The host also shares his thoughts on Mel’s tough conversations with Cindy and Peg’s daughters.

Golden Bachelor host Jesse Palmer on Debbie’s ‘heartbreaking’ exit: ‘That woman deserves to find true love’

The host also shares his thoughts on Mel's tough conversations with Cindy and Peg's daughters.

By Kristen Baldwin

Kristen Baldwin

Kristen Baldwin is a TV critic for **, and a writer and editor with 25 years of experience in entertainment journalism. Prior to EW, she served as editor-in-chief of Yahoo Entertainment, and is currently a member of the Television Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. She does not know how to football the Super Bowl.

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October 23, 2025 2:23 p.m. ET

Mel says goodbye to Debbie on 'The Golden Bachelor'. Credit:

*Each week this season, *The* *Golden Bachelor *host Jesse Palmer will answer a few questions about Mel's "journey" to find "love." Today, Jesse shares his thoughts via email about Mel's tough conversation with the families, Debbie's sad goodbye, and more.***

**: Before we get into hometown dates, we must address an important sartorial question. Has Mel always worn this many bracelets??? Have they just been hidden under his suits this whole time?**

**JESSE PALMER: **Mel is a big fan of the bracelets. I think he might be moonlighting as a shaman on ayahuasca retreats in his spare time.

Mel with Peg (and his many, many bracelets) on 'The Golden Bachelor'.

**Debbie's story about losing the last man she loved to suicide was heartbreaking. Then to see her get sent home, after she finally opened her heart up to love again, was really hard to take. Jesse, please give us some words of wisdom to make us feel better about this!****

I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for Debbie to open up about, and I give her so much credit for being so brave and vulnerable in that moment with Mel. Debbie took a leap of faith and was willing to open her heart to finding love on this journey, and the fact that she didn’t find it with Mel after everything she’s endured in her life is heartbreaking. It’s my most sincere hope that she’ll continue to keep her heart open, because that woman deserves to find true love.

Debbie and Mel on 'The Golden Bachelor'.

**Both Peg's daughter and Cindy's daughters were worried about how "tight-lipped" Mel was about his feelings for their respective moms. And when Cindy asked Mel directly about his feelings, he once again didn't give her much to go on. Watching this, I felt frustrated for all the women (including the daughters!). What was your reaction to these conversations?****

I know Mel was being very cautious to not overpromise with the women and families during hometowns, and we all want these amazing women to receive some form of reassurance. I’ve been in that situation before, and it feels like a tightrope because you want to put everyone’s heart at rest, without regretting what you might say later on.

Cindy's daughter Sarah grills Mel on 'The Golden Bachelor'.

**Speaking of these conversations with family, were you surprised that the daughters were really coming in hot with tough questions — while the brothers and sons seemed more chill?**

I loved that the daughters were bringing the heat! You could really see how close they all are with their moms, and they want to protect their hearts. Good on them for taking advantage of their opportunities to ask Mel the tough questions, while the men were all bro-ing out with the former NFL player!**

'Golden Bachelor' host Jesse Palmer reacts to unexpected exit ahead of hometown dates: 'It’s a personal decision'

'Golden Bachelor' star Gerry Turner engaged to new girlfriend 15 months after divorcing show's winner

**Finally, in other Bachelor news, you're going to be hosting a show on HGTV next year where 12 Bachelor Nation alums will compete to renovate the iconic Bachelor mansion. Please convince me that I should not be worried for our beloved Casa Bachelor. **

Don’t worry, Casa Bachelor is in good hands! I am AMAZED at how talented our former cast is with respect to home renovation. The mansion is receiving a major upgrade all thanks to them!

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. *

*The Golden Bachelor *airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.**

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