Channel 10 boss says it’s hard finding diverse contestants for The Bachelor

Pilot James ‘Jimmy’ Nicholson, who is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, was announced as Australia’s new Bachelor last week.

But on Tuesday, Channel Ten boss Beverley McGarvey admitted it wasn’t easy finding a diverse contestant to star on the show.

‘Bachelor is certainly not the easiest show to cast. It’s a particular type of show, and there are certain cultural groups that don’t want to be part of that,’ she told TV Tonight.

‘That is absolutely fine and it is disrespectful of us to try and encourage particular groups to be part of something they don’t want to be part of.’

Ms McGarvey went on to say this year’s Bachelor cast is a mix of ladies from different backgrounds.

‘We have worked very hard to cast the right show, and also ensure that the cast is representative of the audience that will be watching it,’ she said.

It comes after former Bachelor star Niranga Amarasinghe recently told News.com.au, it is more difficult for people of colour when applying for shows.

‘From experience, there are less POC auditioning for reality TV. For the ones who do and are successful, there is another hurdle an individual has to conquer to actually make it to the filming stage,’ he said.

‘They have to convince their families they are happy for them to go on reality TV. POC individuals can have very strict cultural backgrounds which don’t always allow this kind of public display.’

Meanwhile, Channel 10 officially unveiled commercial pilot Jimmy as Australia’s 2021 Bachelor on Wednesday.

He told Sydney Confidential he’d signed up for The Bachelor because his career had made it difficult for him to find a long-term partner.

‘I was never in the same spot for too long,’ he explained.

The Bachelor’s ninth season will air on Channel 10 later this year