Mel Owens and eight of the nine women vying for his heart did a photoshoot for PEOPLE on Malibu beach on Aug. 1
Standing on the sands of a Malibu beach on Aug. 1, Golden Bachelor Mel Owens hid a secret behind his smile.
In just moments, he’d surprise eight of the nine women vying for his heart on season 2 of the ABC franchise with a group date that includes a photo shoot with PEOPLE. (The ninth lady, Peg Munson, had a solo date with Mel instead.)
“I see strong, vibrant characteristics in all of them,” Mel, 66, said during the date, shown in the Wednesday, Oct. 8, episode. “I want that to be captured today.”
Upon hearing the plans, Roxanne Massey tells PEOPLE she recalls thinking, “Are you kidding me?! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Over the course of the day, the women struck their best poses in beachwear as they simultaneously tried to grow their connections with Mel, a former NFL player-turned-lawyer and father of two.
“He coached me through this and made me feel really comfortable,” says Carol Freeman.
Through both the show and their photo shoot, the women — ranging in age from 60 to 66 — were excited to prove that age is truly just a number. It’s a point that’s been addressed on the show because of Mel’s past comments about cutting any woman over 60; He’s since apologized.
Says Robin Rocha: “Mel is one element of this journey, but the other is using this platform to say, ‘We are pretty great no matter what age we are.’”
Read on for more insights from the cast and to find out which of the women on the group date won solo time shooting with Mel.
Beach Patrol
For the shoot, celebrity fitness guru Debbie Siebers, 65, home care agency CEO Gerri Flowers, 64, and retired IRS employee Cheryl Steele, 66, channeled Baywatch lifeguards.
What was your favorite moment from the shoot?
GERRI: Rocking my gold whistle. Blowing that whistle felt like my superpower for the day!
CHERYL: When I turned the corner and I saw Mel on the beach. He’s just so handsome, and he was in his element.
Debbie, in addition to your swimsuit, you got to put on a white dress and do your first-ever wedding style shoot with Mel.
DEBBIE: It was so amazing. I loved the dress. It was so beautiful and so feminine and it just was like a princess moment. I did feel like a bride, and I was so happy. It fit me perfectly, and I was excited for Mel to see me in it.
What was your first impression of Mel?
GERRI: He smiles with his eyes, and every word feels like it comes straight from his heart. I remember thinking, “Okay…this man might just be the real deal.”
CHERYL: That he’s just beautiful. He is so handsome. He’s caring. I could see the love in his eyes for all of us really, but I was hoping just for me.
DEBBIE: Oh, my goodness, he’s even more handsome in person. I think I might be in trouble here.
What has surprised you most about this journey?
GERRI: That I could truly open my heart again. I didn’t expect to feel this ready — not just for love, but for the next chapter. It’s been a beautiful surprise to realize there’s someone out there who’s been waiting for me just as much as I’ve been waiting for them.
CHERYL: That my attraction to Mel began before I even took off on the airplane. I started reading about him and just loving everything I saw. When I saw him ride off that dirt bike the first night, it was stunning. It took my breath away.
DEBBIE: So much. I cannot believe how much we have packed in. It is beyond my imagination. I would’ve never thought that we could accomplish everything we did and have such extraordinary highs and intense lows, and it’s just been incredible. I’m going to be friends with these women for life and I’m just so overwhelmed and overjoyed and grateful.
What pushed you to come on the show?
GERRI: After losing my husband suddenly [when I was] 47, my entire world became about my children — I gave them 150% of my heart for 18 years. Now, I know it’s time to open my heart again. I believe God has someone special for me, and I also believe my late husband, David, would want me to find joy, laughter and love again.
CHERYL: My niece Angelina from Texas came out to visit me from Colorado with her mom, Linda, my sister. We went to dinner, had a martini, and I’m like, “Why are you smiling at me, Angelina?” She’s looking at her phone and just smiling, and she goes, “Auntie, give me four pictures of you now.” 10 minutes go by, and I send her four pictures. She stood up and said, “I just nominated you into The Golden Bachelor.” And, here I am. It’s like she’s my angel.
