Rachel Lindsay Isn't Backing Down On Bachelor Diversity Issues, Challenges The Show To Hire More POC Producers!

Fans of The Bachelor want less talk and more action!

Rachel Lindsay reiterated this point perfectly in a recent conversation she had with the show’s production team, just days before revealing she’d leave the “white-washed” ABC franchise for good if real strides towards diversity weren’t made. As a reminder, the Dallas native is the first and only Black lead in the reality TV show’s 18-year history.

In an interview with ET‘s Lauren Zima on Tuesday, the former Bachelorette opened up about her powerful stance and explained producers have not been in contact since she put them on blast last week. However, in the past, she’s “heard from an executive producer just saying that they hear me and they want to make changes.” While that sounds nice, it simply isn’t enough:

“It does [feel good], but this isn’t my first rodeo with hearing an executive producer say, ‘We want to make some changes.’ I believe you want to, or I used to believe you want to. But I’m not seeing anything. I’ve been affiliated with this franchise for almost four years and I hear you. But I’m not seeing any action behind those words.”

Addressing the feeble attempts to add some color to the cast, she continued:

“I have heard them say, ‘You’ve seen it more diverse,’ and it’s great for that first picture, that first night when everyone’s standing in the mansion and you can see all the different races and ethnicities represented in that one picture. But if you don’t cast a lead who is genuinely into dating outside of their race and open to a new experience and has done it before then, by the time you get to the second half of the season, it looks nothing like that picture.”

Lindsay begged for authenticity within the casting process and more respect for devoted, diverse viewers going forward:

“It’s very evident that they’re more there to fill a spot than they are to pursue a relationship. And the audience calls it out every single time.”

A very good example of this was seen with Peter Weber‘s season, where he appeared to keep lone Black contestant Natasha Parker (who finished in 6th place) around long enough just for the optics. She did not receive any substantial air time and was sent home on her first one-on-one date right before hometowns. The final four women were all white. Rachel said picking leads who actually want to date outside of their race is only the first step…

Another Bone To Pick!

She also pointed out some diversity changes that need to happen off-screen. Based on conversations with other franchise alum, she claimed many of them would feel more comfortable with diverse production staff. She said the show did make an effort to hire more producers of color for her season, but “after I was the lead, those changes went away,” noting there is only one Black producer in the house with contestants:

“I’ve heard people of color say maybe they didn’t feel comfortable opening up. It’s all about who you can relate to. If you want to see [people of color] go far and not tap out or just break down with the stress of the whole experience, then you need to have people that can talk to them.”

This show thrives on baring your soul to someone on camera, so this is a fair point! The starlet also said she’s disappointed the show hasn’t taken a public stance on diversity in a time when so many other companies are speaking on it. She expects a statement or some step to be taken in the next week, “but it will be at least a couple months before we hear anything about a lead of color being announced.”

Ugh. We’re all crossing our fingers over here!! This is LONG overdue.

Lindsay told ET she’s tired of the excuse that “it’s just about having the right person,” and explained the missed opportunity in not casting former contestant Mike Johnson as the first Black male lead. Producers said there was a reason, but reportedly declined to give her a specific answer when she inquired about it:

“Maybe they can’t specifically tell me why they didn’t choose him. And I think if they could tell us, they would, because it just looks so bad that they didn’t pick him. I mean, Michael Johnson was a gift. To me, it was an easy decision, but I’m not in the decision room.”

Regardless, she thinks the show needs to stop giving people what they’re “comfortable” with and shake things up:

“The show can make you fall in love with anyone. People weren’t receptive to Hannah Brown, then they loved her. She’s the most popular by social media standards in regards to the Bachelorette. Peter, same thing — they didn’t love him, then they grew to love him as he was molding into the Bachelor and throughout his season… at least at the beginning part.”

And now, the timer starts! Your move, ABC…