Before his seasonof The Golden Bachelor even airs, lead Mel Owens is already ruffling some feathers.

In a new interview with MGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen, Owens, 66, got candid about what he told an executive producer on the show about his ideal dating “preferences” before they started casting. “I just said, ’45 to 60,’ just being honest,” the former NFL player-turned-lawyer remembered saying, per The Hollywood Reporter.

According to him, however, the age range is more than just a preference; it’s a deal-breaker too. “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,” he told the producer, adding that, “This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.”

Looking through the contestants on Gerry Turner’s first season of the show, it seems Owens’ expectations are a tad unrealistic. Among the contestants, the ages varied from 60 to 75. Theresa Nist, who got engaged and married to Turner before their divorce three months later, was 70 during the season.

To his preference request, the producer seemingly brushed it off. “But they’re going to be hot,” he told Owens. “Don’t worry about it, don’t worry about it.” He was then also called out on his language. “He goes, ‘You can’t use the word cut,’” the producer said. “I go, ‘That’s an NFL term.'”

Owens then chimed in with another set of preferences he included. “They’ve got to be fit, because I stay in shape and work out and stuff,” he said. “And I told them to try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs.”

From the looks of it, Owens is being picky when it comes to his contestants, especially considering how beautiful and incredible the women were in Turner’s season. So, it’s no surprise that the internet has some thoughts on his “preferences.”

“Awful. Gary (from the first season of this show) was lovable and genuine. I wasn’t planning to watch it, but I did because of his sincerity and kindness. I won’t watch with a jerk in the lead,” wrote one user on X. “He’s single? Shocking. Very Shocking. 😆,” jokedanother user.

With that said, not everyone is totally against him just yet. “Why would this make you mad? He’s a guy w/ preferences,” wrote one user. “No different than a dude going to Chipotle.” “Seems well thought out, to me. He has preferences, like we all do,” another defended.

Regardless of the mixed reactions, it seems the second season of the show is all set to start filming shortly. The premiere date is speculated to be in September 2025.

Before you go, click here to see all of the ‘Bachelor’ & ‘Bachelorette’ couples who are still together: