The former star of The Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay, has opted to cut ties with The Bachelor franchise. She will do so by finishing out her contractual obligations with the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast and then moving on to other projects outside of The Bachelor umbrella.
“We started talking about how much fun it is and the community we started, and we’re here with the 100th episode, and I’m so proud of it and where it’s come,” she reportedly said during her final appearance on Bachelor Happy Hour.
“Thank you for riding with me for such a long time. Continue to ride with Becca, support her, and uplift her and this podcast as well.”
Lindsay has worked within The Bachelor universe for nearly five years. In 2017, she became the first Black woman to lead The Bachelorette. Since then, she has repeatedly called out the show’s lack of diversity. In its 40 seasons, the show and its spinoff have only cast one Black lead.
“In 40 seasons, [the show has] had one Black lead. We are on 45 presidents. And in 45 presidents there’s been, one Black president. You are almost on par to say you’re more likely to become the President of the United States than you are a Black lead in this franchise. That’s insane. That’s ridiculous,” she told AfterBuzz TV last year.
“It’s been asked of me, will I continue in this franchise if it continues in this way. I can’t. I have to see some type of change. It’s ridiculous. It’s embarrassing. At this point, it’s embarrassing to be affiliated with it.”
Lindsay will continue to work as a correspondent on Extra and co-host Higher Learning with Academy Award winner Van Lathan.
