What’s with the ‘uncomfortably white’ Bachelorette cast?

THE 14 strapping suitors set to appear on The Bachelorette Australia all look pretty darn similar, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by viewers.

The Bachelorette S01E01 QLD Bachelors, Michael, Drew, Shane and Tony

NETWORK Ten unveiled the first image of The Bachelorette Australia’s male suitors on Sunday, but the 14 strapping lads appear to be a carbon copy of one another, all looking like they were plucked straight from a Bonds ad.

Either that, or the local cafes of Bondi.

And it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Even Ten’s own talent took a stab at the predominantly “white” Bachelorette cast, with Have You Been Paying Attention? regular Sam Pang commenting during Monday night’s show: “That’s like an episode of Home and Away, no ethnics.

“That’s a pretty white cast.”

After a nationwide search involving 1000s of men, great to see such diversity @channelten on #BacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/olOGGgSOD9

— Alex Wain (@alexwain) September 8, 2015

@anti_bachelor if the #BacheloretteAU was serious they'd put in a short fat bloke with a sense of humour. And a token ranga

— Michael Evans (@michaelevans11) September 2, 2015

These are the Bachelors in the upcoming season of #BacheloretteAU. This show is already uncomfortably white. https://t.co/Tql85gEnDq

— Luke Hopewell (@lukehopewell) September 6, 2015

@HodanLorenzo: Quite disappointed in the guys that were chosen, where is the cultural diversity gone? Sam deserved better... #BacheloretteAU

— enter text here... (@HodanLorenzo) September 7, 2015

Ten’s press release states: “After a nationwide search involving thousands of men, 14 Bachelors stood out from the crowd thanks to their intelligence, charm, charisma and humour.

“Ranging in age from 25 to 35, the Bachelors come from all walks of life and include a financial consultant, a professional football player, a plumber, a professional abseiler, a carpenter and a marketing manager.” You get the gist.

All said they were thrilled upon discovering inaugural Bachelorette Sam Frost was the woman whose heart they would be competing for, while Frost said she was “blown away” by the 14 blokes.

“The guys are just so genuine, down to earth and warm,” she said. “They’re absolutely brilliant.”

Endemol Shine Australia told news.com.au of the Bachelorette casting process: “We cast each contestant based on their own merits. Race is not a contributing factor to our selection criteria, all eligible bachelors are considered regardless of their background.”

Sam Frost is known to viewers as last season’s jilted Bachelorette.

Last season’s The Bachelor was accused of being “racially insensitive” by viewers after the 24 women vying for Blake Garvey’s heart were revealed to be a gaggle of beautiful blondes, brunettes and bling “lacking diversity”.

The US version of the dating series, now in its 20th season, has been sued for its lack of ethnically-diverse contestants in recent years. In 2012 two African American men filed a lawsuit against the ABC reality show and its spin-off The Bachelorette, claiming the show blocked contestants from minority backgrounds from leading roles.

Nathaniel Claybrooks and Christopher Johnson auditioned to be contestants, but at a casting call, claim they were overlooked in comparison to the white males seeking to be The Bachelor.

“I only wanted a fair shot at the part,” said Claybrooks, the then 39-year-old college graduate and electricity company meter reader.

“Looking back at how I was treated at the casting call, it was clear that that wasn’t possible. I never even had a chance.”

It was the first racial discrimination lawsuit filed against a reality show in the US. “We have had various participants of colour throughout the series’ history, and the producers have been consistently — and publicly — vocal about seeking diverse candidates for both programs. As always, we continue to seek out participants of colour for both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette,” read a response from Warner Horizon Television.

According to the lawsuit, white applicants are predominantly popular because “minorities in lead roles and interracial dating is unappealing to the shows’ audience.”

Sam Frost has her pick of these 19 Bachelor lads.

THE GUYS

Alex, 35, financial consultant, NSW

Dave B, 30, plumber, NSW

Davey, 25, carpenter, NSW

David, 31, international model, VIC

Drew, 31, sleep technician, QLD

Kayne, 25, mining electrician, WA

Kieren, 28, exercise psychologist, VIC

Luke, 28, marketing manager, NSW

Michael, 34, professional football player, QLD

Richie, 30, professional abseiler, WA

Sasha, 30, construction manager, NSW

Shane, 27, charity ambassador, QLD

Tony, 32, airline cabin manager, QLD

Will, 31, musician, WA

Bring on the drama.

Have your say: Has Australia’s first season of The Bachelorette failed to meet the racially diverse expectations we have come to expect?

The Bachelorette Australia premieres on Wednesday, September 23, 7.30pm on Ten.