Bachelor contestant Mike Johnson, who was briefly rumored to be the next Bachelor, has clapped back at ABC after the reality show picked another white male for the upcoming season.
Both Mike, 31, and Peter Weber, 28, appeared during the most recent season of The Bachelorette to compete for Hannah Brown’s affections. Neither man received the final rose in the end, but they were both up to possibly take the title as the next Bachelor.
Last week it was revealed ABC picked Peter instead of casting its first black leading man by picking Mike, and the man had some choice words for the reality show on its missed opportunity to promote diversity.
Drama: Bachelor contestant Mike Johnson, who was briefly rumored to be the new Bachelor, has clapped back at ABC for picking someone else for the upcoming role
Wrong decision? ABC announced last week that Peter Weber (right) would be the newest Bachelor over Mike (left). This encouraged Mike to speak out against the decision
Run of the mill: In an interview, Mike said he supported Peter in his new journey but thought it was time for a black Bachelor to get cast for the reality show
‘After 24 Bachelors, a black Bachelor should have been cast,’ Mike told Entertainment Tonight after ABC chose another white Bachelor.
He added: ‘But at the same time, ABC has been successful. They know what they’re doing for their audience. They know what they’re looking for. I wasn’t the guy they were looking for at the moment.’
The reality show did not explain to Mike why they picked Peter over him.
But Mike told the publication that he had a hunch as to possibly why the show went in the direction it’s often gone in the past when casting.
‘I do know that Peter and I are two completely different people — both good people, kind-hearted people,’ Mike said.
‘But I do feel that I’m a bit more outspoken than Peter. I’m a bit louder than Peter is. I have tattoos, and the obvious, I’m black, so we are very diverse and different in that regard as well.
‘And we like different women. I want to make sure the focus is centered around love because that’s what this show is about. Peter and I also are attracted to two different types of women.’
These comments about race were not well received by all viewers, with some coming to the defense of Peter online about why he was picked over Mike.
Time for diversity: ‘But I do feel that I’m a bit more outspoken than Peter. I’m a bit louder than Peter is. I have tattoos, and the obvious, I’m black,’ Mike told Entertainment Tonight
Disappointing: Rumors about who would be the next Bachelor had both Mike and Peter at the top of the list. ABC went with Peter as its pick
One person, in particular, recently commented on a picture of Mike with a lengthy comment saying Peter was the clear choice because he was a ‘fan favorite’.
‘Peter was a clear choice here as people are committed to his journey and sincerely rooting for his happiness,’ the commenter wrote. ‘You too were a fan favorite but I feel like we barely got to know you. It has nothing to do with you being louder, having tattoos or being black.’
Mike responded that, although he supported Peter in his upcoming journey, it did not take away from the problem of a hit reality show having yet to include a person of color as a leading man.
He wrote: ‘My white colleagues in this realm arent asked about race, rather in interviews you get to know them when in comparison to me, the first question is about race! I dont want to speak on race! A POC should’ve been the bachelor by now, yes…Its obvious a black bachelor and POC should’ve been chosen by now.’
ABC actually cast Juan Pablo in 2013 as the Bachelor, making him the first Latino man for the leading role. But Mike is correct that the franchise has yet to have a black Bachelor.
This is not the first harsh criticism ABC has faced since announcing its decision for the upcoming season.
Joining in: The Bachelorette alum Rachel Lindsay, 34, also spoke out against the decision saying she was ‘bored’ with ABC. She thought ABC would finally pick a black Bachelor
Necessary: Rachel said she feels obligated to speak publicly on the issue as the first-ever black woman cast as the lead on The Bachelorette’s in its 13th season in 2017
The Bachelorette alum Rachel Lindsay, who was the franchise’s first and only leading black woman, called the reality show ‘boring’ for not casting Mike.
On Tuesday, she told Entertainment Tonight that while Peter might seem ‘lovely’ and ‘a very nice guy’, he was too cookie cutter and someone audience members have seen many times before.
‘This is absolutely nothing against him, but how many Peters have we seen before? What season are we on? 24. So, we’ve seen 24 Peters,’ Rachel said. ‘I’m bored. And it’s nothing personal against him.’
Rachel went on to state she believed Mike ‘checked all the boxes’ for the reality show. Yet he was not picked as the newest Bachelor.
‘We need to change the system,’ she said. ‘Something has to be done. Break the rules, step outside the box, give the people what they want.’
The decision shocked Rachel, so she felt it was her obligation to speak against the decision and make her voice heard.
‘For the first time, I was very confident that we were going to see our first black Bachelor,’ she said. ‘And so if no one else is going to speak on it, then I guess it’s my duty to say it.’
The franchise has not addressed any of the current backlash for choosing to cast Peter over Mike.