Entertainment
Who is Mel Owens The Golden Bachelor lead facing backlash for comments about women over…
Former NFL player Mel Owens stars as the new Golden Bachelor at 66, but his past remarks about women’s ages and appearance have stirred controversy ahead of Season 2.
Bachelor Nation is gearing up for the premiere of The Golden Bachelor Season 2, but this time the spotlight is already clouded with controversy. The latest leading man, Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL linebacker turned lawyer, will make his debut on ABC on Wednesday, September 25, at 8 p.m. ET.
Owens follows in the footsteps of Gerry Turner, the first Golden Bachelor in 2023, and Joan Vassos, who starred in the first Golden Bachelorette spinoff in 2024. While the franchise’s expansion into senior dating has been praised as refreshing and heartfelt, Owens has faced backlash for comments about age and appearance that left many questioning whether he was the right fit to front the series.

Who is Mel Owens?
Born and raised in Detroit, Owens played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981 to 1989 before retiring from the NFL. He went on to earn a law degree and now practices as a sports lawyer in Orange County, California, specializing in workers’ compensation cases.
He was married to Fabiana Pimentel from 2002 until 2020, and the couple share two sons, Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18. Owens has described Fabiana as his “first love,” but after their divorce, he has been ready to look for a new chapter — one that led him, unexpectedly, to The Golden Bachelor.
How did he join The Golden Bachelor?
Owens wasn’t a Bachelor Nation fan before signing on. In fact, he says it was a friend who encouraged him to apply. “It’s this fortuitous other route. It’s not something I would have done entirely on my own,” he told USA Today.

The controversy
In June, Owens sparked outrage when he appeared on the University of Michigan’s MGoBlue podcast. Asked about his dating preferences, he replied candidly:
“They ask me, ‘What’s your preference?’ So I just said 45 to 60, just being honest. And then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’”
Owens also made remarks about his ideal partner’s physical traits, saying he preferred women who were fit and without “artificial hips and wigs.”
The comments were slammed as ageist and insensitive, particularly given that most of the franchise’s contestants so far have been in their 60s and 70s.

His apology
Owens has since walked back his statements. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, he admitted: “The comments I made were unfair and insensitive, but I apologized to them collectively. Looking back on it, it was wrong to say, and I shouldn’t have said it.”
In an interview with Glamour in August, he revealed that he addressed the controversy directly with the women competing for his heart. “When I first walked in, I addressed it. I apologized to them. I said, ‘It was unfair, insensitive. I want to earn it back. Just give me the chance.’”
According to Owens, many contestants accepted his apology during their one-on-one moments.
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Will the controversy affect his season?
Despite calls from some Bachelor Nation fans to replace him, ABC has stuck by Owens. He insists he never considered stepping down: “I never contemplated stepping away. Never did,” he told USA Today.
Owens hopes viewers will tune in with an open mind, saying: “You have to be earnest in your work to get the trust back… Hopefully the show will show that the women in their golden years are doing amazing things. It’s inspirational.”
What to expect this season
Owens will meet 23 women competing for his affection, with producers teasing emotional love stories, unexpected drama, and plenty of tearful confessions. With Joan Vassos proving last year that the Golden spinoffs can deliver genuine romance, all eyes will be on Owens to see if he can overcome the early backlash and find lasting love.
Whether Owens becomes a redemption story or remains a controversial choice, The Golden Bachelor Season 2 promises to keep Bachelor Nation talking.
Entertainment
Miley Cyrus Begins a New Era With Move to Atlantic Records
The Grammy-winning singer has officially parted ways with Columbia Records, setting the stage for the next chapter of her music career.
LOS ANGELES, California: Pop superstar Miley Cyrus is entering a new era of her career. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has officially signed with Atlantic Records, ending her successful partnership with Columbia Records and setting the stage for what could be her next major musical evolution.
The label change comes after Cyrus released two widely recognized albums through Columbia—Endless Summer Vacation, which featured the global hit “Flowers,” and Something Beautiful, a project that showcased a more artistic and experimental side of the singer. Together, the albums reinforced Cyrus’ reputation as one of the most versatile performers in modern pop music.
Joining Atlantic Records signals more than just a business decision. Industry observers view the move as an opportunity for Cyrus to explore fresh creative collaborations while expanding her already impressive catalog. Atlantic has long been home to some of the biggest names in contemporary music, making it a fitting destination for an artist known for constantly reinventing herself.
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Throughout her career, Miley Cyrus has repeatedly defied expectations. From her early days as the star of Hannah Montana to becoming an international recording artist, she has embraced multiple musical styles, including pop, rock, country, and alternative influences. That willingness to evolve has helped her remain one of the industry’s most influential artists for nearly two decades.
Her previous album, Endless Summer Vacation, earned both commercial success and critical acclaim, largely driven by the worldwide success of “Flowers.” The record became one of the defining pop releases of its year and further established Cyrus as a consistent hitmaker capable of connecting with audiences across generations.
Meanwhile, Something Beautiful reflected a more introspective creative direction, demonstrating her interest in experimenting beyond mainstream pop. Critics praised the album for its artistic ambition, reinforcing the idea that Cyrus continues to prioritize musical growth over predictability.
Atlantic Records has built a reputation for supporting artists with distinctive creative identities, and many industry analysts believe the partnership could provide Cyrus with even greater artistic freedom as she develops future projects. Although neither the singer nor the label has revealed details about upcoming music, anticipation is already building among fans eager to hear what this collaboration will produce.

