2 days Ago By TV Insider
The Bachelor ’s executive producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner have acknowledged the long-running reality show’s “inexcusable” lack of racial diversity, admitting they “have to do better.” In an interview with the Los Angeles Times , published on Wednesday, June 26, Freeland and Graebner addressed the accusations of racism the Bachelor franchise has faced over the years. “It’s hard to say out loud, that people of color didn’t see themselves represented, that they did not see The Bachelor franchise as a safe place,” Graebner told the outlet.
“We didn’t have a Black lead in this franchise for 15 years, and that’s inexcusable. It created a vicious cycle, and it’s taken a lot of work to get back to a place where we feel at least we’re working for the positive.” Matt James became The Bachelor ‘s first Black lead in 2021; however, his season was overshadowed by controversy after photos leaked of contestant (and eventual winner) Rachael Kirkconnell attending an Antebellum South plantation-themed party in 2018.
The situation only worsened after The Bachelor ‘s then-host Chris Harrison tried to defend Kirkconnell in an interview with former Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay (the first Black woman to lead the spinoff) on Extra , ultimately leading to Harrison stepping away from the show. “I’m going to be really frank — we let Matt down,” Graebner admitted. “That season went wrong on so many levels.
We did not protect him as we shou.
