American reality television franchise The Bachelor has long been criticized for how it handles race. Industry journalists, academics, and critics have condemned the franchise for its lack of racial diversity, its portrayal of people of color, and its contestants' racist behaviors.
Since the franchise's inception in 2002, most of the contestants on its flagship shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have been white. People of other races are often eliminated early in each season, and those who remain are normally of mixed white ethnicity or their heritage is downplayed. The first person of color in a leading role was Rachel Lindsay on The Bachelorette 13 (2017). The first male star of color was Matt James on The Bachelor 25 (2021). Juan Pablo Galavis on The Bachelor 18 (2014) was promoted as the first "non-Caucasian" lead but this was challenged by critics. The franchise's diversity issues were more evident before a 2012 racial discrimination lawsuit, although it was dismissed.
The Bachelor franchise has endured racism on and off its television programs. In the era of social media, fans have found contestants posting racist messages and photographs online. Longtime host and face of The Bachelor, Chris Harrison, left the franchise in 2021 after defending a white contestant for attending an Antebellum South-themed formal event.