends. I just wanted something very low-key, something peaceful, so the girls—the ones that I connected with—we just went and had a good dinner. I love Cindy. She’s beautiful, she’s smart, she’s vivacious, she’s very well-spoken, and she’s got a prerogative to live her life and find the love that works for her. It doesn’t make her right. It doesn’t make her wrong. Hats off to her because she knew what she wanted. She’ll find it. She really will. She will find that person that wants to be married quickly. There’s nothing wrong with that. I love her dearly, and I hope that she definitely finds that for herself.

So who’s your pick, then, for the next Golden Bachelorette?

Peg: Debbie!

Mel: My opinion, it would be Debbie. With my experience with her, she was the most authentic, sincere, honest person. I think she can carry the show too because of her background doing the workout videos and stuff. I think she’d be a great person.

Peg: 100% Debbie. She embraces everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly of herself, which we all have. I love that about her. She doesn’t try to hide parts of herself. “This is who I am. You love me or not, but this is who I am.” That just makes her such a special human being. I’m really rooting for Debbie.

Lastly, how active do you both plan to be on your social media now? Will we see life going forward with Mel and Peg?

Peg: We’ve already posted. We posted last night. Go on there. It’s a lot of fun.

Mel: There’s a lot of fun to come, too!

Peg: We plan to share that with everybody.

Mel: The Hob Nobble Gobble parade is about a week before Thanksgiving, and the same people who put on the Hob Nobble Gobble do the Detroit Parade, which is the second-largest one outside of New York. So we’re going to do the parade as well. It’s going to be crazy.

You better be on a float.

Peg: Oh, that would be fun. That’s really fun.

Mel: I want to go on the float, but they said, “We can’t have people taking away from the float. We want the float to be a float.” But we could walk with it, though.

Peg: I want my own firetruck float.

Just think how much more publicity the float or the fire truck would get with the two of you on it. They’ve got to get their float priorities in order.

“BETRAYAL BEFORE THE ROSE”: Mel Owens CONFESSES He Had NO INTENTION of Getting Engaged Days Before the Finale, Leaving Heartbroken Peg Feeling USED, HUMILIATED as Fans ACCUSE Him of Playing With Her Emotions and Wasting Everyone’s Time

Mel Owens is facing questions following the dramatic exit from one woman on The Golden Bachelor.

During the intense confrontation between the pair in the season 2 finale on Nov. 12, Cindy, 60, called the former NFL player, 66, out for misrepresenting his intentions in the relationship.

Earlier in the episode, Cindy left ahead of their overnight date after Mel revealed that he didn’t see himself getting engaged for “two years” — just days before the final rose ceremony.

“I really thought it was you, and I’m just disappointed that you got that far without helping me understand that you weren’t ready for a commitment,” she explained. “Not just me, but all those women that you brought along this journey. When did you know that you weren’t ready for something?”

“I was ready,” Mel replied. “But we had a time there where we were sitting there talking, and it just wasn’t finished. My heart and my head just wasn’t there to give you those answers yet. But we still had the Fantasy Suite, which I guess you weren’t prepared to go into, not just for any intimacy, but just to talk. And that would have given us a lot more time, but that never happened. We didn’t get the extra time to talk behind the scenes, no cameras, no mics, just a talk.”

Cindy and Mel Owens.Disney/John Fleenor

Cindy, seemingly frustrated, noted that she didn’t want to spend the night with Mel when he couldn’t tell her how he felt about their future despite her multiple attempts to get him to open up. He saw things differently.

“What you wanted was a proposal,” Mel stated. “But there’s another person there. You just can’t leapfrog over that person, I say it’s you and it’s over. It wasn’t over. There was someone there. So you have to continue the journey. Like I told you before, it’s gonna take time. Just like the saying, ‘First comes love, then comes marriage,’ right? And then ‘baby carriage’ just won’t happen. But, you know the saying, that’s how it works.”

He added: “We talked about the leap of faith. I don’t operate that way in my life. I don’t go from here to getting married.”

However, Cindy insisted that while she and Mel “weren’t aligned,” she was still surprised that he didn’t tell her more clearly that he was not ready to get engaged before getting to that point in the relationship.

“I was in it for a commitment at the end, and I didn’t feel like I would get it from you,” she told him, going on to highlight that he didn’t seem ready to do that with anyone, whether or not it was her that he chose in the end.

“You wanted the commitment before the process, before the journey,” Mel quipped. “You wanted to do a commitment like we’re going to get married. I wasn’t there. My heart and my head wasn’t there. That’s why you had that extra time in the Fantasy Suite to talk things out. You never got there. You decided to leave and that’s your prerogative.”

