*Rachel Lindsay has reportedly been cast as the next “Bachelorette,” marking the first time an African-American will star in the leading role in the popular franchise.
Creator Mike Fleiss tweeted that a “historic” announcement will be made about the reality series on Jimmy Kimmel, where it was revealed that Lindsay will be named the next “Bachelorette.”
Prior to the announcement, Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman took to Twitter, stating that she “found out a piece of information that makes me 100 % certain that @TheRachLindsay is the next ‘Bachelorette.’”
On Sunday, she added, “And Rachel is on tomorrow night,” meaning Kimmel’s show.
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Lindsay is a contestant on Nick Viall’s current season of “The Bachelor,” and she was a clear frontrunner after scoring the First Impression Rose during the show’s premiere. Viall also broke several rules when he told her how he felt about her.
However, as TheWrap.com reports, with Lindsay’s casting as the next “Bachelorette,” it’s safe to say she doesn’t win Viall’s final rose, although she is still currently on the show.
“This is a bit of a spoiler,” Kimmel remarked to Lindsay. “You’re still on the show.”
“Yes, it is, but you know we’re a couple weeks out from filming and I’m ready to get this thing started,” Lindsay explained. “I’m ready to find love — my husband!”
Non-White contestants seldom go far on the series. In fact, no black contestant has ever made it past Week 5 in the first 20 seasons. Viall’s season is actually one of the most diverse yet, starting with 10 non-white contestants at the beginning of the show.
You may recall back in 2012 a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Christopher Johnson and Nathaniel Claybrooks, two black male who had auditioned for “The Bachelor,” — were rejected and then accused the show/producers of racism and discrimination against people of color both in choosing the bachelor/ette and in choosing the people he or she will have to choose from, per NPR.com.
How is White Twitter responding to this news? Expect an onslaught of racist comments in 3, 2, 1….
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