The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - The Golden Age with Cindy Cullers PART 1

Episode Date: December 11, 2025

Ben and Ashley finally meet Mel’s runner up from the latest season of The Golden Bachelor and there is SO MUCH to cover! Cindy Cullers is here and spilling everything from her time with Mel Owens. Find out what Cindy thought about Mel’s desire to only date women under 60, and we hear everything about her famous martial arts expert ex! Plus, she shares her thoughts on the future of the Golden franchise!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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His brother Larry, a mystery Gabe didn't want to solve until it was too late. He was the head of this gang. You're going to push that line for the cause? Took us under his wing and showed us the game, as they call it. When Larry's killed, Gabe must untangle the dangerous past, one that could destroy everything he thought he knew. Listen to the Brothers Ortiz on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everybody, it's Chuck and Josh from the Stuff You Should Know podcast, and it's that time of year again when we knuckle down to do our annual holiday episodes.

We collected our best past classic holiday episodes and compiled them into a 12 days of Christmas toys playlist that the whole family can enjoy. That's right. Maybe you missed it the first time we detailed the history of Beanie Babies, Monopoly, or Yo-Yo's, and a whole lot more. So listen to the 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? Who catfishes a city? Is it even safe to snort human remains? Is that the plot of footloos? I'm comedian Rory Scoville, and I'm here to tell you, Josh Dean and I have a new podcast that celebrates the amazing creativity of the world's dumbest criminals. It's called Crimeless. True Crime Comedy Podcast.

Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman'scut Bourbon.com or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cup Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky.

For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit gentlemen's cuthuburn.com. Please enjoy responsibly. This is the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast with IHartRadio. Hey, everybody, it's the Almost Famous Podcasts today, Ashley and myself are thrilled because we have someone coming on the podcast that we have been rooting for through the latest season of The Golden Bachelor. In a fact, Ashley thought this person was going to win.

She's intelligent, sophisticated, a great dancer, and let's not forget, absolutely stunning. I'm talking about Cindy. Cindy, welcome to the Almost Fans Podcast. Oh, my gosh, that was just incredible. What a warm welcome. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. I have no words for you.

You deserve it all. You are the classiest lady. You are the golden bachelorette that I pray for. You are seriously so, you'd be so perfect in that role. And I'm just, in my opinion, and our audience knows, I don't know that Mel has set us up for another golden installment. But if they had, if there is to be one, you would be a fantastic lead because you have all the characteristics of what makes somebody golden.

That's a good question there, though. I mean, Cindy, to kick us off, do you think there'll be another season? I hope so. I know that when I watched the previous two seasons of the Golden Bachelor and the Golden Bachelorette, and even watching our season of the Golden Bachelor, of course, I'm invested in it because I'm in it. But there's some issues that I think are worthy to explore, and I think people are fascinated by the dynamics. Okay, let me just give you my hot take, all right? So as I'm out and about, you know, it's been kind of fun to be recognized by different.

people and the bachelor nation it's a real thing like the bachelor nation is is awesome but there's another group of people who are not part of bachelor nation they haven't ever watched it who have watched our show and I know it because they come up to me and I can't figure out the demographic of it you know I'm an analytical person I'm trying to you know okay well people like me are they women in their 50s 60 70s is that who it is yes I do have those I was at a football game and this mom came over to me and said, I recognize you. Actually, I didn't recognize you. My son recognized you. He's an 11-year-old who was watching. And we're going to get a family picture with you, if that's okay, but he wants his own picture with you. I was at a concert and these two twin men come over.

They're in their 50s, completely awesome cowboys. They come over and they're like, we've been watching you on this season. So I think there's a fascination to what's going on in the golden years. when it comes to a relationship that I think people are very curious to see. I was curious to see it. And I hope they continue. I think it's an interesting dialogue. I kids learned a lot about me. I learned a lot about me.

