Golden Bachelor’s Mel and Peg Address Cindy’s Remarks

Although no engagement transpired, Mel Owens and Peg Munson discovered a genuine bond during the season 2 finale of The Golden Bachelor.

“We’re feeling fantastic. We’re really excited,” Peg shared exclusively with Us Weekly the day after the finale and the After the Final Rose special aired. “We’re relieved and eager to progress in our journey together.”

During the season finale, Mel, 66, committed to Peg, 62, presenting her with a Neil Lane diamond promise ring after runner-up Cindy Cullers opted to self-eliminate prior to the fantasy suites. Cindy, 60, departed after Mel indicated he was not yet prepared for an engagement.

“It’s a brief process, and perhaps you don’t have all the answers … But I want my partner to feel an intense connection, as if he’s been struck by lightning and can’t live without me,” Cindy expressed before leaving.

Upon her return for AFR on November 12, Cindy stated she wouldn’t change a thing, emphasizing that she shouldn’t have to persuade a man to love her.

“If we had written a book, it could have been the most enchanting fairy tale. It was the beginning of something extraordinary. It had the potential to be amazing,” she told host Jesse Palmer, adding, “He envisioned a comic book—something shorter, lighter, and without commitment. Meanwhile, I’m ready for everything.”

In response to that comment, Mel was direct with Us.

“I won’t waste my time commenting on her trivial remark because it’s not worth addressing,” he stated. “But, as I told her, I know I’m not going to take that leap of faith. My life doesn’t function that way.”

Peg highlighted that she wasn’t searching for “a knight in shining armor to rescue her,” but sought a committed partner. She and Mel agreed they needed more time before considering an engagement or marriage proposal.

“As Peg mentioned, it involves more than simply completing the journey and then proposing at the end because the show dictates that you should. That’s just not realistic,” Mel shared with Us. “[Cindy] wanted the conclusion before the journey was completed, which isn’t how it works. She desired the answers before experiencing the journey. So, it doesn’t concern me at all.”

Mel added, “My connection with Peg is significantly stronger than it was with Cindy. There was never a doubt in my mind. [Cindy] chose to leave on her own … She just wanted to preserve her dignity and exit before the process was finished. She had that choice and exercised it.”

Unlike Cindy, Peg discussed her feelings about engagement with Mel in the fantasy suite.

“We really took the time to sit down and talk about it. ‘What does our relationship look like moving forward? How do we merge our lives?’ It was a real conversation, not one rooted in fantasy. We were fundamentally on the same page,” Peg conveyed to Us. “We needed a solid foundation for our relationship because we want something enduring—something built on a firm foundation that lasts rather than jumping into marriage and then saying, ‘Nope, it didn’t work out’ three months later.”

Peg stated that Mel “doesn’t just possess integrity; he is integrity,” always honest about his expectations from the show. “He won’t express love if he doesn’t genuinely feel it; he keeps it real. That’s one quality I truly admire about him,” she remarked.

Mel confirmed his intention was to be honest with all the women in his season and take an authentic approach.

“Not one woman claimed that I disrespected or misled them. Maybe TV fans don’t appreciate sincerity, but that’s what I offered,” Mel told Us. “If I didn’t love them, there was no way I was going to express that.”

He continued, “I’ve seen The Bachelor enough to know that some contestants declare ‘I love you’ multiple times, leaving everyone confused. I didn’t do that because it’s not my nature. I remain true to myself, whether on the show or outside of it.”

Despite Cindy’s comments during the finale, she insisted she wanted Mel to find happiness.

“Everyone deserves to find the love they seek. Our desires just differed,” she expressed on AFR, adding, “His analogy about finishing the game? I realized I was at the wrong venue.”

She concluded, “It was great to watch back. He’s just not the one for me. He deserves to be happy with whatever relationship he desires. I have my choices too.”

As for Mel and Peg, they are excited to enjoy public outings and partake in “everyday” activities together.

“We plan to spend time with my daughter and his sons, hit the gym, travel, enjoy a great Saturday football [game], cook, and barbecue. He’s an excellent cook and often prepares meals for me, which is incredible,” Peg shared with Us about their future together. “We just want to relish normal everyday life.”

The Golden Bachelor is currently available on Hulu.