March 31st 2023.
Racism has been a major issue for years, but it seems like The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss is finally facing the consequences of his discriminatory practices. After an investigation conducted by Warner Bros. TV, who produces the show alongside ABC, it was announced that Fleiss would be stepping away. He said, “First and foremost, congratulations are in order for Zach and Kaity. I wish them a long and happy life together. I want to thank WBTV and ABC for 21 extraordinary years. They’ve found the perfect creative team for me to entrust The Bachelor franchise and keep this lightning in a bottle bold and moving forward. Let the journey continue.”
Unfortunately, it appears that Fleiss' actions have extended beyond his words. Current and former production staff have spoken out about his “bullying” practices as well as his apprehension to improving the show’s diversity throughout the past two decades. He has accepted responsibility, saying “I am proud of the work we’ve done over the past five years to make the show substantially more diverse, but I do believe I could have done more. Hopefully, the franchise will continue to move in the right direction.”
Though Fleiss has stepped away from The Bachelor, the show has finally made a major step in the right direction by introducing its first Black lead, Matt James, in 2021. Additionally, The Bachelorette has had four Black leads since its first season aired two decades ago. It's a positive change that Mike Fleiss likely would have never made on his own, and it's a great sign for the future of the show.
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