I think the audience learned a lot about all of us by watching the show. I think Ben and I both learned a lot about ourselves. I matured so much. I know it's shocking for people to hear that I matured through that. But I definitely did. Only because you don't need to mature any longer. Thanks. so Cindy when Mel was first announced soon after he made some not so bright comments on a podcast about not wanting to date anyone in their 60s

I guess not being aware that the cast is always going to be in their 60s did you have any second guesses about being on his season I did I okay a couple things happened he was announced my daughter texts me and we didn't know it at that time but we were all super excited because on paper we looked to be a very good match. And, you know, that proves out, I think, during the season. Later on, when that broadcast or that podcast was revealed, I went directly to the podcast. I read the transcripts, but then I wanted to hear Mel's voice in it. And I was very concerned about how very effort-vestly he was interested in dating that younger group. I've got lots of friends who date younger.

I don't have a problem with that, but please don't go on the goal. Golden Bachelor, where I'm 60, and I'm probably going to be one of the youngest ones on the show. What are we doing here? So I had a conversation with the producer that I had been talking to and just expressed my concerns. And she had told me that they've talked to Mel. They had a conversation. It was just kind of a misunderstanding. And I decided to go ahead and continue on.

But, yeah, I was definitely concerned about his comments, who wouldn't be? I mean, I guess let's drill into that a little bit, though. I would be very concerned, especially if I was you. I'd feel almost like offended and then hurt and confused. And in an environment that already burrs insecurity, those comments would have made me very hesitant to step out of the limo into the mansion. And so I guess what made you say, yes, this is still a good idea. I'm going to turn that question around on you.

And when you talk about when it spurs insecurity, right, a lot of people think that a woman should feel insecure maybe if a man wants to date a younger category. And I actually think that golden women in particular, and, you know, Ashley, too, because she's wise beyond your years. And Ben, you too, we see that men who date so much younger might also be a red flag.

And I think the question really is more, is that are we watching his insecurity? Okay. So I think that's fair, but then the question still comes about, either direction. You still said yes. I still said yes. I think that you probably hadn't met a group of women like I was about to participate in. I don't know the other women, but I know me. And by the way, I still fit as category because I'm sick.

60 and younger 60 and youthful and I will let's just talk about this though because I think this is one of the issues that's very valuable in the you know amongst my friends and people my age group is people dating outside of their age group I heard something very interesting from someone and I don't have any evidence of it but when they said it I thought wow that seems true they said that men tend to date people when they're out of a relationship out when they for example go through a divorce or lose their spouse they tend to date someone who is in the age group for when they were last happy wow that's super interesting think about that and women tend to date into a lifestyle that they want i mean you've you've known this since you know knowledge for a bit do you think that's true i mean

it's a very interesting thing to think about i think it's kind of true I think it's kind of true. And just anecdotally, just think about the friends that you might have who are dating in a different age category. I tend to date people who I like to say went to high school with me, you know, plus or minus four years. Mel was outside of my dating age group as well. Traditionally, I never liked veering above or below four years. Yeah. Yeah, we're both high schoolers, yeah.

Yeah. So for me, I knew I was dating outside my. range to date Mel and I knew I would be outside of his range. I was on the older group ironically and he was in my older group as well. But he had enough on paper that I had seen. I had also watched a YouTube. My oldest daughter should be a spy. This woman can find out anything about anyone. And she sent me some data and I said, okay, what else you got? She goes, no, mom, I'm not going to show you everything because I want you to discover him for who he is. But she sat with me on the couch right here we watched that TV and we watched a YouTube of a guy who I'm going to try to say

this kindly he was he was talking about a sporting event and he was clearly outclassed by interviewing Mel Mel knew a lot more than this guy knew Mel never made him feel insecure never made him feel like that was a stupid question so I was balancing also the dynamic that I saw of that Mel and all the other things on paper with the podcast and that was kind of countered by what my producer said that they had spoken to him about.

So before we get into your deeper into your relationship with Mel, we're very eager to know all your thoughts, especially looking back on it. But first, since your divorce, you dated Chuck Norris? Oh, no, I did Chuck Norris in my 20s. Oh my gosh, when he was a cool,

when he was really a get. He still did, Ashley, it's tough Norris. That means can take down the world with one hand. Yeah, I mean, he's one of the classiest best gentleman I've had the privilege to spend time with. But he, this is, oh, you guys don't even know. We were writing on tablets with like, you know, etching tools back then. And there was no internet. I was living in L.A.

