Mel Owens had some tough decisions to make during last week’s episode of The Golden Bachelor, but there was one that was made for him. Ahead of the rose ceremony, one of the remaining six ladies, Carol Freeman-Branstine, decided to leave the show.
Carol made the decision on the group date. She told Mel that she was self-eliminating and ended their relationship on the spot. He didn’t fight back, letting her know that he “respected” the decision. After the episode aired, Carol opened up to Swooon and other media outlets about why she walked away.
Why did Carol leave The Golden Bachelor?
Carol explained that she left Mel because she had to “guard [her] heart” and didn’t feel like she and the former NFL star were “connecting.” She explained, “I think I was just guarding myself and making sure that I’m going to be OK as well. Because even though I did feel a little connection with him, I could see that he had better connections with the other women in the house.”
During the episode, Carol expressed her concerns about being the only woman who did not get a one-on-one date during the season. The final one-on-one before hometown dates went to Cindy Cullers, which left Carol second-guessing where she stood with Mel.
“I’m so glad Cindy got it, believe me, she was one of my best friends in the house,” Carol shared. “But we looked at each other because she was trying to tell me, ‘Don’t, it’s going to be OK, it’s going to be OK.’ And I looked at her, like, unless he takes me on a date, there’s no way I could have brought him home to my family. So I kind of knew then. I mean, could you? Not one date? I don’t know. Because that’s a big deal.”
Carol confirmed that she feels “good” about her decision and will “stick to it” now. However, she did note that Mel is a “great guy, so handsome, so nice to me, and very engaging.”
Who is left on The Golden Bachelor Season 2?
After Carol’s self-elimination, the remaining five women went to the rose ceremony. Mel gave roses to Cindy, Debbie Siebers, and Peg Munson, which meant that Nicolle Briscoe and Cheryl Steele were eliminated.
Cindy, Debbie, and Peg will introduce Mel to their families, and then he’ll have to send one more home before heading into the final week of dates with his remaining two women.
The Golden Bachelor, Season 2, Wednesdays, 9/8c, ABC