Mel Owens and Cindy.Disney/John Fleenor

Calling his feelings for Cindy “straightforward,” Mel reiterated, “I don’t take leaps of faith” like Cindy wanted him to.

“I don’t go from knowing a person to getting married,” he said. “This doesn’t happen in my life, that you wanted to get married without the time in between. This wasn’t me.”

Cindy still insisted Mel wasn’t hearing her concerns: “I’m a very wise woman. I’m not getting married. There was no wedding at the end of this week. There was a hope for a commitment and to take this fairy tale into a happily ever after. That’s what I was looking for.”

“I want you to know I loved you so much, that I want you to be happy with or without me,” Cindy concluded. “I mean that. I really want you to be happy. You’re a great guy.”

The Golden Bachelor is available for streaming on Hulu.

Golden Bachelor fans say runner-up Cindy Cullers is the ‘real winner’ after dumping Mel Owns on ‘disappointing’ finale

GOLDEN Bachelor fans have applauded runner-up Cindy Cullers for dumping Mel Owens and expressed their disappointment over the finale.

Mel didn’t have to choose between the final two ladies, Cindy and Peg Munson, as one ended up walking away from the former athlete.

Golden Bachelorette fans applauded runner-up Cindy Cullers for dumping Mel Owens in the finaleCredit: ABC

Mel ended the season with Peg Munson after Cindy voluntarily left before he could make his decisionCredit: ABC
The episode picked up where it left off two weeks earlier, with Cindy and Mel having a serious discussion about their future during their date in Antigua.

Cindy admitted she questioned Mel’s true feelings for her and whether he was ready for a commitment and a proposal.

Mel seemed to confirm her fears, as he revealed he most likely wouldn’t be popping the question during the season finale, as he was still torn between his feelings for her and Peg.

Cindy then made the difficult decision to end their romance, and she walked away in tears.

Mel later recapped what happened to Peg, who agreed she was still interested in getting to know the former NFL star.

After meeting his sons and best friend, Diane, and receiving the stamp of approval, the couple solidified their relationship in a romantic beach setting.

Instead of a proposal, Mel gifted Peg a massive diamond “promise ring” and asked her to continue their journey and see how the relationship progresses, to which she accepted.

Mel reunited with both ladies during the After the Final Rose special, hosted by Jesse Palmer.

He and Cindy shared their final peace, with Cindy revealing she’s happy that Mel didn’t try to convince her to stay.

She further noted that the pair “didn’t align,” and wanted different things from the experience, but there were no hard feelings.

Fans praised Cindy for expressing what she wanted and not settling for Mel when she realized they weren’t on the same page.

“The biggest WINNER on The Golden Bachelor is Cindy. Good for her, for not settling for Mel & his indecision. It took a lot to walk away. ABC: There is your next Golden Bachelorette,” one person wrote on X.

“Dodged a bullet, Cindy-dodged a great big bullet,” said another.

“That was brutal. The only good thing that happened was that Cindy handled the situation on her terms.

“She deserves someone who wants a commitment, not saying they want to wait two years to see what happens! She deserves someone incredibly special,” a third reacted.

Viewers also shared their frustrations with the “boring” finale, especially after Mel and Peg seemingly dodged questions about a possible proposal and wedding in their future.

“This is so boring I actually went and did laundry,” one fan admitted.

“I have never been so happy for a season to be over,” a second remarked.

“This is not getting me excited for her season. Sorry abc, it’s not working,” a third commented.

Despite their smiles onstage, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that there’s already trouble in paradise between Mel and Peg, according to a source.

The insider also revealed that the duo planned to come out as a “united front” for the live show to ensure fans didn’t sense that their relationship was on the rocks.

Mel and Cindy reunited on the After the Final Rose special, where they said their peace after several months have passedCredit: ABC

Mel didn’t propose to Peg, but gifted her a massive diamond ‘promise ring’

A source exclusively told The U.S. Sun that there’s already trouble in paradise between Mel and Peg and they put on a ‘united front’ for the camerasCredit: Getty

“FANTASY FINALE”: Mel Owens FINALLY Finds Love With Peg in Explosive Golden Bachelor Ending That Has Everyone Talking

It was finally time for the big “Golden Bachelor” finale! Would we finally see some emotion out of Mel? We hoped so! The show began with a look back at Mel and Peg’s conversation where she tried to find out his feelings for her. He gave her very little in that moment, but he told the cameras that he was developing feelings. Then, the show flashed over to Mel’s date with Cindy where she pressed him for his feelings. Would they even make it into the Fantasy Suite?

