The Bachelor franchise finally has a black lead contestant, and it’s only been fifteen years!
Yes, that’s right- one of America’s most popular reality shows took fifteen years to introduce a black lead. While they’ve had black contestants compete against each other for the lead, they’ve never had a black Bachelor/Bachelorette until now, when the show announced Rachel Lindsay, currently a contestant on Nick’s season, as the next Bachelorette.
Rachel Lindsay has been a fan favorite from the start- she even won the first impression rose. Plus, she’s poised, mature, and definitely smart. She has an established career as an attorney and is a total #GirlBoss.
So, it makes total sense ABC picked her as their newest Bachelorette. However, when it was announced they’d be revealing the new lead on Jimmy Kimmel after last Monday’s episode, I assumed it would be whoever went home that night (it ended up being Danielle), because why would they reveal a new lead if they’re still on Nick’s season? Doesn’t that completely spoil the show?
That didn’t stop ABC! I felt shocked when I heard it was Rachel. I mean, it seemed like she totally had a chance with Nick! I really did think she would win his heart and the ring, but I guess not.
I haven’t been following the Bachelor franchise for many seasons, so I didn’t even realize they’ve never cast a non-white person as a lead on either show. When I found out Rachel was the first black Bachelorette OR Bachelor, I felt shocked. How could such a popular show get away with being so not-diverse for so long? Of course, it also made ABC’s decision much more clear. They wanted to brag about reveal their new “diversity” initiative ASAP.
I do plan on watching Rachel’s season, because I genuinely think Rachel has a heart of gold and won’t take any BS from the men. It’ll be nice to see a woman with such a high level of maturity whip the contestants into shape and weed out the boys from the men. I’m disappointed in ABC for taking so long to cast a minority, and I’m disappointed in their decision to spoil a season just for the sake of looking good, but I won’t let ABC’s decisions effect my opinion of Rachel.