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“The Bachelor” community of fans and alum have caller for the show to cast contestants of color more consistently.
What’s going on:
- Ten “Bachelor” fans have launched the new The Bachelor Diversity campaign on Monday, calling for the ABC show to more “consistently cast BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color),” according to USA Today.
- The campaign supports the Black Lives Matter movement, which has launched protests across the country after the killing of George Floyd.
- The group said: “Representation matters, and it is one of the most important ways our country can embrace its diversity and evolve. We will use our power as viewers and fans to hold ABC and Warner Bros. accountable and demand they use their platform in a more thoughtful, race-conscious, and socially responsible way. It’s time that ABC, Mike Fleiss, and Warner Bros. take demonstrable action to address the inequalities in casting, screen time, and employment of minority groups.”
- The campaign calls for a new black lead for the 2021 season and include at least 35% of contestants who are black, indigenous and people of color.
The only season with a black lead
- Per USA Today, stars from the show have supported the petition, including Rachel Lindsay, JoJo Fletcher, Ben Higgins, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Desiree Siegfried, Tyler Cameron, Bibiana Julian, Dustin Kendrick, Olivia Caridi, Onyeka Ehie, Devin Harris, Alayah Benavidez, Mykenna Dorn, Amanda Stanton and Ashley Spivey.
- Rachel Lindsay has been the only black lead for “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette” in the show’s 40 different seasons, per E! News.