Jesse Palmer introduced the live show and there were several members of Bachelor Nation in the audience. Joan and Chock gave a quick update and said it has been almost a year since they found love with each other, they are still happy. Gerry was there with Lana. Jess and Spencer announced that in two weeks she would be moving to Dallas!

Gina: We love our Bachelor Nation alum!!

Back on Cindy’s date, Mel told Cindy that “of course” there is a will, but he is torn between her and Peg. Cindy said that she’s trying to not shutdown over the fact that he is torn. Mel said it could be a great story for the two of them to end up together in this location. “My heart tells me that I like you a lot,” Mel said. Cindy said she believes Mel, and she thinks they are well suited for each other. She’s just worried that there isn’t enough time. She asked him if he would be ready for a proposal and he said no, “It has to develop over time.” Cindy said, “It’s a different outcome than I considered.” He basically wants two years to figure it all out.

Mel then said, “You have a choice, too.” Cindy said she wants to behave as her future husband would want her to, and she said she wants her guy to “feel like he got struck by lightning” and can’t live without her. She doesn’t want to be put on hold. “I’m sorry, it’s not what I want,” Cindy said. Wow! “Are you ok, if I leave now,” Cindy said. With that she got up, and he walked her out and with their parting hug, she told him, “You’re a great man, Mel Owens.” She walked a little, then stood in the distance and cried on a bench. Then fireworks went off as they sat separately. Why did they still have fireworks?! That’s kind of rubbing it in, isn’t it? Then Mel came to the realization that he no longer had a choice, and he still wasn’t sure what to do.

Gina: Oh, Cindy. My heart goes out to you, girl. You could feel all her pain as she was saying goodbye. Also, Mel is “shocked” she left? WHY? You’ve given her no indication that you want her to stay!

Jesse Palmer then walked over to where Mel was sitting to see if he was ok and what he wanted to do. Jesse asked him the obvious question, didn’t you think that these women would want to be engaged? Mel said, “not all of them.” Mel said that he thought he might have been starting to fall in love. Jesse said that this is the part where a lot of people get scared. Mel seemed to think that Cindy was quitting. I probably would have thought he would have not let me leave if I was going to be the one. Jesse told Mel that he had to give them some validation. He then revealed that Cindy was still there and asked if he had the chance to talk to her again, would he want it?

Gina: Mel said he tells his sons to always stay in the game because you never know when it’s over and almost blamed her for leaving. But why? Because he “might” have been “starting” to fall in love? If you don’t have any feelings by this point, why would she want to stay?

Back on the live show, Jesse welcomed Cindy out! This was a shock. I thought we would see Mel talking to her first, but no, Cindy comes out looking incredible. She said she was glad to see the show played back because she started to question everything that happened in her mind, and she was right, Mel was giving her nothing. She said that he did not come find her after the dinner, and she didn’t want him to, her decision was made. “He did not want the kind of relationship that I did,” Cindy said. The best line she had was, “I don’t think I need to convince a man to love me.” And, she said about him saying she didn’t finish the game, “I was in the wrong stadium.” She is secure in her decision to end things.

Gina: I jumped off my couch and cheered when she said she didn’t need to convince a man to love her. She is absolutely right, they were definitely in separate stadiums. She is so lovely and I am glad that she stood up for herself the way she did.

Mel came out on the stage to see Cindy for the first time since their breakup. The complimented each other’s outfits and shoes and laughed a bit. But then, the tone shifted when Cindy asked him, “When did you know you weren’t ready for something?” Mel said that he was ready, but not finished and he couldn’t give her those answers yet. “We still had the fantasy suite,” Mel said. He added it was for the extra time to talk, not just intimacy. “You said more to Jesse than you did to me,” Cindy said. “What you wanted was a proposal, not the person there,” Mel said. “You had to continue the journey.” Cindy said, “I just operate differently than you and we just weren’t aligned and it took me by surprise because we had gotten so far.” She just didn’t feel like she would get a commitment at the end of it. Then she said to Mel that she truly did love him and that she thinks he is a great guy and she prays for him everyday and she wants him to be happy with our without her. Mel agreed with that sentiment. She said that her heart is open and she is ready to meet her future husband. Jesse agreed and said he knows the right guy is out there for her.

Gina: Mel seems to be mad at her for calling his bluff and leaving when he told her she had a choice. Cindy handled that in the exact right way. Also, Jesse telling her she is the embodiment of class told me a lot.

