While we bared witness to the clear lack of diversity in this year’s Bachelor In Paradise Australia, it looks like Locky Gilbert’s season of The Bachelor is just as sparse.
As one of the few women of colour looking to win Locky’s heart, Areeba Emmanuel has not only been the receiver of Zoe-Clare’s ‘range-gate’ tirade, but she has also been painted as the villain of the season.
However, Areeba is taking her on-screen opportunity in her stride, and encouraging other women of colour to take the leap.
In an interview with The Liverpool City Champion, she opened up about her feelings towards her Pakistani heritage, saying: “It was an honour to be the first Pakistani girl on The Bachelor and national TV.”
She continued to discuss how women from Pakistan tend to avoid taking opportunities on television, due to the clear lack of diversity seen on the series.
“Girls from my country don’t really get to do something like this, or they don’t think they are good enough to do something like this,” she revealed.
“I want everyone to be inspired and motivated by me, and do whatever they want and not be scared about what ‘other people’ have to say.”
When asked about whether she had hesitations over entering The Bachelor, she said, “I was most nervous about not making any friends because of my strong personality.” Adding that “not everyone likes a bossy girl.”
Sharing her words of advice for other women of colour hesitant to apply for the show, Areeba declared, “Do you, be you, and don’t give a s**t about what others have to say about it.”
While Areeba considers her experience on The Bachelor Australia as positive, some past contestants have voiced their opinions about the show’s lack of diversity, one of which being, Niranga Amarasinghe.
Last seen on this year’s Bachelor In Paradise Australia, Niranga has taken many swipes at the show’s lack of representation. In particular, sharing a picture of the Paradise cast and pointing out the obvious discrimination.
Aside from his abysmal lack of screen time on the show, Niranga previously addressed how the lack of diversity explains why this season’s The Bachelor Australia ratings have been at a record low.
Sharing an image of the ratings behind each premiere of The Bachelor Australia, he pointed out the incredibly low ratings, despite Gilbert gaining national popularity from his stint on Survivor Australia.
Another moment in particular involved Niranga’s experience with discrimination on Paradise. When discussing past contestant Cass, and her claims that she received a “bad edit”, he opened up about how his Sri Lankan heritage made him the target of racist commentary.
“There were so many more nasty comments to me and other people,” he revealed.
“One particular moment telling several people they wouldn’t take me back to the parents because of where I was from.. Can’t pronounce my name and doesn’t even know where I’m from.”
The Bachelor Australia continues at 7:30pm Wednesdays and Thursdays on Network 10.
