Amy Kaplan: From “Golden Bachelor” Contestant to the Sought-After Prize

After being eliminated in Week 3 of ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor,” 63-year-old Amy Kaplan from Queens has discovered that rejection on national television can sometimes lead to unexpected opportunities. The vivacious blonde has seen her social media direct messages explode with interest from past dates and complete strangers alike. “My DMs are going crazy,” Kaplan told The Post with evident delight. “Like anyone who I even had one remote single date with or I had a drink with. And some of them are strangers… I’m a kid in a candy store.” This flurry of attention aligns perfectly with her preferred approach to dating—being pursued rather than competing for attention. As she confidently stated on the show, “I am used to men chasing me. I am the prize. They come after me.”

Even before her elimination, Kaplan sensed she and 66-year-old Mel Owens, the former NFL linebacker starring as the Golden Bachelor, weren’t a match. She recalls a telling off-camera moment when she playfully tested his sense of humor in the kitchen while cooking bacon for her castmates. “I held it up, the cameramen followed me, and I said, ‘Who’s a good doggie?'” Kaplan explained. Rather than playing along with her playful banter—perhaps responding with a “ruff ruff” or other humorous reaction—Owens simply looked at her with confusion and asked, “What’s wrong with you?” This interaction confirmed what she already suspected: they weren’t compatible. The lack of shared humor and chemistry made it clear that despite the romantic setting of reality television, some connections simply can’t be manufactured.

Kaplan’s journey to “The Golden Bachelor” came through an unconventional route—her daughters. She’s mother to Allie and Lexi, known professionally as The Kaplan Twins, who have amassed a substantial following of 2 million on TikTok. It was their social media prominence that caught the eye of the show’s casting directors, who reached out directly to her daughters saying, “We need her.” Initially surprised by the interest, Kaplan embraced the opportunity with an open mind: “What? A reality dating show… You know what? I’m open to it. Maybe I meet the love of my life on there.” When Owens was announced as the leading man, Kaplan was intrigued by the prospect of dating someone outside her usual type. “I never dated a jock before, so I was totally open to it for sure,” she explained, demonstrating the adventurous spirit that has clearly resonated with viewers.

Before the season began airing, Owens stirred controversy within Bachelor Nation when he stated on a podcast that his ideal partner would be between 45 and 60 years old, declaring bluntly, “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.” Despite being in her early 60s, Kaplan wasn’t bothered by these comments. “In my head I’m 30 years-old still… I can’t believe I’m in my 60s,” she shared. Her youthful mindset is matched by her commitment to physical fitness: “I’m at the gym two hours a day. I have 30-year-olds next to me. They tell me they’re old. I’m like, ‘Old? Are you kidding me? C’mon!’ And I get them to finish the workout.” This vibrant energy and refusal to be limited by age stereotypes exemplifies why so many viewers—and apparently, potential suitors—have been drawn to her.

Upon meeting Owens in person, Kaplan became even less concerned about his age-related comments, chalking them up to speaking without thinking. She pointed to an incident where he jumped into a pool while still wearing his sneakers and microphone as evidence of his sometimes impulsive nature. This observation reveals Kaplan’s ability to assess people with both humor and insight—a quality that likely serves her well in navigating the dating world. While her time on the show was relatively brief, her impact has been lasting, as evidenced by the outpouring of interest she’s received since her appearance.

What emerges from Amy Kaplan’s post-“Golden Bachelor” experience is a refreshing narrative about dating in one’s 60s. Rather than viewing her elimination as a setback, she’s embraced it as an opportunity to return to a dating style more aligned with her preferences—being pursued rather than competing. Her confidence, humor, and refusal to conform to age-related expectations have transformed her brief reality TV appearance into a platform that’s expanded her dating prospects exponentially. In a culture that often renders women invisible as they age, Kaplan’s story offers an alternative perspective: that vibrancy, authenticity, and a playful spirit can make someone not just visible but highly sought after at any age. As she enjoys her newfound status as “a kid in a candy store,” Kaplan reminds us that sometimes the most golden opportunities come not from winning a competition, but from being authentically yourself in front of millions of viewers.