“The Bachelor” and its spinoff shows have long been criticized for their lack of diversity in casting and for the way contestants of color are treated on the show. In 40 seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” there’s only been one person of color as the lead: Rachel Lindsay, who first appeared in Nick Viall’s 2017 season of “The Bachelor” and then went on to be “The Bachelorette” in 2018.
Recently, a Change.org petition calling on ABC and Warner Bros., the show’s production company, to cast a person of color in the lead role garnered over 85,000 signatures. “The franchise, and all those who represent it, should reflect and honor the racial diversity of our country — both in front of and behind the camera,” the petition reads, following up with 13 commitments signatories would like to see, including giving equitable screen time to white contestants and contestants of color and fair compensation for the show’s employees of color.
When asked on GMA whether James thought ABC’s decision was “too little, too late,” he responded: “I don’t think it’s ever the wrong time to do the right thing.”…
image….People.Com