The Golden Bachelor Season 2 has sparked curiosity, especially with the appearance of a contestant who brings an unexpected MLB connection: Carol Freeman. From the very first night, Carol made a memorable impression on Mel Owens, the show's lead and former NFL player. When she stepped out of the limo donned in a sparkling FREEMAN jacket and casually tossed Mel a baseball saying, “They told me you’re a good catch…hopefully we can both hit it out of the park,” viewers knew there was something special about her.
But Carol’s connection to baseball isn’t just about fandom—she is actually the aunt and manager of Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers star first baseman who Mel admires greatly. Beyond their shared sports enthusiasm, both Mel and Carol have similar life experiences; they have each been married before and currently live in Orange County, making their potential match feel almost destined in the eyes of Bachelor Nation.
So, who is Carol Freeman-Branstine, the intriguing contestant on The Golden Bachelor? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about her, from her official bio to her personality and social media presence.
According to her official Golden Bachelor biography, Carol is what you might call a “total girl boss.” She dedicated years to raising her three daughters—whom she calls the pride of her life—before stepping back into the workforce as the full-time manager for her pro-athlete nephew, Freddie Freeman. Not only that, but Carol recently returned to college as a mature student, humorously noting that she now qualifies for both student and senior discounts, demonstrating her zest for learning and life. Despite a fulfilling life filled with family and hard work, Carol openly shares that she is still looking for one crucial element: a partner to share her journey with. Her goal on the show is to discover a meaningful, lasting relationship, and many hope that Mel might be the one.
In Episode 3, Carol opened up about her dating history, revealing she has only had one boyfriend and one husband, and that she’s been on just two dates in the last five years. This honesty showed her vulnerability and difficulty in opening up emotionally to Mel. However, after some advice from Golden Bachelor alum Susan Noles, Carol seemed ready to take more chances and be more forthcoming with her feelings. Her ability to have fun was showcased in Episode 2 during a group date roast where she performed a stand-up comedy act. Despite losing her notes and not preparing any jokes in advance, Carol improvised brilliantly, joking, “So I heard on the podcast that Mel likes to date 40-60 year olds right? That’s the first thing we have in common. He was looking for a younger woman, and I was looking for a rich quarterback.” Her wit and humor made it clear she can let loose and enjoy herself.
Now for some lighter, fun tidbits about Carol that reveal her unique personality:
- She admits to drinking more Diet Coke than water.
- She is a fan of Bad Bunny.
- She can play the tambourine skillfully.
Think about it—a former NFL player and a Bad Bunny fan who can rock the tambourine? It almost sounds like a recipe for a Super Bowl party if they stay together post-show.
If you want to keep up with Carol beyond the show, she’s active on Instagram under the handle @carol_free14, where she already had a following of 2,473 before Episode 4 aired.
As for insider gossip, reality TV spoiler Reality Steve doesn’t have many updates on The Golden Bachelor Season 2, so fans will need to stay tuned to see how far Carol goes this season. Given that she has made it through the first three rose ceremonies, it’s clear she’s made a significant impression on Mel.
New episodes of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 air every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET on ABC. Are you rooting for Carol to find lasting love? Or do you think her MLB connection and quick wit might create some unexpected twists? Share your thoughts—do you believe her storylines bring something fresh to the show, or is it all just a clever strategy? The conversation is open!
