Rachel Lindsay is speaking out on Bachelor Nation’s boardroom decisions again, and once again, she is not impressed.
Matt James previewed a painful episode on Monday, writing: "Tonight's convo with my dad was hard to experience, and it's just as hard to watch all this time later, especially knowing the world is watching with me. I just wanted to say that too often, we see dangerous stereotypes and negative depictions of Black fathers in media. And they have consequences when presented without context. All I hope is that people watch that conversation with nuance, care, and also an understanding that there are real systemic issues at play. I’m so proud of myself for being vulnerable, and I’m so proud of my mother. I wouldn’t be who I am without my dad. That’s a fact."
In the episode, Matt talked to his father about his own insecurities around commitment stemming from their relationship; he noted on the show that he was raised by his mother after his parents split. James told his dad: “When I needed you, you weren't there.” His father replied: "It wasn’t a good thing that I was cheating. I’m not proud of it.” Ultimately, his father apologized and the star accepted and forgave.
On Twitter, many were outraged that the scene aired, and Rachel’s concerns echoed theirs. She said that the episode perpetuated stereotypes. “We’re talking about certain stereotypes that have been perpetuated in this society when it comes to Black men and The Bachelor put it front and center in the worst way tonight."
She continued, "This conversation may have been necessary for Matt. But this was a conversation that should have just been for Matt, not for the rest of the world to see. And it shows that you don’t care about your contestants, specifically the ones of color, the fact that you were more so willing to throw him under the bus and exploit him and stereotypes within the Black community for what you would call 'good TV.'"
Rachel also said that the scandal and all of the other incidents this season have made Bachelor Nation even less diverse. “Anybody that’s standing up for change, I don’t understand how you could be a part of this current season.
in this current episode, there is still so much work to be done,” Lindsay, 35, said on the Tuesday, March 9, episode of the “Bachelor Party” podcast, noting that the upcoming season of The Bachelorette has begun production. “I don’t want my name to be affiliated. I have heard that there are several people of color who have removed themselves from the show, that were a part of casting for this current season.”
Host Chris Harrison has also stepped aside over his own errors in judgment, including defending what many said were racist remarks and behavior made by contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, but hopes to return.