Two young men from Nashville have filed a lawsuit against ABC, accusing the television network of racial discrimination. Both plaintiffs were turned down to be “The Bachelor.”
Chris Johnson (far left) and Nathaniel Claybrooks appear with their attorneys Wednesday afternoon.
The creator of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” has said he would like the shows to be more diverse. “They just don’t come forward,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
But the lawsuit filed by former TSU and MTSU football players – now a teacher and a barbershop owner, respectively – says otherwise. The plaintiffs allege it’s “a matter of corporate policy” and fear of lower ratings that in 23 seasons over 10 years ABC has not cast a minority in the lead role for either show. Attorney Byron Perkins represents the two rejected bachelors, who are black.
“The question that really should be asked is how does ABC and ‘The Bachelor’ explain zero?”
While a common occurrence in the entertainment business, the plaintiffs complain of brief auditions and no reason given for being turned down.
They’ve filed suit in federal court, seeking class action status for all people of color who’ve unsuccessfully tried out for the show.
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