And I had moved from Orange County up to this hotel off of Mulholland and the 405. and waiting for my, I just moved there and waiting to get an apartment. And somebody at the front desk said, hey, there's another guest at the hotel who saw you and thought you were cute and wanted to know if you would like to join them for drinks. And I said, well, who is it? Do I, and they're like, well, he's kind of famous and told me it was Chuck Norris. I didn't know who Chuck Norris was. And there's no internet back then for me to look it up. All I know is he's a very nice gentleman.

And we met and people would come over and interrupt us and ask for his autograph. And I remember saying to him one day, like, hey, where's my autograph? And the next time we saw each other, he brought me an 8 by 10 that he'd signed. I still have, I have a photo of it. It's in my storage unit, but I have a photo on my phone of it. And then I realized his kids were about my age and that kind of freaked me out. I was, you know, very young. And he's, how old is he now in his 80s?

He's in his 80s now. He's 85. I'm looking at shirtless pictures of him and it's 50. He looks good. Yeah, right. He was, and he was so nice. He was such a gentleman, not letcherous at all, really a nice man. And I think it was probably refreshing for him, but I didn't know who he was and was new to the town.

And it was just a very sweet relationship. It wasn't very long. But yes, I had a couple dates with Chuck Norris and can't say anything. bad about that guy. He was awesome. Aw. It's something that wasn't brought up enough, though. I feel like Chuck Norris is one of those guys that has defied what most people can do with their careers where people my age know all about him and still watch the shows.

You watch Texas Ranger or whatever it was called? Oh, my gosh. Yes. I remember when Conan O'Brien used to do this sketch about it. And my sister and I would like, pee our pants laughing. That's the extent that I know. He's just so well known. He's cross-generational thresholds, and I think that's such a cool thing.

Anyways, we could talk about Chuck Norris for a long time. Can I make one more quick? Let me just make one more comment about it. So I've got three daughters, right? And I'm the most unful person in their minds as they're growing up, just like your parents were probably uncool to you. And so I'm like, no, no, I was cool. I danced for the Mavericks.

I had a dated Chuck Norris, and they're all like, whatever, whatever, mom, that's so not a big deal. And then one of Sarah, one of my oldest daughter's friends, found out that I dated Chuck Norris, and now I'm a superstar. And those boys were like, oh, my gosh, did you know Mrs. Colors dated Chuck Norris? So I was a big superstar to their friends. But you're right. He crossed many generations in his appeal. Now, Cindy, speaking of your family, your daughters are wonderful, it seems, from what we got to, you know, what we've gotten to know about them. When you were on the show, were they only excited?

Were they nervous? I mean, have they? You said that when they were growing up, you were the least cool person they possibly could know. But I'm sure as they've gotten older, they've realized just how great you are. Kind of what was their sentiment as you left and then stayed? What was Caroline, my youngest is the one who got me into it. And they all were very supportive of it. they, you know, when I say they didn't think I was cool, they've always had a healthy respect

for me. And our relationship is precious. I know everybody thinks they've got a good relationship with their kids, but mine is really special. I am God's favorite, abundantly blessed, and they are my crowning jewels, those three, as well as my two son-in-laws. They were supportive. They thought that Mel was going to be a good match. And my middle daughter, Emily, two days after we filmed, I was wrapping and came home to Austin, did some laundry, then headed out to her wedding in Italy. So our family had a lot going on. I think the biggest concern was what would happen if we had a glitch with the wedding planning, you know, or anything that happens as you lead up to a wedding, and they couldn't reach me. I think that was their biggest question.

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I was a Cindy fan, but you were like wearing the t-shirts, Ashley, during the season. Yeah. How did I never notice that her eyes are like radiant and like staring through? I don't know because I always noticed that and I heard that they were even more stunning

in real life from Kathy. Oh, Kathy. Kathy. Cindy, your eyes are wild. I can't even look at you. My kids call them marbles. Yeah, I can see that. Marbles.