Peg is now the last woman standing. She’s excited to meet Mel’s boys. But, before she could do that, Mel visited her room to talk to her. He told her that his feelings for her won’t change no matter what happens. He reveals to her that Cindy left because she wanted a proposal and to get married and he was honest with her. “Before we even had our overnight she decided to leave,” Mel said. “Stop it!” Peg said. She was shocked and she didn’t know what to think. The fact that he couldn’t answer Cindy did worry Peg. She isn’t sure if he’s ready to commit to her or what he’s looking for as far as their future.

Gina: Yeah, girl! Keep that in your mind as you move along this process.

Mel’s college friend Diane, and his sons Andre and Lucas, were there to meet Peg! He was so happy to see all of them and it’s clear that he’s a really loving father. They were all shocked when he said there was only one woman left. He explained what happened and his sons were shocked but Diane said that she respected Cindy. Ha, even Diane agrees with Cindy! They were all impressed with the fact that Peg was a firefighter and on the bomb squad. His sons felt that she sounded like someone who could be a good match for their dad.

Peg gave everyone hugs and she was so excited to meet them all and see how Mel acts around them, if it brings out a different side of him. The boys asked Peg to go have a chat and they asked her what she thought about Mel, and she said she thinks that she is a lot like him and she respects the way she is with raising his sons. She played a word association game that she does with her daughter. The words described their dad and they had to pick one. They both agreed he is analytical, not emotional, but it’s in there if she digs. His sweet boys were nervous meeting Peg, but they felt a weight off their shoulders once they met her. They both really liked her! She seems to fit in really well.

Gina: The other word in the game that struck me was accountability over avoidance. It just feels like this whole season, he’s avoided tell anyone anything about his feelings!

Mel said that when she expressed how much she wanted to meet them, it made him realize that she could be the one. Getting the thumbs up from his kids really made him feel reassured about Peg. Diane and Peg had a chat and she said that she’s not falling in love yet, but that there’s the potential there. Hm, maybe they are on the same page! Diane said she hoped that Mel’s big heart was winning the battle and he could think with his heart more than his head.

Gina: Diane asked if he’s articulated her feelings. He says they had the time to really talk behind closed doors. My assumption after hearing that is that he just doesn’t want to admit anything on camera so it could be kinda thrown back at him in any way

It’s finale day and we saw Peg and Mel getting dressed for their big decision. Would they start a happily ever after together? Peg sure hoped so! Mel said he woke up feeling nervous, but he wants a partner he can share his life with. He said his painful divorce caused him to put up walls but the journey has taught him to get rid of those walls and take them down. Peg feels ready to love again, too! Peg took a boat ride over to Mel, and the salt water splashed on her beautiful satin dress! Mel’s face lit up when he saw Peg.

Mel told Peg that she looked beautiful and that “This is our time, this is us!” Peg said that she and her daughter made a vision board and one part of her love story still hasn’t been filled in, but now it could be. She said that in meeting Mel, she’s met her match. She said that she will trust him to take the wheel, “But I still have to drive the buggy!” Mel said that he’s learned about listening and loving. He then rattled off all the things he really values about Peg. Mel took out a diamond ring! “This represents our commitment to love and to figure out our future and what our future holds,” Mel said. “I agree!” Peg said. So I guess they aren’t engaged, just committed to love? And Mel said, “Will you accept this golden rose?” “Yes!” Peg said. Peg added that they aren’t for everybody, but they are for each other! Cute! OK – I am happy they ended up together, but no proposal?!?! Boo. Also – will they finally ever say I LOVE YOU?

Gina: You know what? I am not even surprised about how this came to a conclusion. We got as much as we were ever gonna get when he said that Peg was helping him open his heart. I’ll take it and wish them well!!

Back on the live show, Mel and Peg made a big entrance and he kissed and dipped her a little. They were both very excited they could live their relationship in public now. Mel said that he didn’t need 23, he just needed one, and “I found the one.” Peg said, “He doesn’t have integrity, he is integrity.” I think the crowd was a little confused at first by that statement. They said their relationship really grew in the fantasy suite. The conversations they had there made a big impact. They showed some clips from their “happy couple” visits and it seems like they are having a great time together.

Neil Lane is in the audience and Jesse talked about how nice Peg’s ring is, which she wears on her left hand, by the way. Then Jesse asked where things stand and if there has been any talk of an engagement and Peg said they are continuing to grow their love. Mel said, “I am in love with her!” Finally! “And I’m in love with him, 100%” Peg said. “It worked!” Jesse exclaimed. He’s been pushing for them to get there SO MUCH! Peg said they are learning how to open up to each other.

