The next season of ABC’s The Bachelor will feature the franchise’s first Black Star in 25 seasons with lead man Matt James. A few seasons before James was selected, however, the network had seen the fan-favorite contestant, Mike Johnson, appear on season 15 of “The Bachelorette” and then on “Bachelor In Paradise.”
Johnson was ultimately not selected to be ‘The Bachelor’ for the season that eventually starred Peter Weber, even though fans had launched an online campaign for Johnson to become the first Black Bachelor.
Although Johnson does not rule out becoming “The Bachelor” in the future, he is now turning his attention to writing, as the first author of “Making the Love You Want” (released on October 2. From The Self Publishing Agency Inc.). The book is not a memoir, but goes into great detail about Johnson’s life experiences, as an inspiring self-help book for readers.
“‘The Bachelor’ was a part of my life, but it’s not my whole life,” Johnson says. ‘I am not a reality TV personality who decided to write about my time on TV; I am a person who was on TV who really listened and cared for the fans, and through all the DMs and messages I received, I learned so much. This is a book to inspire and is a toolbox. ”
Johnson’s first draft was completed in March, but with the Black Lives Matters movement and the coronavirus pandemic in the news, he has since been added to the book. “I’m definitely talking about the current events, because a part of yourself is loving to stand up for what is right and to stand up for equality,” he says.
Earlier this summer, ABC announced James as the newest star of ‘The Bachelor’, shortly after the death of George Floyd. That, combined with former ‘Bachelorette’ Hannah Brown’s use of the N-word during a live video on Instagram, resulted in questions (again) about the lack of diversity in the juggernaut ABC franchise. Rachel Lindsay, the only Black “Bachelorette” star to date, questioned the timing of the new “Bachelor” announcement.
The reality TV hit has made other recent headlines around drama about the current season of “The Bachelorette,” where producers are expected to swap female lead Clare Crawley with former contestant Tayshia Adams halfway through the production. Adams, who is black, is believed to be filming the rest of the season at the moment, following Crawley’s departure.
Here, Johnson weaves it all in. (ABC declined to comment on Johnson’s views on the franchise’s lack of diversity.)
I know all “Bachelor” albums are friends. What do you know about what’s going on at La Quinta with Clare and Tayshia’s season?
I’m just confused, like everyone else is. I’m friends with some of them, but I have not reached out to them. I just watch and read the news, like everyone else.
There are always rumors of producers making drama. As someone who has been on “The Bachelor” franchise and knows the ins and outs of production, are you surprised by the turn of events with Clare’s season?
I’m really surprised. This is a bit much. The point is for the lead to find love and then the second point is to make a bit of drama because the fans all love the drama. But from what I hear, they go over the top, like too far. But we’ll see. They always do a great job and they are almost 20 years old, so they do something good.
What do you think of Tayshia as “The Bachelorette?”
Tayshia is amazing. She is a wonderful person. I have spoken to her many times on TV and off TV. I’m obviously a proponent of representation – if she’s the new Bachelorette, which it almost certainly looks like she’s Bachelorette – this is wonderful. And I know she wants love, I know she’s extremely imaginative in her process of thinking things through and she loves to have fun. She’s a beautiful catch. Those suitors will have a great time with Tayshia.
“The Bachelor” has received years of criticism for its lack of diversity. The first Black Bachelor was recently introduced with Matt James, but many say it’s too late. What do you think?
It’s horrible. There have been several, gorgeous Black and Indigenous people of color who can be cast in the lead roles, and for the franchise not to do so, it’s just awful. It should not have taken a fright from the fans, which I absolutely admire – that was a clear sign that there is power in numbers, so I love the fans who sign petitions and such things, but it should not have taken that. I hope they listen. And I hope it’s not just the leads and competitors, but people in the lead should be diverse as well.
Why do you think Tayshia was chosen to replace Clare?
I do not think they were, “We need a black lead, so we choose Tayshia.” I think what the hell happened, they needed a new Bachelorette, and it had nothing to do with diversity. I do not feel that Tayshia was chosen because she is a Black woman.
Have you ever been told why you were not selected as “The Bachelor?”
I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I really do. I was never given a reason, ever. I do not know. I just know they chose who they chose. I really wish I knew more.
How did you feel at the time that Peter was chosen and that you were not?
I felt that Peter would be ‘The Bachelor’. I really did. I just felt that from what I’ve seen from the past, that’s how the show goes. Peter was the perfect fit for what they liked. I said he was going to finish the Bachelor, and he was the Bachelor. I was just annoyed because I wish I was told in advance. That would have been nice. It’s like when you go to a job interview and you never hear back, but then you just don’t get the job. We talked, but then she just chose the person she chose.
Before Matt James was announced, fans had started campaigning online for the words “The Bachelor.” They even made fan-art with you on a poster like “The Bachelor.” Have you ever received a call from ABC about casting for the upcoming season?
No.
Even though you did not get a call from the network, with all the momentum online, did you think you had a chance?
I have to be honest – I knew I was a popular choice for two years in a row. That’s not a count for anyone else, that’s just the truth. I was super appreciative of even just being eligible. My whole goal was to find love. When I did not find love on “Bachelorette” or “Bachelor In Paradise,” the fans slapped me in the face and said, “You should be the lead!” I was really appreciative. When it did not happen both times, it was as if you could win the popular vote but lose the college vote for elections. The people in charge did not want me for any reason, but I know they think I’m great, and I think they’re great. She just chose who she chose.
What do you think of Matt James as lead?
I’m glad it’s Matt. I’m not sure how Matt went from being a participant to being a lead, but I thought this was pretty dope, and I texted Matt to congratulate him and shouted at him.
Rachel Lindsay said she thought the timing of Matt’s announcement was strange. The announcement came after she said she would cut ties with the franchise if they did not resolve their diversity issues. Did you think the announcement was treated badly?
Oh, 100% – I think everyone thinks so, right? We’re all talking about Clare being “The Bachelorette,” and before her season even expires, shall we bring up another Bachelor? That the timing was really off. I think everyone can agree with that.
The moment they said it, it was weird. It was not natural. It was forced. That was how it felt to me. Even if I was chosen to be “The Bachelor”, my homeboys would say to me, “Why did they announce you right now?” It’s not about the person in the role, but it’s about the timing of the role being announced. It just felt very forced on me.
How did your casting interviews go when you were considered “The Bachelor”?
I did not get the feeling that they were interviewing me because I was black. I can honestly say, without a doubt, that she interviewed me because she thought I was a great candidate, just like the rest of the guys.
Have you had any conversations about becoming the first Black Bachelor?
For sure. And I told her I would absolutely love it. I would not be ashamed of it and I would go ahead with it. I raised Tiger Woods, Eminem and Serena Williams because the three of those people are in areas that are not overwhelmed with people in their race, but they have crushed it all, so I told the people who interviewed that I would do the same. I’m in the past like no other Bachelor – I’m not white, I have tattoos, I’m an Air Force veteran and I speak my mind.
When I look right outside my apartment balcony, I see America – white, black, Indian, Chinese, any color, not a big zero. I see people Black men who have locks in their hair. I want “The Bachelor” to be a representation of America. It has to show about love, and love comes in all shapes and colors – not just white America. If the show is going to be absolutely amazing, then I want it to be not only the poster child for the show with “The Bachelor” or “Bachelorette” who is diverse, but also people from above and below, so that the participants feel like they can relate to someone on the show. It has to be a melting pot of differences and cultural differences, because it’s not just about color. I would like the show to represent the whole of America.