DEBBIE: I was just tired of being alone. I was ready to find love. I have done all the work on myself, and I really, really have longed to find a companion to just live life with, especially in this last chapter. I thought, “Why not put myself out there and see what happens?”
Pin-Up Girls
Nurse Roxanne Massey and wealth advisor and vineyard owner Robin Rocha, both 63, embraced retro styles for the shoot.
What has surprised you most about this journey?
ROXANNE: I have totally grown so much in so many areas within myself. It’s not just about finding love with Mel, it’s really about finding the love within myself. Just knowing my worth. It’s not based on a man choosing me or not. It’s really choosing myself.
ROBIN: Honestly, the sisterhood that we’ve established, which is phenomenal. Also, I really feel the other element is that I’m trying to accept who I am. We all come with insecurities, but this is who we are. I came to this thinking, hopefully, I’ll find love. I don’t know if I have that connection that the other women have, which is fine. But what I want now is to find a real connection. If I can at least show people acceptance, I think my journey’s done. But I want another rose tomorrow, don’t get me wrong!
Robin, have you gotten to impart your wine expertise on Mel?
ROBIN: A little bit. I think he really enjoys wine, so he’s going to be a quick study.
Roxanne, what has it been like sharing the work you do in grief counseling with the women?
ROXANNE: It was important for me to talk about it because a lot of people don’t know how to handle grief. When you talk about it, that’s part of the healing process. Even though it’s been four years [since I lost my son], I have my waves. And when you’re surrounded by people that understand that, there’s nothing more beautiful. I’m so grateful to have had the experience a couple days ago to talk about my son. I don’t want to talk about his death. I want to talk about his legacy and about what an amazing human being he was. I am here experiencing joy and happiness because I know that’s what my son would have wanted.
Bedroom Beauties
There’s no waking up on the wrong side of the bed with retired aesthetic medical sales rep Cindy Cullers, 60, yoga instructor Nicolle Tiffen, 64, and athlete manager Carol Freeman, 63.
Nicolle, when you arrived on the beach you got a kiss in with Mel.
NICOLLE: There’s a lot of chemistry between Mel and I. In fact, I think he had his hand on my bikini bottoms in some of those shots. I think he snuck a little feel, but that’s okay. I may have kissed him more than anyone, but I’m not shy, so.
Carol, how did it feel shooting in a towel?
CAROL: You know what? Yesterday I was freaking out, and today I’m okay. I’m okay. Everyone picked all the beautiful things and then I was left with a towel. Mel made me feel really comfortable.
What was your favorite moment from the shoot?
CINDY: Favorite moment for sure was making our own movie at the end. We got lost in the moment, kissing in the surf. Absolutely iconic day for me.
Cindy, Mel was in the NFL, you were a dancer for the Dallas Mavericks. Did you bond over that?
CINDY: We connected, but not in the way you would think. Honestly, there’s a lot that goes into being a professional. There’s a lot of time, a lot of effort, and we connected over that, not over the performance.
Carol, you also have an athletic background managing your nephew, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman.
CAROL: Mel and I both have a lot of pro athletes in our family. I think we did connect over that.
What was your first impression of Mel?
CINDY: Oh my gosh. With or without a shirt? With a shirt, he looked so handsome. Absolutely the man of my dreams. Without a shirt, I think it might’ve gotten better. Cheesy.
What pushed you to come on the show?
CINDY: My daughters. They submitted me. Initially I just thought it was a joke, and then it got more and more serious, and I decided I am ready for love, and I hope it’s my turn next.
CAROL: It took a lot of courage for me to do this, to tell you the truth. My youngest daughter didn’t really want me coming on the show, and so I almost didn’t do it. Then she turned around a little bit, and I thought, “I’m doing it.” I’ve been there for them their whole lives. I homeschooled them. I’m like, “You know what? It’s my turn.”
The Golden Bachelor airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
