"The Bachelor' Producers Stunned by Questions on Franchise's Race Issues"

During an ABC panel, The Bachelor producers were questioned about the franchise's history of race issues, particularly with non-white leads. When asked about the struggles with conversations and portrayals of race, the producers remained silent, prompting criticism. This comes after the departure of Chris Harrison in 2021 following controversies surrounding the show's handling of racial issues. The franchise has faced multiple controversies in recent years, and the executive producers have been working on a cautious reset to address these issues.