‘The Bachelor’ Host Doubts There Will Ever Be a Queer Lead

Or an old one.

The Bachelorfranchise may have introduced their first ever queer contestant earlier this year, but host Chris Harrison isn’t optimistic that there will ever be a queer Bachelor/ette. Further proof that we need a Finding Prince Charming reboot ASAP.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Harrison spoke about the “modern, evolved version of the show,” saying he wasn’t sure Bachelor in Paradise contestant Demi Burnett’s sexuality would have been well-represented on the show in the past but that in the crazy post-woke world of 2019, they decided to “lean into it.” He also added that the show was better able to tell Burnett’s story with the help of queer producers, saying he felt that he “owed it to them and to everybody else in that community to do this right and to make it respectable. To tell this story properly in their honor. I leaned on them and we all leaned on them to make sure they felt like this was being fairly and respectfully portrayed.”

But when asked if this meant the show could eventually feature a queer lead — or an older one, becuase being queer is as socially unacceptable in the world ofThe Bachelor as being over 40 — Harrison was skeptical. 

“The point of all social issues and raising the level of debate in our country is that you will see more and more of that — whatever your cause is, you’ll see it represented in the workplace, on television, in politics,” Harrison explained. “I always say The Bachelor doesn’t create and drive social issues. We’re a microcosm of what’s happening in the world. We’re all evolving and getting more intelligent, and our eyes are opening in a lot of ways. I’m not going to say we’re changing the world — it’s an entertainment show, so let’s stay in our lane a little bit. But I am proud of the fact that we aren’t afraid of these social issues and are pushing these issues a little bit, and hopefully we do our part in raising the level of debate. And like society, our show will continue to evolve as well.”

So queer people are a “social isssue” and don’t deserve to get drunk and hook up on TV. Has Chris Harrison even watched Are You the One?

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The Bachelor Host Doubts There Will Ever Be a Queer Lead

The Bachelor Host Doubts There Will Ever Be a Queer Lead