httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X4XoYAfyyA
Texas lawyer Rachel Lindsay, a contestant on ‘The Bachelor,’ will be the first African-American lead on ABC’s ‘The Bachelorette.
After 15 years and plenty of public pressure for greater diversity, ABC has named the first African-American to headline one of its hit dating series.
The 13th season will premiere May 22, ABC announced.
Lindsay, who appeared on Kimmel with Bachelor/Bachelorette host Chris Harrison, will be the the first black lead on either dating show when she takes center stage on Season 13 of The Bachelorette, handing out roses and choosing and dismissing suitors.
ABC executives and producers of the two dating shows have often been asked when the franchise, which has selected a white person as the Bachelor or Bachelorette in previous seasons, would more broadly reflect the diversity of society.
ABC Entertainment chief Channing Dungey, the first African American to head programming at a major broadcast network, expressed her commitment to greater diversity at the Television Critics Association press tour last summer.