{"id":199830,"date":"2025-10-18T14:55:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T14:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/18\/golden-bachelors-carol-breaks-down-her-tough-early-exit-excl\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T14:55:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T14:55:09","slug":"golden-bachelors-carol-breaks-down-her-tough-early-exit-excl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/18\/golden-bachelors-carol-breaks-down-her-tough-early-exit-excl\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden Bachelor’s Carol Breaks Down Her ‘Tough’ Early Exit (Excl)"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Golden Bachelor<\/a> <\/i>star Carol Freeman-Branstine<\/strong> is explaining the reason behind her decision to leave Mel Owens<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 season early.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a tough decision, it really was,\u201d Carol, 63, exclusively told Us Weekly <\/i>at the Golden Bachelor <\/i>Gal\u2019s Brunch on Thursday, October 16. \u201cI never really been the one that leaves, so it was a new beginning for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the Wednesday, October 15, episode of the reality TV dating show, Carol told Mel, 66, that she planned to go home<\/a> in the middle of a group date because their relationship hadn\u2019t progressed enough to justify staying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did feel like he was connected to me, [but] I want someone connected to me and choosing me first,\u201d Carol explained. \u201cI decided what\u2019s best for me, and I have to protect my heart, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Golden Bachelor’s Mel Admits He Has ‘Reservations’ Before 3 Hometowns<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tGolden Bachelor Mel Owens is narrowing down his list of potential matches ahead of meeting their loved ones. \u201cThere\u2019s only three families that I\u2019m going to meet next week. Choosing is going to be tough. But I\u2019m looking for love, I\u2019m looking for that special feeling with one of these women,\u201d Mel, 66, said during [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

She added, \u201cYes, I wanted to fall in love, but in the end, I have to be OK with myself, as well, so I decided to part.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Carol went home, Mel narrowed down his remaining ladies down to his final three going into hometowns. Debbie Siebers<\/strong><\/a>, Peg Munson<\/strong><\/a> and Cindy Angelcyk Cullers<\/strong><\/a> all received roses at the end of Wednesday\u2019s episode.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not surprised [by] those three. They definitely all had the best connection,\u201d Carol told Us<\/i> of Mel\u2019s picks. \u201cI think it\u2019s a good three [and] it\u2019s going [to] be tough to choose from those three, I have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

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According to Carol, the remaining contestants are \u201call completely different\u201d from one another.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe really didn\u2019t give us any direction this season because \u2026 I don\u2019t know which direction he\u2019s going,\u201d Carol said on Thursday. \u201cI don\u2019t know [what] makes it so strong, but I just know that you can see the connection with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Carol doesn\u2019t know how Mel\u2019s season will end, she does believe that he could find The One by the finale.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he could. I mean, what are you gonna wait for?\u201d she quipped. \u201cHe\u2019s already graduated from college, he has his career. It\u2019s not, like, we have to wait [until you] get out of school. I think he should.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Picks His Final 3 Ahead of Hometowns<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tSeason 2 Golden Bachelor Mel Owens is down to his final three. The 66-year-old former NFL player (turned lawyer turned reality TV personality) handed out three roses on the Wednesday, October 15, episode of the ABC series, giving Peg, Debbie and Cindy coveted hometown dates. \u201cYour families, of course, are your biggest protectors and have [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mel previously told Us <\/i>that all of the women on his season were truly incredible.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe women are great, and you\u2019re going to see that they\u2019re great,\u201d Mel told Us <\/i>last month<\/a> ahead of the Golden Bachelor <\/i>season premiere. \u201cThey carry the show. They\u2019re wonderful, and they\u2019re feisty and smart, and truly, you\u2019re going to see the passion from them. It\u2019s a great, great show.\u201d<\/p>\n

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