Critics slam 'The Bachelorette Australia' for homogenous, all-white male lineup
The 14 bachelors for the premiere season of “The Bachelorette Australia” have been selected after a nationwide search involving thousands of men. However, critics bashed the people behind the casting process for getting a homogenous all-white male lineup.
Channel Ten announced that the finalists were selected because of their charm, intelligence, charisma and humour. The men were 25 to 37 years old and reportedly came from “all walks of life.” The exclusive list includes a carpenter, professional football player, plumber, marketing manager, financial consultant and professional abseiler, among others.
“We don’t really look for a type. Once we have the bachelor, we then go on to cast partners that genuinely have a chance. Essentially, he holds up the types of people that he is really attracted to, the types of people that he’s had relationships with in the past that have and haven’t worked, and we try to make sure that we have as many viable contestants as possible,” Stephen Tate, head of entertainment and factual of Channel Ten, told Media Week.
However, fans could not help but notice how all the men in the group looked very much alike. Social media users commented on how production might have specifically opted for an all-white male lineup, which could indicate what would make a viable match for a single white woman in Australia.
@Tahls @BuzzFeedOz May as well be White Male numbers 1-14.
— Ronni (@ronsbons) September 7, 2015These are the Bachelors in the upcoming season of #BacheloretteAU. This show is already uncomfortably white. https://t.co/Tql85gEnDq
— Luke Hopewell (@lukehopewell) September 6, 2015@HodanLorenzo: Quite disappointed in the guys that were chosen, where is the cultural diversity gone? Sam deserved better... #BacheloretteAU
— enter text here... (@HodanLorenzo) September 7, 2015Even the American version of the reality TV show has been accused of racism in the past. There was a class action racial discrimination suit filed against “The Bachelor” in 2012 for allegedly underrepresenting minorities. Since the show started 13 years ago, only one non-white bachelor stood out – Venezuelan Juan Pablo Galavis. Contestants of colour were also noticeably eliminated early.
Compared with its American counterpart, “The Bachelor Australia” has been better in showing diversity in casting, The Guardian writes. However, the recent unveiling has been disappointing for viewers.
The 14 homogenous men will be vying to be ultimately chosen by the new bachelorette, Sam Frost. More news and details on the show and cast are expected in the following weeks.
“The Bachelorette Australia” will premiere on Sept. 23, 2015 on Ten Channel.
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