Bachelor Matty J says Channel 10 are to blame for lack of ‘diversity’

THE countdown is almost over. But before the Bachelor has even hit our screens, the show has come under fire and its star says it’s Ten’s fault.

THE countdown is almost over.

In just a few hours time, fans of The Bachelor will finally get to watch Matty Johnson embark on his quest to find true love.

But before the reality show has even hit our screens, Channel 10 has come under fire for lacking diversity when casting female contestants.

When the publicity shot of the 22 women vying for Mr Johnson’s eye dropped on Twitter earlier this week, social media went in to a meltdown because they were all white — and didn’t reflect Australia’s multicultural society.

“How will he choose from such a diverse bunch,” one person joked.

“The Bachelor Australia: Attack of the Clones,” another added.

in the words of @chrissyteigen how will he choose from such a diverse bunch!

— Ally Spirelli (@ally_spirelli) July 23, 2017

Should the bachelor romance politically correct now? If it ain't his cup of tea.. then it's his choice

— RichieOZ (@ozasia) July 23, 2017

Such diversity. There are blondes, brunettes...errr and different dress colours too.

I hope the #Bachelor is a short Asian guy https://t.co/ucT7bcb6oP

— Stewart Marshall (@Properliberal) July 23, 2017

But the Bachelor himself has hit back at critics, telling news.com.au that he’s not responsible for the lack diversity on the show.

“I don’t have any preference when it comes to race or colour,” Mr Johnson said.

“For me, it was more about the personality and the character I was looking for.

“Does it need to be more diverse? I think that’s a question for Channel 10 more so than myself.”

‘I don’t have any preference when it comes to race or colour’.

A spokesman for Network 10 said race plays no factor in casting for the reality series.

“The Bachelor Australia is cast on the applicants’ merits and race is not a factor influencing the selection criteria,” a statement to news.com.au read.

“Eligible contestants on all Network Ten shows are considered regardless of race or background.”

Some of the contestants taking part in the 2017 series of The Bachelor.

SBS VICELAND host Marc Fennell called on advertisers to boycott the show in response to the lack of colour, suggesting it was “very, very backwards” not to represent the changing face of Australia on television in 2017.

“If you have a show that makes you feel like you don’t fall under a category of beauty, why would you be interested in the products that advertise around them?’ Fennell said during an interview with AdNews.

“It’s like the media industry is saying this is the image of beauty in Australia and it has a very specific shade.”

SBS The Feed host Marc Fennell has hit out at the lack of diversity of contestants on The Bachelor.

Mr Johnson appeared on the 2016 series of The Bachelorette — where he was left broken hearted during the show’s finale when Georgia Love chose Lee Elliott instead of him.

The now 30-year-old, who said he’s “found love” from this series, said he had no “involvement in picking the girls”.

“All I did was put together a checklist of someone who is funny, confident, smart and kind,” he said.

“And I can say that I have met that and she’s great.”

The Bachelor Matty Johnson isays he’s found love. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Network 10 received similar criticism in 2015 with their ‘uncomfortably white’ Bachelorette cast, who appeared to be a carbon copy of one another.

At the time, Ten said the 14 suitors came from “all walks of life”.

“After a nationwide search involving thousands of men, 14 Bachelors stood out from the crowd thanks to their intelligence, charm, charisma and humour,” the statement read.

“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.”

Which one of our Bachelors will steal @Sam_Frost heart?@BacheloretteAU -starts 7.30 Wednesday, September 23rd on TEN pic.twitter.com/bjJ7GhFttf

— Channel Ten (@channelten) September 6, 2015

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.”

The US version of the dating series, 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.

Tara is a contestant on season five of The Bachelor Australia. Picture: Ten

Alix hopes to catch Matty J’s attention. Picture: Tim Hunter.

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.

If you want to enter your own Bachelor Office Sweep, here’s how.

The Bachelor Australia premieres Wednesday July 26 at 7.30pm on Network Ten.