Rachel Lindsay came on Women Tell All episode of The Bachelor to read hateful messages from online trolls and talk about the racism many of the contestants of color face from those who watch the show. Rachel, the only black lead in franchise history, was a strong voice on these issues during her season and continues to be today.
The Women Tell All contained its regular fare of women arguing with one another and The Bachelor addressing the women by saying that he was just following his heart. The episode also featured footage from Australia, in which Peter sent Victoria Fuller home and gave a rose to a reluctant Madison Prewett, along with Hannah Ann Sluss. On Women Tell All, Victoria addressed some of the concerns fans had about her, and Kelsey Weier talked about Champagnegate and getting over heartbreak. The segment where Rachel came onto the set to discuss racism and online harassment, though, was by far the most powerful part of the episode.
Chris Harrison handed the floor to Rachel, who started, “People have become so comfortable being mean.” She said that in being The Bachelorette, she "wanted to pave a way for women who look like me.” Then, she read a few racist and malevolent comments about the women who were on the current season, specifically women of color. One comment read, “You stupid punk ass b*tch," while another attacked a woman for being bi-racial.
Many of the women were emotional hearing these comments and listening to Rachel address these issues. Tammy Ly said she has received death threats. Alexa Caves talked about being bullied online for her hair. Sydney Hightower said through her tears, “None of us are perfect, but none of us deserve this.”
It was important for The Bachelor to address this, but if anything, it underscores the importance of continuing to push diversity on this show. The final four this season consisted of four white women, as almost is always the case. (Rachel was one of the rare exceptions on Nick Viall's season.) The more that white heterosexual relationships are highlighted, an opportunity is missed to showcase the issues that people of color and those who identify as LGBTQ+ face in everyday life. There was some of that on this season. But there is vast room for improvement.
Rachel said she was proud to be given an opportunity to be The Bachelorette, to have a platform on a show that hasn't consistently shown people who look like her. Online harassers should listen to what was said during that segment on Women Tell All and think about how they can be better and do better. The Bachelor franchise should think about this as well.
The Bachelor two-part finale airs Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10 at 8pm EST on ABC.