News of the signing quickly spread across social media, where fans celebrated the announcement and began speculating about potential producers, collaborators, and the musical direction of her next album. Many expressed excitement about the possibilities that a new label partnership could bring after the success of her recent releases.
The move also reflects the changing landscape of the music industry, where established artists increasingly seek label partnerships that align with their evolving creative ambitions rather than simply focusing on commercial performance. For Cyrus, whose career has been defined by reinvention, the transition appears consistent with her long-standing approach to artistic growth.
Despite changing labels, Miley Cyrus remains one of pop music’s most recognizable voices, with a career spanning chart-topping albums, sold-out tours, major award wins, and a global fan base. Her ability to adapt while maintaining a distinct artistic identity has made her one of the most enduring figures in contemporary entertainment.
As Atlantic Records prepares to welcome one of the industry’s biggest stars, attention now turns to what comes next. Whether it leads to a new album, high-profile collaborations, or another bold creative transformation, Miley Cyrus’ latest career move has already become one of the biggest music industry stories of the year.
For fans, the message is clear: a new chapter has begun, and expectations are higher than ever.
Entertainment
EU Backs Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger in Major Regulatory Milestone
Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Approved by EU Regulators | Global Media Merger Update
The proposed merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery has crossed another significant milestone after receiving approval from European Union competition regulators.
The latest clearance strengthens momentum behind one of the entertainment industry’s most closely watched deals. According to reports, regulators across more than a dozen countries have now signed off on the transaction, indicating that competition authorities see no major obstacles to the companies combining their businesses under the proposed agreement.
The European Union’s approval is particularly important given the region’s strict antitrust standards. Deals involving global media companies often undergo detailed reviews to ensure they do not reduce market competition or negatively impact consumers. With Brussels now giving its blessing, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have cleared another key regulatory checkpoint on their path toward completing the merger.
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If finalized, the combination would bring together some of the world’s most recognizable entertainment brands. Paramount Global owns iconic studios and networks including Paramount Pictures, CBS, Showtime, MTV and the streaming platform Paramount+.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery controls an equally impressive portfolio featuring Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, Max, CNN, Discovery Channel and DC Studios.

Industry analysts believe the merger could reshape the global entertainment landscape by creating a stronger competitor in the increasingly crowded streaming market. As traditional television continues to evolve, major studios are looking for greater scale, larger content libraries, and improved operational efficiency to compete with digital streaming leaders.
While the deal has now secured approvals from numerous international regulators, additional regulatory processes may still be required before the transaction can officially close. Companies involved in mergers of this scale typically must satisfy legal and financial conditions across multiple jurisdictions before integration begins.
For investors, filmmakers, and audiences alike, the proposed union represents one of the biggest media consolidation efforts in recent years. If completed, the combined company would oversee an enormous catalog of films, television franchises, streaming platforms, and news operations with a truly global reach.
The European Union’s decision marks another positive step for Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing the entertainment giants closer to completing a deal that could redefine competition across Hollywood and the international media business.
Entertainment
Travis Scott Says Joining Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Was His Biggest Acting Challenge Yet
The rapper recalls feeling intense pressure as he prepared to work with the Oscar-winning filmmaker on the highly anticipated epic.
Music superstar Travis Scott has opened up about his experience joining Christopher Nolan‘s highly anticipated epic The Odyssey, admitting that taking on the acting role left him feeling “nervous as f.”
Known for dominating the global music charts and delivering electrifying live performances, Scott revealed that stepping onto a film set led by one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors was a completely different challenge. Despite his confidence as a performer, acting in a major motion picture demanded a new level of preparation and focus.
The rapper said the opportunity to collaborate with Christopher Nolan was too significant to pass up. Widely regarded for directing blockbuster hits such as Oppenheimer, Inception, Interstellar, and The Dark Knight, Nolan has built a reputation for creating visually ambitious and emotionally compelling films.
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Scott’s involvement in The Odyssey extends beyond his on-screen appearance. He also recorded an original song titled “When I’m Home,” which will play during the film’s closing credits. The track marks another major crossover between his music career and Hollywood, giving fans a fresh piece of music tied directly to one of the year’s biggest cinematic releases.

Based on Homer‘s legendary ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, Nolan’s adaptation has generated enormous anticipation from moviegoers worldwide. The project boasts an impressive ensemble cast and has been one of the most talked-about productions in recent months, thanks to Nolan’s signature filmmaking style and large-scale vision.
For Travis Scott, the experience represented more than simply appearing in a blockbuster. It was an opportunity to learn from one of cinema’s most respected directors while testing himself in a completely different creative environment.
Although nerves were part of the process, Scott suggested that the challenge ultimately made the experience even more rewarding. His honesty about feeling intimidated has resonated with fans, many of whom praised the artist for embracing a new artistic direction despite the pressure that comes with starring in such a high-profile production.
As excitement continues to build around The Odyssey, audiences will not only get to see Travis Scott in a new acting role but also hear his original contribution to the film’s soundtrack. The dual role highlights the artist’s growing presence in Hollywood as he continues to expand beyond music into film and storytelling.
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