Angie Kent slams The Bachelor for casting three ‘cis heterosexual men’

Former Bachelorette Angie Kent has criticised The Bachelor for casting three ‘cisgender heterosexual men’ as the stars of its upcoming tenth season. 

The 32-year-old joined a chorus of progressive celebrities slamming Channel 10’s casting decision Monday, after it was confirmed there would be three white Bachelors and no Bachelorette this year.

Angie posted a video on Instagram of herself reacting in disgust to an article that unveiled two of the three male leads, writing in the caption: ‘Two + cis het men instead of one and no female lead… groundbreaking.’

‘Two + cis het men instead of one and no female lead… groundbreaking’: Bachelorette star Angie Kent, 32, (pictured) criticised The Bachelor for casting three ‘cisgender heterosexual men’ as the stars of its upcoming tenth season on Monday 

In the background was an audio clip of Meryl Streep’s iconic line from from The Devil Wears Prada, ‘Florals for spring? Groundbreaking’.

Her post sparked lively debate in the comments section, with some fans questioning why achieving diversity should be prioritised over improving the show’s ratings. 

Outspoken comedian Nikki Osborne weighed in, commenting: ‘[The Bachelor] did try [a diverse cast] last year though and the ratings would suggest Australia wasn’t ready for that.’ 

Unimpressed: The clip showed Angie reacting in disgust to an article that unveiled two of the three male leads, adding the caption: ‘Two + cis het men instead of one and no female lead… groundbreaking’

Debate: Outspoken comedian Nikki Osborne (left) weighed in, commenting: ‘[The Bachelor] did try [a diverse cast] last year though and the ratings would suggest Australia wasn’t ready for that.’ Pictured right is Angie Kent on The Bachelorette

She went on to joke that producers should cast elderly stars this year, as it would be ‘funny’ to see them take ‘pills before bed’ and ‘try to find their glasses.’

Angie replied: ‘That’s what makes it wildly disappointing… that Australia isn’t ready for diversity and change and it’s 2022, but yes!! More of an age range would be excellent too!’ 

Bachelor runner-up Abbie Chatfield also weighed in on the controversy during her radio show this week, telling listeners she hopes one of the Bachelors is bisexual. 

Cast: Drummer Jed McIntosh (centre) will front season 10 of The Bachelor alongside professional basketballer Felix Von Hofe (left) and life coach Thomas Malucelli (right)

‘Why is there not one person of colour?’ she asked her Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield co-host Rohan Edwards.

‘I’m hoping at least one of them is bisexual. I’m just hoping that there’s something going on here. 

‘Why are they all white?’ she continued, before pointing out that suitor Jed McIntosh is only 25-years-old.

‘I’m hoping at least one of them is bisexual’: Abbie Chatfield (pictured) also weighed in on the lack of diversity on the upcoming season of The Bachelor Australia

‘It’s too young! And also, to be the lead of the show where you have to settle down,’ she added.

Drummer Jed McIntosh will front season 10 of The Bachelor alongside professional basketballer Felix Von Hofe and life coach Thomas Malucelli. 

The Bachelor franchise has been slammed for its lack of diversity in the past, despite having the first black Bachelor ever with Blake Garvey back in season two, which aired in 2014.

What diversity? ‘Why are they all white?’ Abbie continued, before pointing out that suitor Jed McIntosh (center) is only 25-years-old and ‘too young’ for the show

It took the original U.S. version of the series until season 25 last year to have a black lead in Matt James.

The Aussie franchise also attempted to fix its diversity problem last year by having Fijian pilot Jimmy Nicholson front season nine, while Indigenous youth worker Brooke Blurton was The Bachelorette a few months later.

Brooke’s season also made history by being the first ‘queer’ instalment in the franchise, with both men and women vying for her love.

Remember me? The Bachelor franchise attempted to fix its diversity issue last year by casting bisexual Indigenous woman Brooke Blurton (pictured) as The Bachelorette  

Fans online reacted strongly to the announcement of this year’s Bachelor trio, with many slamming the show for a ‘lack of diversity’.

‘Wow three different hair colours! Progress!’ wrote one person on Instagram, while another added: ‘Three Bachelors yet no diversity’.

Punkee journalist Tahlia Pritchard said she didn’t think ‘three white men’ could ‘save the series’, while Buzzfeed’s Isha Bassi tweeted: ‘What does the #TheBachelorsAU franchise have against putting POCs as leads?’

Not happy: Fans online reacted strongly to the announcement of this year’s Bachelor trio, with many slamming the show for a ‘lack of diversity’. Pictured: The Bachelor host Osher Günsberg