In the audience, Chock said he wanted to welcome them to the “Bachelor” family and he said his prediction is they are going to get married! “I can see it!” Gerry said, “I think he did a great job on his own he doesn’t need advice from me, but it is finally nice to have one other guy who has walked in that position.”

Gina: Well, it was nice to see they could both admit they love each other! I’m happy they’re happy and wish them the best.

Jesse then showed a chat with our new “Bachelorette” Taylor Frankie Paul! Taylor revealed she has some crushes already and she is shocked. It’s not clear how far into the journey she is during this interview. Jesse tells her that she has a great group of guys. Taylor says that PDA is a fear of hers, and she has never really kissed anyone on camera before. She is doing this journey her own way and throwing the book out of the window. Taylor also joked that she wants to eat the food on the table. She said that she will also, and actually did, send someone home whenever she felt like it. Taylor is keeping these guys on their toes! It is also revealed that she has a DWTS group date and also the MokTok crew gives her some intel that helps her make some important decisions. Taylor said that her husband could be in that group of guys! She said that sending people home and their real feelings is hard, and also being away from her family and children. But the unknown of the future keeps her going!

Gina: Look, the MomTok ladies know Taylor better than her own family at times, so it makes sense that they would ask them to be a part of her journey! I honestly cannot wait to see Taylor as The Bachelorette. I think she is going to surprise us in all the best ways.

Then it was time for bloopers, which are always entertaining. It was fun to see some of our favorite women from this season like, Debbie, Cheryl, and Carol, just to name a few. The cheerleading looked to be really tough on Paula Abdul. We also got to see Terri’s puppet again. Missed her, and it was fun to see Mel’s puppet, Wild Boy. Ha!

Another funny thing, Mel wasn’t supposed to eat the food, but he did anyway! Good for Mel! He likes to eat! Jesse apologized for his sloppy eating on his season which led to the show stopping the leads from eating on camera. Next up, they are traveling to Las Vegas, Michigan, and even attending the Super Bowl! Then, the show is sending Mel and Peg to wine country in Napa Valley for a getaway to celebrate their love. “We’re so happy for you, so happy you found each other,” Jesse said.

On Thursday, stay tuned for a new episode of “Playing the Field” where we’ll interview Mel and Peg!

“THE FINALE FROM HELL”: Golden Bachelor Mel Owens LEFT DEVASTATED After Discovering His Final Two Were Secretly Texting Each Other Behind His Back — Producers Panic As Betrayal, Jealousy, And A Hidden Pact Threaten To DESTROY The Finale

The Golden Bachelor franchise has never seen chaos like this. In a shocking behind-the-scenes twist, sources close to production claim Mel Owens was left in tears and “completely blindsided” after discovering his two final women — Cindy Angelcyk Cullers and Nicolle Kate — were allegedly texting each other in secret throughout filming.

THE SECRET CONNECTION

According to insiders, the two women — once thought to be bitter rivals — allegedly formed a secret pact to “look out for each other no matter what happens,” but things took a dark turn when their texts began to reveal mockery, manipulation, and jealousy surrounding Mel himself.

“Mel thought he was falling in love with two incredible women,” a production insider spilled. “But behind the scenes, they were comparing notes, mocking his compliments, and even planning what to say at the finale to make him look emotional on TV.”

When producers discovered the messages, the revelation sent shockwaves through the entire crew, with one insider describing the moment as ‘an emotional explosion no one saw coming.’

MEL’S BREAKDOWN AND PRODUCER PANIC

Mel reportedly stormed off set after being told the truth, furious that he had been “played for ratings.” He was said to have confronted producers, accusing them of knowing about the messages and letting him be humiliated on national television.

“He said this was supposed to be about finding love — not about being made a fool,” a source revealed. “He was ready to walk away from the finale entirely.”

Behind the scenes, chaos erupted. Producers scrambled to contain the scandal, allegedly ordering crew members to delete footage and tighten nondisclosure agreements before the story could leak.

THE HIDDEN PACT EXPOSED

The texts reportedly show Cindy and Nicolle agreeing to support each other until the end, no matter who Mel chose — but they also hinted at something more manipulative. One message allegedly read:

“Let’s make it to the final rose. We’ll both win, one way or another.”

Another source claimed that the two women mocked Mel’s emotional moments, calling him “too sensitive” and “easy to sway with tears.”

“He felt used,” said an insider. “He gave them both his heart, but now he doesn’t even know if any of it was real.”

THE ENDGAME: A FINALE IN RUINS

As of now, insiders say the finale had to be reshot twice, with producers debating whether to air the real footage or edit around the scandal entirely. Meanwhile, Mel reportedly refused to propose to anyone, calling it “the most humiliating experience of his life.”

