Golden Bachelor Mel's Hometown Heartbreak: Who Made the Final Two?

Mel Owens faced his toughest rose ceremony yet after emotional Hometown Dates, sending one beloved contestant home and setting the stage for a dramatic finale with his final two ladies.

TL;DR: Your Quick Golden Bachelor Update

• Mel Owens said goodbye to Debbie, 65, after a deeply emotional Hometown Date in Denver.
• Cindy, 60, and Peg, 62, are Mel's final two women, heading to Antigua for fantasy suites.
• Get ready for the "Women Tell All" on October 29, followed by the grand finale on November 5!

Mel Owens Navigates Emotional Family Meetings During Hometowns

Talk about high stakes! Our Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens, 66, just wrapped up the much-anticipated Hometown Dates, where he traveled across the country to meet the families of his final three amazing women. It was a whirlwind of emotions, tough questions, and some truly heartwarming connections. With a potential engagement looming, meeting the closest friends and family became more crucial than ever for Mel.

This past Wednesday, October 22, viewers watched as Mel journeyed to Las Vegas, Denver, and Austin, aiming to get a clearer picture of his future with each woman. But as he himself admitted, making this decision was going to be incredibly difficult.

Las Vegas Sparks & Parental Grilling with Peg Munson

First up, Mel jetted to Las Vegas to spend time with Peg Munson, 62, the retired firefighter and bomb tech. Peg introduced Mel to her life, even bringing him to her firehouse—a first for her! Her family, including her mom Dorothy (a self-proclaimed "Bachelor Nation" fan!) and daughter Dakota, were ready to welcome Mel, but also to ask the hard questions.

Dakota didn't hold back, directly asking Mel if he was in love with her mom. Mel's honest, yet non-committal, answer of "not yet" and "I don't know if I'll get there" left Dakota feeling uneasy. She worried about her mom getting hurt, a sentiment many viewers probably shared. Despite the intense questioning, Peg and Mel shared a heartfelt goodbye, though the "L-word" wasn't spoken by either.

Denver Deep Dive: Debbie Siebers' Heart-Wrenching Story and Family Support

Next, Mel headed to Denver, Colorado, for his date with Debbie Siebers, 65, a vibrant fitness professional. Their date at the stunning Red Rocks amphitheater took a serious turn when Debbie shared a deeply personal and tragic story. She revealed that her last serious relationship ended when her partner took his own life after they broke up, leaving her profoundly altered and taking her a decade to move on.

Mel was supportive, and it was clear they shared a soulful connection. He then met Debbie’s close-knit family, including her twin sister Donna and brothers. Her family was incredibly supportive, emphasizing their desire for Debbie to find happiness. Debbie confessed to feeling "extraordinarily devastated" if Mel didn't choose her, highlighting just how much she was falling for him.

Austin Charms and Cindy Cullers' Big Feelings

Mel's final stop was Austin, Texas, to visit Cindy Cullers, 60, a retired biomedical engineer. Cindy, who Mel affectionately called his "beauty queen," expressed her willingness to move to California if it meant building a life with him. He met her three daughters, one of whom echoed Dakota's protective nature, questioning Mel about his long-term intentions.

Mel admitted he "didn't know what the future holds" and that his feelings were "complicated." Cindy, on the other hand, was open about her "big feelings" and how Mel made her feel "grounded and at peace." She bravely told him she was "really, really, really falling for" him, hoping he felt the same way. It was clear Cindy was all-in, making the impending rose ceremony even more nerve-wracking.

"By far this is going to be the toughest rose ceremony, because each one of them would be great. I think they all deserve the rose, and that's where the anxiousness and the emotions come in."

— Mel Owens

The Rose Ceremony: A Tearful Farewell and Final Two Revealed

Back at the mansion, the tension was palpable. Mel, visibly emotional, acknowledged the difficulty of his decision, noting that the women had even changed his earlier perspective on what he was looking for in a partner.

