Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay explains how a person of color is almost more likely to become president than a lead on The Bachelor

Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo in 2018.

(Image credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for AHA)

Rachel Lindsay, the only black lead in The Bachelor franchise's 18-year history, addressed the show's lack of diversity in a searing interview with Page Six on Friday. "When I look at what's happening in our country, and then I look at the franchise, I can't continue to be affiliated — it's embarrassing honestly at this point — to be affiliated with a franchise who is not on the right side of this," Lindsay explained.

As she went on to illustrate, the franchise has had 40 seasons, and there have been 45 U.S. presidents; both have only been led by one person of color to date. "We are literally on par to saying that you are more likely to become the president of the United States than you are to be the lead of this franchise," Lindsay said. "That is insane."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.