I'm like, that's interesting. I had to thank you mom and dad and grandpa Floyd. Sorry, Ashley. Your daughter's like so much like you too. Just like a gorgeous group of women. You ought to see us together because we act alike. Yeah. So down in downtown Austin where I live, you'll see people the same age group.

Like people like me tonight. I'm going out with some girlfriends, or you'll see the younger ones like my kids, but you don't really see a lot of the parents with their kids, even though it's a college town. You just don't see it often. And we'll roll up into a place, and it'll be me and my, you know, copy paste, copy paste, copy paste, all three of us. And then we act alike and we talk alike and we have the same mannerisms and the same engagement. And people just are fascinated. They call us the Kardashians sometimes.

That's so cute. The Kardashians of Austin. Amazing. Another reason why you need to be on our TVs again. All right. So Cindy, you fell hard fast for Mel and you were so open about it throughout the entire thing. I've got to know now in hindsight. Was it the Bachelor bubble or did you really feel that much for him? Okay. Some of it's edited. So the first date, the first group date, remember, we're cheering. And it literally is, the day was made, God made that day for me. No question about it. The overlap with, it's a cheer thing. It's at USC models, I mean, SMU models after USC. So I felt like it was back on my college campus.

It's at this amazing stadium and I have such a reverence for sports. It was Paula Abdul who did choreography for me when I was a Maverick's dancer. We're back dancing. I have Caroline on the phone doing a, doing a concert that we jerry and i just prayed for her just as synchronicity she's with diana ross who mel lived across the alley from literally i thought for no other reason i am assured that today god has said you are supposed to be here okay so i have that assurance from them whether it was because of mel or whether it was because of another reason i was assured that that was he went before me 30 years

maybe more to set up a day like that. Amazing. So I was feeling all of that that was a little overwhelming. And then Mel was, I mean, nothing short of fantastic. I mean, our little smooches walking down the stadium, it was awesome. But in the editing, when I said, I'm falling in love with Mel, what was cut, understandably so, because Cindy tends to talk a lot. What was cut is when I said there's a lot of different types of love.

This is like puppy love. When you're around a puppy, they're so cute, they're wagging their tail. and you just want to be around them all the time. And that's what I was feeling from Mel. That wasn't the mature love. It wasn't, you know, there's a lot that goes into it. But early on, I thought, man, there's something, there's something to this. Something to this.

I still feel that way. Yeah, it was a great, a great possibility all along. Well, we have even more to talk about. So we're going to break this into a second episode. You can stay tuned. See that on your feed pop up. Until then, we'll see you next time. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcasts on IHartRadio,

or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. I know he has a reputation, but it's going to catch up to him. Gabe Ortiz is a cop. His brother Larry, a mystery Gabe didn't want to solve until it was too late. He was the head of this gang. You're going to push that line for the cause. Took us under his wing and showed us the game, as they call it. When Larry's killed, Gabe my son,

angle of dangerous past, one that could destroy everything he thought he knew. Listen to the Brothers Ortiz on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everybody, it's Chuck and Josh from the Stuff You Should Know podcast, and it's that time of year again, when we knuckle down to do our annual holiday episodes. We collected our best past classic holiday episodes and compiled them into a 12 days of Christmas toys playlist that the whole family can enjoy. That's right, maybe you missed it the first time we detailed the history of Beanie Baby

Monopoly or Yo-Yo's and a whole lot more. So listen to the 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Have you ever listened to those true crime shows and found yourself with more questions than answers? Who catfishes a city? Is it even safe to snort human remains?

Is that the plot of Footloose? I'm comedian Rory Scoville, and I'm here to tell you, Josh Dean and I have a new podcast that celebrates the amazing creativity of the world's dumbest criminals. It's called Crimeless, a true crime comedy podcast. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut. I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different is me being a part of developing the profile of this beautiful finished product. With every sip, you get a little something different. Visit Gentleman's Cut Bourbon.com or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo. This message is intended for audiences 21 and older. Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky. For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, please visit Gentleman'scutburbon.com.

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