Bachelor in Paradise’s Renee Barrett opens up about facing racism as an Indigenous woman

Bachelor in Paradise star Renne Barrett has opened up about her indigenous heritage.

However, the 26-year-old reality star has revealed that she has often faced racism and felt ‘segregated’ because of her background.  

She explained that growing up in Darwin she was often bullied at school because of her looks. 

‘In school I was always known as the ‘black girl’ and for me, being so young, I didn’t understand why I was being segregated,’ she told the HuffPost. 

As she grew up she credits her family for helping her learn more about her heritage as a Larrakia woman.  

The Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the Darwin region and Renee feels ‘blessed’ to live in the city stating: ‘This is my home and this is where I feel like I belong.’ 

However, she admits that she still faces racism on a regular basis.  

Last year indigenous Bachelor star Brooke Blurton revealed to Yahoo that she is often told that she is ‘pretty for an Aboriginal.’ 

‘Unfortunately, like Brooke, I did also receive these comments [in the past],’ Renee added. 

‘These statements are so hurtful and are so detrimental to a young girl’s mental health. I remember going home in tears and asking why people didn’t like me. No one should ever have to feel like that.’   

Meanwhile, the brunette has been embroiled in drama on Bachelor in Paradise this week after it was revealed that she and Ciarran Stott, 26, had split only a week before the show began filming. 

Ciarran had suggested that the two would reunite in paradise. 

But, it all ended in tears when Ciarran made it clear that while he cared for her, he was unrepentant about how he’d treated her – and the pair had no future.