“This isn’t just another Bachelor breakup,” the insider added. “It’s a total implosion. Betrayal, jealousy, and heartbreak — all rolled into one explosive finale that could destroy the franchise’s credibility.”

THE GOLDEN FINALE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

With ABC scrambling to control the damage and fans demanding answers, one thing is certain — the Golden Bachelor’s fairy tale has officially turned into a nightmare.

“They wanted the most dramatic finale ever,” the source concluded. “They got it — but at a cost no one expected.”

“DOUBLE THE LOVE”: Bachelor Nation’s Becca Kufrin REVEALS Her Second Pregnancy in Emotional Post, Showing Off Her Baby Bump and Admitting She ‘Never Thought This Day Would Come’ After a Rocky Year With Thomas Jacobs

Former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin is showing off her growing baby bump after announcing she and husband Thomas Jacobs are expecting baby No. 2.

While sharing a series of Instagram snaps from Halloween and beyond, Kufrin, 35, uploaded a mirror selfie showing off her visible stomach. In the image, Kufrin smiled for the camera as she held up a peace sign.

“October will always be my favorite 🧡,” she captioned the post, to which Jacobs, 33, commented, “It’s the last slide baby bump for me 😍.”

The couple shared the news on Thursday, October 30, that they are expanding their family.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Becca Kufrin (@bkoof)

“Something’s brewing ✨,” Kufrin and Jacobs wrote via Instagram, alongside a photo of them and son Benson sitting beside a pretend cauldron. “Another little boo coming April, 2026 👻.”

Kufrin and Jacobs initially met in 2021, when they both appeared on Bachelor in Paradise season 7, though they briefly broke up during the show’s finale. The pair ultimately reconciled off camera.

“We chatted until, like, three or four in the morning some nights and just talked about any and everything,” Kufrin said during an October 2021 appearance on the “Talking It Out With Bachelor Nation” podcast of their reunion. “The second I saw him — because I flew back to L.A. and then drove down to San Diego — I think right away he picked me up and kissed me and then we just had unlimited time to explore what this could be.”

Kufrin and Jacobs got engaged in 2022 and tied the knot the following year, after welcoming son Benson.

“We got married three weeks after Benny was born, and I felt like we were [already] married,” Kufrin exclusively told Us Weekly in 2024. “In that regard, things still feel the same and nothing’s really changed other than signing the marriage certificate.”

Kufrin has been open about the idea of her and Jacobs expanding their family. In April, Kufron shared that the pair have been discussing the right time to add to their brood.

“Thomas is not the one who would have to be pregnant and carry this baby and deal with all the internal and external changes,” she said at the time. “When I was pregnant [with Benson], I did go on anxiety medication and we had to raise the dosage just so I could get through that hard time and keep myself balanced hormonally.”

She continued, “The other day, I was thinking, ‘If we’re ready to do this, do I need to up that dosage?’ For me to be at my best — for not only myself, but for my partner, for our current toddler and this oncoming baby — I need to really take care of myself. I don’t want to feel too much ego or pride to ask my doctor to up that dosage to help.”

Kufrin, meanwhile, admitted that Jacobs is “ready” to become a dad of two kids.

“He’s wanted to be a dad for a long time,” she told Us. “He was ready, so to watch him now be able to experience things like taking Benny to baseball games with him, taking Benny outside to start to play catch and teach him how to dunk his little basketball, it’s really, really precious. I think it makes it more special for me because I don’t have my dad in my life anymore.”

“THE LOVE GAMBLE”: Jess Edwards STUNS Fans by Announcing She’s Moving In With Spencer Conley Less Than Six Months After Rekindling Their Romance, Amid Rumors of Jealous Fights and Pressure to ‘Lock Him Down’ Before His Career Takes Off

Moving forward.

Bachelor Nation saw Spencer Conley and Jess Edwards fall in love and get engaged during a beautiful proposal on the Season 10 finale of “Bachelor in Paradise.”

Since then, the two have been keeping fans updated with their lives online and answering various questions about their relationship.

The couple has previously talked about moving in together. And now, Jess has taken to her Instagram Story to reveal when they plan on taking that step and where they will be living.

In response to a fan asking when she’s moving to Texas, Jess said, “I’m having movers move all my things the weekend before Thanksgiving so that when we get back everything is here.”

Jess went on and shared the areas in Texas that they’re hoping to move to, as well as what she’s looking for.

