ABC announced on June 12th that for the first time the popular reality series, "The Bachelor," has cast the show’s first Black lead.
Rachel Lindsay, cast as The Bachelorette's first black female lead back in 2017, has criticized the show for its lack of diversity.
Jazzy Collins a Black woman who was a Casting Producer on the two shows, starting with The Bachelorette season starring Lindsay, says that she is happy about James’ appointment but is also critical of the franchise’s diversity track record.
“Your show has white-washed for decades, inside and out,” Collins writes in an open letter to ABC and The Bachelor/The Bachelorette producing teams, according to Deadline.
Following the announcement surrounding Matt’s new role, ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke and The Bachelor producers released a statement.