The past few years have produced some great content in it The bachelor franchise. From Colton Underwood jumping his gate, to Hannah Brown grabbing Jed Wyatt as the whole nation wrote, “No!” know what he was doing on the side. And the series has also introduced many great personalities into the world. It’s undeniable how successful the franchise is, but it’s hard to look past its very laundered casting.
Before Rachel Lindsay’s season of The Bachelorette in 2017 there had been no person of color as lead on the franchise, let alone a Black Bachelorette. With cast of Matt James this summer, he will be the first Black Bachelor in 24 seasons and 18 years of the series. For Mike Johnson, that’s a moving track record.
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Mike Johnson has been a fan favorite, but has yet to be cast as the Bachelor
Johnson first appeared on the franchise during Hannah Brown’s season of The Bachelorette last summer. He made it pretty far, but she sent him home because she could only see him as a friend.
He then appeared on that season of Bachelor in Paradise, but have not made a lasting romantic relationship there either.
In an interview with Variety on August 10, Johnson said he was interviewed to be the next Bachelor, but was eventually rejected for Weber. He still does not know why, but became more “annoying” that producers did not tell him he did not get it.
The lack of variety in the franchise is ‘atrocious’
Lindsay has been very vocal about the lack of diversity in the Bachelor franchise. In June, she wrote that she did not know if she could still be a part of it all with her lack of drive for diversity. And now Johnson is talking about it too.
“It simply came to our notice then. There were several, beautiful Black and Indigenous people of color who could be cast in the lead roles, and for the franchise to not do that, it’s just awful, “Johnson told Variety. have taken a fright from the fans, which I absolutely admire. ”
Johnson pointed out what it looks like when there is ‘power in numbers’ with the support of fans for more diverse casting. He also hopes ABC listens more.
“I hope it’s not just the leads and the participants, but the people in the lead who should be diverse as well,” Johnson added.
Johnson wants to see ‘The Bachelor’ more than America
In addition to variety in front and behind the camera, Johnson wants to The bachelor to represent the America that exists.
“[The show is] thought to be about love, and love comes in all shapes and colors – not just in white America, ”Johnson said. ‘If the show is going to be absolutely great, I wish it was not just the poster child for the show. The bachelor of Bachelorette who is diverse, but also people from top to bottom, so that the participants feel they can relate to someone on the show. ‘
Johnson pointed out that this means there should be many more people of color cast, and a ton of different sizes as well. He said that when he looks out his window “he has any color, not a big zero.”
“It has to be a melting pot for differences and cultural differences, because it’s not just about color,” Johnson said. “I want the show to represent the whole of America.”
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