If you like drama, roses, and media-generated relationships that are doomed to fail: The Bachelor is the show for you.
The long-running series in which 30 women line up like beggars at a soup kitchen for the affection of one man is all about putting people through the highs and lows of a romantic relationship at network television speed.
For the viewers at home it’s about Schadenfreude—watching people’s victories, sure, but more importantly reveling in their humiliations and defeats. So it’s no surprise that the personal lives of Bachelor contests are just one more ingredient to be savored in the show’s teeming crockpot dramatic entanglements.
Current Bachelor contestant Victoria Fuller’s past is causing controversy.
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It was revealed that Fuller has modeled “White Lives Matter” merchandise, leading some to wonder how she got on the show in the first place.
victoria f modeled for a white lives matter clothing brand she’s gotta go #TheBachelor ???? pic.twitter.com/OX7oajqjIF
— rach against the machine (@rchlmllnd) January 7, 2020
For the unaware, the “White Lives Matter” and “All Lives Matter” slogans sprang up as a reaction to the “Black Lives Matter” movement that seeks an end to police violence against people of color. It’s a false equivalence designed specifically to yank the focus away from minority groups facing routine, deadly discrimination.
Victoria F has modeled for a white lives matter “company” how the fuck is she on the bachelor? #TheBachelor #DoBetter pic.twitter.com/bYEVblcp1Z
— Megan ???? (@MegsyM23) January 8, 2020
Some responding to the criticism have pointed out that the shirts pictured are fishing related and refer to white and blue marlin conservation efforts.
If anyone would actually look into this it’s about the conservation of white and blue marlins… as in the fish. Don’t just go with whatever you see until you look into it
— Tuddy (@derekjones3111) January 7, 2020
Making a pun based on a racist reaction to a social movement is bound to invite controversy.
This is apparently a secondary controversy however to viewers of the show after TV blogger and tea-spiller “Reality Steve” posted some rumors he’s heard about Fuller’s allegedly sordid dating history.
In an apparent response to those insinuations about her past relationships, Fuller posted a vague denial on Instagram, saying the rumors were “NOT TRUE” and that “there will be a time & place where I can defend myself.”
Ok then. Now about that White Lives Matter merch…?