The Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd has sparked changes beyond the field of policing and seeped into the film and entertainment industry. In a move to address longstanding criticisms about its lack of diversity, popular reality dating show The Bachelor is now introducing its first Black star.
The BBC reports that the production team behind The Bachelor has cast 28-year-old real estate broker Matt James to be the eponymous bachelor in the show’s latest season. The casting comes amid growing criticism from the show’s viewers regarding the lack of diversity reflected during its almost 20-year run.
The Bachelor franchise has only had one Black star in its history, and that was Rachel Lindsay who was the star of the 2017 season of The Bachelorette. Lindsay had said that she thought she would be a “trailblazer” but the franchise has not cast another Black lead three years after she made history.
People notes that the franchise has taken into account the criticisms regarding diversity that have been lobbed towards it over the years, coming out with a statement after Matt James’s casting that pledged to institute change in the franchise moving forward.
The statement also acknowledged the lack of diversity and representation in the franchise and promised “positive steps” with regards to encouraging diversity not just in their cast but also in their staff and the people behind the scenes.
The production team called Matt James’s casting as the first Black Bachelor a “privilege” and “only the beginning” in their efforts to become more diverse.
Fans of The Bachelor are not the only ones calling for change in the entertainment industry. Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan also slammed Hollywood for its lack of inclusion, noting that studios and agencies have not included an inclusion rider in their contracts that would ensure diversity in the workplace. Jordan also called for more Black executives, Black consultants, and more Black creatives making content.
Beyoncé also called for change in the music industry during her speech for YouTube’s Dear Class of 2020, recalling the cases of racism and sexism that she encountered during the course of her career.
Spike Lee, the director of several iconic films, has also commended the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests for their diversity, comparing the protestors to the ones he saw during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Celebrities have also made their presence felt in the protests that have sprung up since George Floyd’s killing. These celebrities include Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly, Timothee Chalamet, Paris Jackson, Ariana Grande, Miguel, Tinashe, Kehlani, Cole Sprouse, Emily Ratajkowski, and Tessa Thompson.