The Golden Bachelor HEARTBREAK REVISITED — Debbie BREAKS DOWN Seeing Mel Owens at the Tell All, Revealing She STILL Loved Him Despite Feeling "Used for TV"

Debbie Opens Up About 'The Golden Bachelor' Journey: Heartbreak, Healing, and a New Beginning

Debbie, 65, received the clarity she needed during The Golden Bachelor: Women Tell All reunion — and it was far more than just an emotional rollercoaster.

After her heartbreaking elimination in the final rose ceremony before the finale, Debbie found herself grappling with questions that lingered: Did her vulnerability lead Mel Owens to send her home? As she reunited with Mel and the other women for the special reunion episode, she received the answers that would provide her with much-needed closure.

“It was like being teenagers again, just giddy with excitement to see everyone,” Debbie recalls, reflecting on the emotional moment when she saw her fellow contestants after the show. “I was bubbling over with joy, but when I saw Mel again, my feelings were a mix of excitement and sadness. Watching the footage back, though, was tough.”

Throughout her time on the show, Debbie opened up to Mel about her choice not to marry or have children, explaining that the tragic end of her previous relationship — when her ex died by suicide after their breakup 14 years ago — made her cautious about taking those life steps. During their final date at Red Rocks in Denver, Debbie’s personal revelations became a defining moment in their relationship.

“I was really worried that the conversation we had about me choosing to be single, or the fact that I’ve never been married, led to my elimination,” she admits. “But after watching the show, I got the closure I needed. I believe Mel when he says it wasn’t about those things. It was clear that he had a deeper connection with the other women.”

Mel, 66, firmly denied that Debbie’s past or her decision not to have children influenced his decision. “It never crossed my mind at all,” he assured her during the Women Tell All

special. “I wasn’t even thinking about it.”

For Debbie, the emotional journey didn’t stop there. Opening up on camera about her painful past, only to be sent home so soon, was a tough pill to swallow. Reflecting on her experience, she offers advice for those navigating relationships.

“Don’t rush into sharing your deepest personal stories too early. Take time to get to know each other before opening up completely,” she advises. “At least in the first month, focus on having fun and being curious about each other. You don’t have to reveal everything about your past or your struggles right away.”

Her advice: “Hold your vulnerability close. Don’t give it all up right at the start. Let them earn it a little bit more.”

As for what comes next, Debbie is looking toward the future with optimism. Although watching her emotional journey unfold on TV was tough, she now feels more confident than ever.

“It was emotional, especially seeing my hometown again after 15 years of not bringing anyone there. It was such a special moment,” she shares. “To go from that high to being eliminated was hard, but right now, I’m feeling great. I’m feeling hopeful for what’s ahead. I’m proud of myself for putting myself out there and going through this experience. It’s given me a new outlook on life and love.”

The Golden Bachelor airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Hulu.

This revision gives the article a more engaging, emotional, and compelling tone, emphasizing Debbie's vulnerability, growth, and hopeful outlook for the future while keeping the focus on her heartfelt journey through

The Golden Bachelor.

‘9-1-1’ Season 9 Cast Photos & Episode Guide For ABC Series: Angela Bassett, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark & More

9-1-1 returns for Season 9 on ABC in the aftermath of Bobby’s death.

Angela Bassett, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Ryan Guzman, and Kenneth Choi return with new stories as they face new emergencies not only in Los Angeles, but in outer space.

9-1-1 Season 9 premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

The cast of 9-1-1 also includes Corinne Massiah as May, Gavin McHugh as Christopher, Elijah M. Cooper as Harry and Anirudh Pisharody as Ravi Panikkar.

Episode 901 — “Eat The Rich” (October 9): In honor of Bobby Nash’s sacrifice, the 118 comes together to dedicate the firehouse in his memory. Meanwhile, when a billionaire tech giant is involved in a life-or-death emergency, the team must race to his aid.

Episode 902 — “Spiraling” (October 16): As a geostorm ravages Earth, Athena and Hen’s space mission teeters on the edge. On the ground, the 118 battles chaos when technology goes rogue. Mark Consuelos guest stars.

9-1-1 is a procedural drama created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear. The series originally premiered on Fox in 2018 and moved to ABC in 2024, starting with Season 7. The series explores the high-pressure experiences of first responders — including police officers, firefighters and dispatchers — who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. The show draws from real-life, high-pressure experiences of first responders who regularly face heart-stopping situations that are often unpredictable, intense and uplifting at the same time.

Scroll through the photo gallery below to see the 9-1-1 Season 9 cast.