Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor has been full of emotional highs and unexpected turns, but this week’s episode took a particularly heartfelt direction. Former NFL linebacker Mel Owens, the 66-year-old leading man of the season, opened up about one of the most painful chapters of his life during a one-on-one dinner date with contestant Nicolle Kate. What started as a light and flirtatious evening soon turned into a deep and emotional conversation about love, loss, and second chances.
During the intimate dinner, Mel reflected on his 25-year marriage to his ex-wife, Fabiana Pimentel. The two married in 2002 despite their 19-year age gap and went on to have two sons together, Lucas and Andre. Their marriage came to an end in February 2020, and after a lengthy legal process, the divorce was finalized in December 2024. Opening up to Nicolle, Mel revealed how painful it had been to watch his marriage fall apart after so many years together. He said softly, “I had one marriage, right? And it lasted a total of 25 years.”
When Nicolle gently asked if he had thought that marriage would last forever, Mel’s expression turned emotional. “Well, I took the vow,” he said, his voice heavy with sadness. He then explained that it was Fabiana who had initiated the separation, sharing that she had wanted to experience more in life and that he didn’t want to hold her back. “She decided. She was younger, and she wanted to experience other things; it was more like, ‘it’s over.’ And the papers were there, and I’m not fighting it… It was, like, heart-wrenching. It was really, really painful.”
The honesty of his confession struck a chord with Nicolle, who listened intently and offered comforting words. Despite the heartbreak, Mel expressed that he hadn’t lost faith in love. When Nicolle asked if he could see himself getting married again, he admitted that he still believed in the possibility of love and connection. “I would trust it again for sure,” he said, hinting that he was ready to open his heart once more.
The date ended on a romantic note, with Mel offering Nicolle a rose and the two sharing a tender kiss under the warm glow of the evening lights. Speaking about the moment afterward, Mel said, “The time that I spent with Nicolle is very meaningful. The chemistry between us is good. You can’t manufacture the chemistry, and you can’t fight it. And she’s definitely a person I can see in my life. So, we’ll have some fun going forward.”
The touching exchange between Mel and Nicolle reminded viewers that even after deep heartbreak, it’s never too late to hope, to trust, and to love again — something that continues to make The Golden Bachelor such a powerful and emotional watch this season.