Lafayette Designer Joins Cast of Golden Bachelor Season 2

Lafayette is once again in the national television spotlight. The city has produced contestants on shows ranging from American Idol to Big Brother, where Lafayette’s own Lauren Domingue is currently competing. Now, another familiar face is stepping into the limelight, this time on ABC’s The Golden Bachelor.

Meet Tracy Thompson

Tracy Thompson, a 62-year-old professional interior designer originally from Lafayette, is among 23 women cast for Season 2 of the hit dating show. Like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, the format follows contestants as they vie for a chance at romance, with one man ultimately offering his “final rose.”

Thompson, who now lives in Houston, made her presence known right away in ABC’s promo video by proudly showing off her Louisiana roots.

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She said she loves dancing, especially jitterbugging, a nod to the Cajun and Zydeco rhythms that are part of life back home.

Competing for Mel Owens’ Heart

This season’s Golden Bachelor is Mel Owens, a 66-year-old lawyer and former NFL linebacker from Orange County, California. Owens was a first-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Rams in 1981 and later transitioned into a legal career. He describes himself as eager to “rediscover a love rooted in the simple joys of companionship.”

Owens will meet 22 women, ages 58 to 77, when the series premieres on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Central on ABC.

More Than a Contestant

According to her Facebook page, Thompson welcomed a granddaughter earlier this year and runs her own design business. Friends and family have already begun rallying behind her, cheering on her upcoming appearance on national television.

As Lafayette prepares to follow her journey, many will be tuning in to see if Thompson brings home more than just memories, maybe even the final rose.