While Luke Pell was believed to be in the running to become the next man to lead "The Bachelor" for 2017, speculations claim that there could be some changes that will be implemented when the dating reality series returns for season 21.
During the Television Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles on Aug. 4, ABC president Channing Dungey talked about adding some diversity in the show's line-up in the upcoming season.
The show is being criticized for the lack of representation of colored people in the roster of suitors or female contestants. But this time, Dungey said that he wants the problem with diversity addressed.
"I would very much like to see some change there," Dungey stated during the press panel, as reported by Us Magazine. "And I think one of the biggest changes that we need to do is we need to increase the pool of diverse candidates in the beginning. Because part of what ends up happening as we go along is that there just aren't as many candidates to ultimately end up in the role of the next Bachelor or Bachelorette. So that's something we really want to put some effort and energy towards."
While it may still take a while before a black Bachelor could be introduced since the show normally gets the next lead from the runners-up of the previous "The Bachelorette" season, Dungey said that it could be addressed by adding diversity in the next roster of men.
"I think what we'd like to try to do is just widen the pool of faces," the network president stated.
Meanwhile, Luke is believed to be the next Bachelor for 2017 based on the observations of "The Bachelorette" season 12 star JoJo Fletcher, her winner Jordan Rodgers, as well as the prolific tipster Reality Steve.
"If you ask me personally, I think both Luke and Chase [McNary] are great options," JoJo said in an interview with Good Morning America, as reported by Us Magazine. "Maybe they could do a double one like they did with Kaitlyn [Bristowe] and Britt [Nilsson]. But Luke for sure."
The announcement of the next man to lead "The Bachelor" 2017 is expected to be made soon.
