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- Rachel Lindsay spoke about her frustrations with the "Bachelor" franchise on an episode of variety show "Ziwe."
- Lindsay told host Ziwe Fumudoh the showrunners mainly cast Black men who didn't date Black women because they found it "interesting."
- When Lindsay realized this, she cried. The producers used her tears as part of another scene.
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"Bachelorette" star Rachel Lindsay called out the franchise's diversity issues during Monday's episode of "Ziwe," a Showtime variety show hosted by comedian Ziwe Fumudoh.
Fumudoh interviewed Lindsay about her experience on the reality television show, and asked if she received any backlash for ending up with a white man.
"All three of the Black bachelors and bachelorettes have ended up with partners who are not of color," Fumudoh pointed out.
Indeed, Lindsay, "Bachelor" star Matt James, and newest "Bachelorette" star Tayshia Adams are the only three Black leads in the franchise's 33-season history. Each is currently dating, married, or engaged to a white person.
Lindsay said the show's lack of diversity contributed to that outcome, as well as feelings of frustration she experienced throughout her season.
"It's something I was worried about before I went on the show. I think I got a little bit more grace because I was the first and people were just excited that a person of color was in this role," said Lindsay.
"There was a point where I broke down on camera and they used my tears for something else, but I was getting upset at the selection of men of color," Lindsay told Fumudoh.
She also said "several" of the Black men on her season "didn't date Black women," and the showrunners "found it interesting."
"I said, 'You think that's interesting? That's my life. I live that,'" said Lindsay.
The "Bachelor" franchise has recently faced mounting criticism over its diversity issues.
Former host Chris Harrison resigned from his role earlier this year after he came to the defense of contestant Rachel Kirkconnell. Leaked photos of Kirkconnell attending an "antebellum, plantation-themed" formal in 2018 surfaced while she dated Matt James on the show.
Represenatives for ABC, which produces the "Bachelor" franchise, have not yet responded to Insider's request for comment.