After a heavy pause, Mel offered roses to Peg and Cindy. This meant a heartbreaking goodbye to Debbie. She handled the elimination with immense grace, telling Mel through tears, "Take care of those girls, okay? Be happy." Mel himself was visibly emotional, admitting his heart didn't feel okay with the decision. Debbie, for her part, expressed the profound pain of another disappointment, but her dignified exit only solidified her place as a fan favorite.

What's Next: 'Women Tell All' and the Epic Finale in Antigua

With Debbie gone, Mel's journey continues with Cindy and Peg, heading to beautiful Antigua for their final dates. Teasers show helicopter rides and romantic moments, but also lingering doubts from both women.

• Peg voices concerns about Mel making her "wait around too long."
• Cindy yearns for Mel to feel "struck by lightning" and unable to live without her.

Before the grand finale, Bachelor Nation fans will be treated to the highly anticipated "Women Tell All" episode on October 29. Expect drama, as former contestants like Nicolle ("kind of the trailblazer" she claims) stir things up, and Debbie gets emotional revisiting her connection with Mel. Then, the moment we've all been waiting for: the Season Finale on November 5, where Mel promises a "brilliant" and "surprising" finish, filled with "movement and twists and turns." He's even hinted that he's not rushing to say "I love you" or propose just because of tradition, focusing instead on a genuine connection.

Mel Owens: The Man Behind the Golden Roses

So, who is the man who captured the hearts of America and these incredible women? Mel Owens, 66, is a Detroit native, a former NFL player (linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981), and now a successful lawyer specializing in sports injuries. His father even taught Diana Ross!

Mel's season started with a bit of controversy due to past comments about preferring women under 60. However, he sincerely apologized for those remarks, and as he acknowledged during the rose ceremony, the experience with these accomplished, brilliant, and beautiful women profoundly changed his perspective. His approach to the fantasy suites—"contemplative, conversation, information"—shows he's serious about finding a lasting connection, not just a fairytale.

It's clear Mel is taking his search for love seriously, making a pros and cons list to weigh his decisions, but ultimately going with his gut and the "magnetism" he feels towards one person. We can't wait to see how his unique love story unfolds!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Golden Bachelor

When does The Golden Bachelor air?

New episodes of The Golden Bachelor air weekly on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Where can I stream The Golden Bachelor?

You can stream new episodes on Hulu the day after they air on ABC. For live viewing, you can use streaming services like FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, both of which often offer free trials for new subscribers.

Who are Mel Owens' final two contestants?

Mel Owens' final two women are Cindy Cullers, 60, a retired biomedical engineer from Austin, Texas, and Peg Munson, 62, a retired firefighter and bomb tech from Las Vegas.

What is the schedule for the remaining Golden Bachelor episodes?

• October 29: "Women Tell All" episode
• November 5: Season Finale

Sources:

• Detroit Free Press (Jalen Williams) - "Who did the 'Golden Bachelor' give roses to last night? What to know ahead of the finale"
• Parade (Andrea Reiher) - "Mel Owens Only Has One More Rose to Give Out on The Golden Bachelor: 'You Won't Believe How We Get There'"
• Us Weekly - "Mel Owens Only Has One More Rose to Hand Out on Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor"
• ABC7NY (Jennifer Matarese and Gina Sirico) - "'Golden Bachelor' Mel visits his final 3 women's hometowns; who makes it to his top 2?"
• AL.com (Breanna Manley) - "A brand new episode of the hit reality dating show The Golden Bachelor premieres on ABC Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 9/8c."
• NJ.com (Joseph Rejent) - "‘Golden Bachelor’ is airing a 6th episode with its controversial new bachelor."
• MassLive (Ariana Tourangeau) - "Mel’s journey takes him across the country to see his final three women in Las Vegas, Denver and Austin in a new episode of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ airing on Wednesday, October 22."
• Just Jared Staff - "'The Golden Bachelor' 2025: Top 2 Women Revealed After Hometown Dates Episode"
• Katie Couric Media - "Tonight’s a big night on The Golden Bachelor: hometown dates!"