Abbie Chatfield slams lack of diversity on The Bachelor and hopes for a bisexual lead after the show received backlash for casting THREE white men
Abbie Chatfield has weighed in on the lack of diversity in the upcoming season of The Bachelor Australia.
The Channel 10 show received backlash from celebrities and progressive media personalities this week for casting “three straight white men” as its protagonists.
Addressing the controversy over her radio show Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield, the 26-year-old said she hopes one of the three is bisexual.
‘I hope at least one of them is bisexual’: Abbie Chatfield (pictured) weighed in on the lack of diversity on the upcoming season of The Bachelor Australia
“Why isn’t there just one person of color? she asked co-host Rohan Edwards.
“I hope at least one of them is bisexual. I just hope something happens here.
“Why are they all white? she continued, before pointing out that suitor Jed McIntosh is only 25 years old.
“It’s too young to be the lead on the show where you have to settle down,” she said.
What diversity? “Why are they all white? Abbie asked, before pointing out that suitor Jed McIntosh (centre) is just 25 and ‘too young’ for the show
The Bachelor Australia has been criticized for its lack of diversity in the past, despite featuring the first black Bachelor ever with Blake Garvey in the second season in 2014.
It took the original American version of The Bachelor until season 25 of last year to get a black lead on Matt James.
The Australian franchise also tried to solve its diversity problem last year by having Fijian pilot Jimmy Nicholson before season nine, while young Indigenous worker Brooke Blurton was The Bachelorette a few months later.
Brooke’s season also made history as the franchise’s first “queer” episode, with men and women vying for her heart.
Remember me? The Bachelor franchise tried to solve its diversity problem last year by casting bisexual Indigenous woman Brooke Blurton (pictured) as The Bachelorette
Drummer Jed McIntosh will lead Season 10 of The Bachelor alongside professional basketball player Felix Von Hofe and life coach Thomas Malucelli.
Fans online reacted strongly to the announcement, with many criticizing the series for its “lack of diversity”.
‘Wow three different hair colors! Progress!’ one person wrote on Instagram, while another added, “Three singles but no diversity.”
Former Bachelorette Angie Kent mocked the show for casting ‘cis het’ [cisgender heterosexual] men,” adding: “Australia is not ready for diversity and change.
Punkee reporter Tahlia Pritchard said she didn’t think “three white men” could “save the show,” while Buzzfeed’s Isha Bassi tweeted, “What is The Bachelor franchise? against putting POCs in the lead?
Cast: Drummer Jed McIntosh (center) will host Season 10 of The Bachelor alongside professional basketball player Felix Von Hofe (left) and life coach Thomas Malucelli (right)
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