Golden Bachelor’s Mel Owens Reveals the Real Reason He Didn’t Choose Cindy Cullers
After choosing Peg Munson over runner-up Cindy Cullers on The Golden Bachelor Season 2, former Rams linebacker Mel Owens says Cullers felt he didn’t show her enough respect — a claim he rejects, insisting he did everything to prove his commitment.
Mel Owens wrapped The Golden Bachelor Season 2 by choosing Peg Munson, and runner-up Cindy Cullers walked herself out in the final stretch. Now we have the why. Owens, a former Rams linebacker, just explained what went down with Cindy, and yeah, it clears up that finale exit. Also: Peg is not your average franchise winner, which is part of why this pick makes sense.
How Cindy and Mel actually ended
In a new interview with People, Owens said he felt like Cindy was reading his mind for him and not quite getting it right. He also made it clear his heart was already somewhere else.
[Cindy] was telling me what I was thinking, and what I did. But she had the right to do what she did. She thought that I wasn't opening up, or wasn't committed. I'm committed, just not to her. My feelings were stronger for Peg, much stronger.
That lines up with Cindy self-eliminating in the finals. If he was all-in on Peg, staying would have been pointless drama.
So who is Peg Munson?
Short answer: a 62-year-old with a resume that makes reality TV feel too small.
- Former Las Vegas Fire Department personnel: worked as a firefighter and bomb technician. She even neutralized a staged device during the show's premiere bit, because of course she did.
- Professional dancer in Las Vegas with a senior dance group tied to the Aces.
- Realtor by trade.
- Single mom to her daughter, Dakota. She posts as @peg_munson on Instagram.
On the show, Peg came off strong but warm and unfussy, which clearly clicked with Owens. He sounds ready to settle down with her.
About that age preference thing
Owens told the MGoBlue Podcast that producers asked for his preferred age range and he said 45 to 60. Later, over lunch with the executive producer, he doubled down and said if someone was 60 or older, he would cut them. And then he chose Peg, who is 62. So much for the age cap. Sometimes chemistry wins, spreadsheets lose.
The show, at a glance
The Golden Bachelor is hosted by Jesse Palmer. Season 2 featured Mel Owens with finalists Peg Munson and Cindy Cullers, plus standouts like Debbie Siebers. If you care about scores: IMDb has it at 6.0/10, and Rotten Tomatoes sits at 73% from critics and 83% from audiences.
The Golden Bachelor Season 2 is streaming on Hulu in the US. Got thoughts on Mel picking Peg? Drop them in the comments.