Instagram
She said, “Lots of questions about the move! We’re looking at places in Lower Greenville & M Streets. My main want is a very walkable area to lots of things because that’s something I love about where I live in SD.”

The Bachelor Nation star also revealed that they won’t be moving to a new home until the new year.

“Spencer’s current lease isn’t up until January so we have some time & I will be getting a storage unit for a few weeks,” Jess shared.

One fan then asked how she’s planning on moving everything to Texas, and Jess teased, “Great question. No clue. Movers that move things & also ship cars. 😂 But seriously if you have any recommendations send them my way!!!!”

We always love hearing from Jess and Spencer, and we couldn’t be happier for these two.

We’re wishing them all the best with the move and this exciting next chapter!

“THE GOLDEN SCANDAL”: Mel Owens REVEALS His Love Story Was a LIE, Claiming He Was NEVER in Love with More Than ONE Woman and That Producers FABRICATED His Feelings, REWRITING Scenes and PRESSURING Him Into a Fake Proposal for TV Drama

In a jaw-dropping confession that’s shaking The Golden Bachelor franchise to its core, Mel Owens has broken his silence — and what he’s revealing about his so-called “fairy-tale” romance is nothing short of explosive.

“It Was Never Real”

Mel, once praised as the charming widower who found love in front of millions, now claims his televised journey for love was “manufactured from start to finish.” In a shocking interview, he admitted that producers rewrote scenes, fabricated emotional arcs, and even pressured him into a fake proposal — all for the sake of TV ratings.

“I was never in love with more than one woman,” Mel confessed. “That narrative was forced. I told them how I felt, but they wanted a love triangle. They made it look like I was torn between two people when I never was.”

A Scripted Fantasy Disguised as Reality

According to Mel, what viewers saw was far from the truth. Producers allegedly manipulated footage, reshot confessionals, and even fed him lines to make the emotional storyline more dramatic.

“They wanted tears, tension, and betrayal,” he explained. “When I didn’t give them enough, they’d stop filming and tell me exactly what to say. They built a version of me that wasn’t real.”

Mel described moments where producers allegedly rearranged timelines and edited romantic exchanges to make it seem as though he had deep connections with multiple women — when in reality, his heart was only with one from the beginning.

The Fake Proposal That Changed Everything

Perhaps the most shocking claim of all is Mel’s revelation that his final proposal was orchestrated. He says producers pressured him into proposing even though he wanted to leave the show quietly.

“They said it would destroy the ending if I walked away,” Mel said. “I felt trapped. I did what they wanted because I didn’t want to let everyone down — but it wasn’t my truth.”

Insiders close to the production confirm that tense arguments erupted behind the scenes, with Mel threatening to quit days before the finale. Ultimately, he says he “gave in to the machine” — a decision that left him emotionally broken once filming wrapped.

Behind the Curtain: Bravo-Like Manipulation in Bachelor Nation

Production insiders have long whispered about The Bachelor franchise’s manipulative tactics — but Mel’s allegations are among the most damning yet. He describes the experience as “a psychological chess game,” claiming that producers isolated him, withheld information, and engineered emotional breakdowns for ratings.

“I wasn’t allowed to call my kids, my family, anyone,” he revealed. “When I started to question things, they reminded me I signed a contract. Everything felt controlled — even my emotions.”

Bachelor Nation in Shock

Fans who once celebrated Mel’s “authentic love story” are now reeling from the revelation that much of it may have been staged. Social media exploded with disbelief, betrayal, and heartbreak:

“We believed every word — now it’s just another Hollywood act,” one fan posted.
“If this is true, The Golden Bachelor is officially ruined,” another wrote.

The Aftermath: A Man Trying to Reclaim His Truth

Now, months after filming, Mel says he’s done with the lies. He’s distanced himself from ABC and is focusing on “living honestly again.”

“The show gave me attention but took my peace,” he said. “I don’t care about fame anymore — I just want people to know who I really was behind that camera.”

As Bachelor Nation reels, one thing is clear: Mel Owens’ truth has shattered the illusion of The Golden Bachelor forever.

“THE GOLDEN ENDING”: Gary Levingston REVEALS He’s FOUND His Future Wife After a Year of Heartbreak, Saying He Finally Learned What ‘Real Love After 70’ Feels Like

Gary Levingston went on Golden Bachelorette hoping to find love after a divorce. He was a fan favorite but didn’t connect with Joan Vassos. He gave love a third chance on Season 10 of Bachelor In Paradise. Gary again failed to find a lasting connection with anyone on the beach. But now he’s found his match. He broke his silence about his wife-to-be and the surprising way they met. Keep reading for the adorable details.

RHONY Star Shocked By Gary Levingston’s Relationship Hard-Launch

Gary Levingston formed a strong friendship with Leslie Fhima while on Bachelor In Paradise. But they never made it past the friend zone. One issue was the massive distance between them. Leslie Fhima lives in Minnesota. Gary lives in Palm Desert, California.

Gary Levingston/Credit: YouTube
Fans really wanted to see Leslie and Gary get their happily ever after together. But he found it with someone else instead. The Golden Bachelor alum shocked fans by hard-launching a relationship in early October. He didn’t share much about his new lady love, but did share a glimpse at their happy times together.

RHONY alum Kelly Bensimon was especially shocked by the relationship news. She interviewed Gary on the I Do, Part 2 podcast this week. She jokingly asked her friend why she didn’t know about the relationship until he announced it to the world. The two also dived into how Gary met his lady love and what the future holds for them.

Gary Levingston’s new girlfriend/Credit: Instagram

Golden Bachelor Star Breaks Silence About His Wife To Be

After two failed attempts at finding love on reality TV, Gary Levingston found it in the most unexpected place. He opened up to Kelly on the podcast about how he met his girlfriend. He said they met in church, “believe it or not.” And she’s the real deal.

Kelly Bensimon reacts to Gary Levingston saying he’s looking for a wife/Credit: YouTube
The Golden Bachelor alum shared that his girlfriend isn’t on social media and had no idea who he was. She didn’t know he appeared on two shows in the Bachelor Nation franchise.

Gary Levingston said he heard “trumpets” playing when he first saw his now-girlfriend. “The clouds opened up,” he said. He knew early on that she was the one for him. He left Kelly speechless when he shared a conversation he had with his new love.

“I’m not looking for a girlfriend. I’m looking for a wife,” he told his girlfriend. She responded that she was looking for a husband. Despite the two being in agreement about marriage, Gary Levingston has yet to propose. But fans are so happy that he found love again.

“Gary is a class act & I’m so happy he met someone!!”
“I love this for him”
“Such awesome beautiful news for Gary!!! He’s so deserving of someone so special to love! To meet at church is glorious!!”
“That’s exactly I told my teenage grandsons. When you get old enough for girlfriend, look for one at church”

Gary Levingston is happy and in love. Stay tuned for an engagement announcement any day now.

“THE LOVE THAT HEALS”: Golden Bachelor’s Mel Owens ADMITS He’s Falling Hard for Cindy Cullers, Calling Her Thoughtful, Calm, and the Only Person Who Makes Him Feel Whole After the Heartache and Chaos of His Divorce, Hinting This Quiet Romance Could Be His Last Chance at True Happiness

After a tumultuous journey through love, heartbreak, and public scrutiny, Mel Owens is opening up about a romance that has quietly captured his heart. Sources confirm that the Golden Bachelor star is falling deeply for Cindy Cullers, describing her as the calming force he never knew he needed.

“Cindy has a way of seeing the real me,” Mel admitted. “After everything I’ve been through, she’s the one who makes me feel whole again. She’s thoughtful, grounded, and genuinely kind — a rare find in this world.”

From Heartache to Healing

Mel’s past relationships, including a high-profile divorce, left him emotionally battered and wary of love. Friends say he had built walls to protect himself from further heartbreak, but Cindy’s presence has begun to melt those defenses.

“He’s been through the storm,” a close source revealed. “And now, for the first time in years, he’s allowing himself to feel something real — calm, steady, and safe.”

A Quiet Romance Amidst Chaos

Unlike the dramatic, headline-grabbing romances typically associated with reality TV, Mel and Cindy’s connection has been low-key and understated. Insiders hint that this quiet love story might be his last real shot at happiness, with Mel carefully nurturing the relationship away from cameras and public interference.

“He’s not looking for fanfare or drama,” the source explained. “This is about genuine companionship and emotional healing — the kind of love that rebuilds a person from the inside out.”

Hope for the Future

Mel reportedly hopes this relationship will provide stability, joy, and lasting love, contrasting sharply with the chaos and heartbreak of his previous marriage. Friends say he’s cautious but seriously invested, believing Cindy could be the partner who finally completes him.

“After everything, he’s found someone who makes him believe in love again,” the insider added. “It’s rare, it’s beautiful, and he’s savoring every moment.”

The Takeaway: A Love That Restores

For Mel Owens, this romance with Cindy Cullers represents more than companionship — it’s healing, hope, and a second chance at a peaceful, happy life. While reality TV often thrives on drama and spectacle, this story proves that sometimes the quietest love can be the most powerful and transformative of all.