‘The Bachelor’: Fans Hope the Black Lives Matter Movement Will Bring the First Black Lead
The ABC Reality TV series, The Bachelor, is going into its 25th season; however, the leading eligible bachelor has never been black. Fans are wondering if the death of George Floyd and the current Black Lives Matter Movement will push the franchise to choose a person of color as The Bachelor, finally.
‘The Bachelor’ producers chose Peter Weber over Mike Johnson for season 24
After Weber was chosen over Johnson, the 31-year-old black Air Force veteran spoke out, asking for more diversity within the franchise.
“I think of diversity more than just black and white,” Johnson told Entertainment Tonight. “And yes, Peter has a Cuban mom, but let’s just be honest — he’s white, right? And that’s just being completely transparent. I think that there should be an Asian lead, an Indian lead. Diversity is not just black and white. It’s not just salt and pepper.”
Johnson wasn’t the only member of Bachelor Nation to speak up when Weber was picked. Rachel Lindsay, the first black Bachelorette on the show, in 2017, was not happy with the franchise.
“The system isn’t working in giving us a Bachelor who is a person of color, Lindsey told the outlet. “So we need to change the system. Something has to be done. Break the rules, step outside the box, give the people what they want!”
‘The Bachelor’ Season 25 is next — will there be a black bachelor?
“I’m wondering if The Bachelor would decide (hopefully) to be more diverse in their next lead due to the current state of our country,” one Reddit user wrote. “I feel like this would be the time to do it! Thoughts?”
Other fans added that they hope the show will choose to go in the direction of diversity. Having one person of color cast as the lead over 40 seasons is not enough.
“I really think the time is ripe,” another fan added. “They must see what is going on right now. I don’t think they will do it for altruistic reasons, but for awareness. I don’t care how it happens because this barrier needs to be broken down.”
Season 16 of The Bachelorette will feature Clare Crawley, a 39-year-old white woman who was the runner-up of The Bachelor Season 18. The show typically casts the leading star from previous seasons.
“I feel like it’s a turning point in the franchise,” another Redditor wrote. “It will be telling if they don’t choose a person of color as the Bachelor lead. They can’t come up with excuses anymore.”
‘The Bachelor’ Season 25: Who do fans want to see as the lead?
Fans still would love to see Johnson as The Bachelor. He’s a fan-favorite from Hannah Brown’s Season 15 of The Bachelorette. Johnson’s followers continue to ask him when he will return to the show as the lead.
However, fans suggest several other men they would like to see, including Eric Bigger from Rachel Lindsay’s season 13.
“I believe it will be Eric Bigger (who, in my opinion, should have been the lead after Rachel’s season) before Mike.”
Bigger made it to the top three but went home during week nine. Fans also mention Matt James, who has not been on a season of the show yet. James is a friend of Tyler Cameron — the runner-up on Brown’s season. Bachelor Nation loves watching James, Cameron, and Brown interact on social media.
Whether it’s someone mentioned here or not, fans hope the next season of The Bachelor features a person of color as the lead.
