Reality Steve Podcast Daily Roundup – Updates on Bachelor in Paradise and The Golden Bachelor
Hello everyone, Reality Steve here. Thanks for tuning into today’s Daily Roundup, this Monday. We’ve got a lot to cover in Bachelor Nation news, especially about the upcoming Bachelor in Paradise season and The Golden Bachelor. I’ll also share a few thoughts about last night’s American Idol Top 14 episode. Let’s dive right in.
Bachelor in Paradise: Costa Rica Confirmed as the New Location
Last week, I mentioned that the next season of Bachelor in Paradise would be filming in Costa Rica — marking the first time in nine seasons the show isn’t shooting in Mexico. That information was confirmed during Hulu’s upfront event last week.
Funny story — I think I was actually invited to that event but ended up deleting the email. Either way, I wouldn’t have gone. It’s just not really my thing to attend events where a lot of faces from the franchise gather. That’s not a knock on anyone who does — it’s just what works best for me and my brand.
As for production timing, contestants will start flying out to Costa Rica this Tuesday and Wednesday. Filming is set to officially begin Friday or Saturday. At this point, I don’t know the exact resort they’re using.
One big thing to note: there’s a lot of change happening this season. New production team, a new showrunner — someone who has never worked on a Bachelor show before. We know there will be a mix of “regular” contestants and “Golden” contestants (older cast members). But the format specifics are still unclear. Will they still bring new people in mid-season like before? Or will they revamp the format entirely? We’ll have to wait and see.
Right now, I have around 13–14 names confirmed to be part of the cast, though it’s unclear if they’re initial arrivals or late additions. When I eventually release the list, keep in mind: just because someone’s name isn’t mentioned doesn’t automatically mean they’re not involved.
The Golden Bachelor: Important Info About Mel Owens
Moving over to The Golden Bachelor — we have some news there as well. Mel Owens has been confirmed as the next Golden Bachelor. I actually recognized Mel’s name from my childhood — he played for the LA Rams from 1981 to 1989. After retiring, he became a lawyer, mainly representing athletes dealing with injury-related claims.
However, there’s a detail about Mel’s personal life worth noting: he was married for 25 years to a woman who was 20 years younger than him. When they got married, Mel was around 41, and his wife was about 21.
I bring this up because it could have an impact on how this upcoming Golden Bachelor season plays out. Both of the previous seasons had their own narratives around age and compatibility, and this could be an interesting dynamic to watch.
