After 12 seasons of The Bachelorette featuring only white women in the titular role, it was announced on Monday evening that Bachelor contestant Rachel Lindsay — a 31-year-old lawyer from Texas — has officially been cast as the next season’s leading lady. Although the news was welcomed with open arms from fans of the long-running reality show, the timing of the historic announcement was considered peculiar, as Lindsay is still currently competing on The Bachelor to win the affections of Nick Viall. (An industry insider suggested to Vulture that ABC made the preemptive decision to announce her casting in an attempt to keep it from being spoiled by various fan websites.) Now making the requisite press rounds, Lindsay stopped by Good Morning America to discuss what it means for her to be the first black Bachelorette.
When asked if she feels any added pressure because her casting is considered historic for the show, Lindsay stressed that she doesn’t, and added that she simply wants to find love like the previous contestants on the show. “I’m honored to have this opportunity and to represent myself as an African-American woman,†she explained. “And I just hope that people rally behind me like they did in Nick’s season … I’m just trying to find love. Even though I’m an African-American woman, it’s no different than any other Bachelorette.â€