The new Golden Bachelor, former NFL player Mel Owens, has introduced his kids to viewers.
Owens, who is starring in season 2 of the reality show, is a divorced dad of two adult sons named Lucas and Andre.
“I was married for 25 years," Owens told host Jesse Palmer during a Hulu event. "I’ve missed that companionship." The first episode of the show also featured Owens discussing his failed marriage, and his sons made an appearance as he introduced viewers to his family.
Owens' former wife and the mother of his sons is Fabiana Pimentel. She is the director of Experiences at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, according to her LinkedIn page. That page says she is co-founder of Final Touch Organizing. She filed for divorce from Owens, a sports employment attorney, in 2020, according to court filings.
On the Hulu show, Owens explained that his youngest son first suggested that he become the Bachelor.
"We were watching the regular Bachelor earlier on. He goes, 'Yeah dad, you should be the Bachelor,' " Owens said on the show.
Owens' son saw an ad for casting for the second Golden Bachelor. "The ad came out. He goes, 'But you should be the real one though,'" Owens said, adding that his son wanted to stand next to his father as he welcomed the contestants on the show (that didn't happen, though.)
Owens has had kind words to say about the sons' mother, his ex-wife.
"It was a long marriage, and it just didn't work out," Owens told USA Today. "I still wish her well. And I love being married."
Owens has posted throwback photos on Instagram.
Lucas is 20, and Andre is 18, USA Today reported.
"They've been living primarily with me and I cherish that great father-son relationship," Owens told USA Today. "Every morning I get to be with them before they go to school."
He told the publication that his sons have been helpful as he navigates reality show fame.
"They got me on TikTok, and then on Instagram. I didn't know how to do all of those things," Owens told USA Today. "My boys were helping me. Two months ago, I had four followers. I think I have more than four now."
According to People, both Lucas and Andre Owens hope to play baseball in college.