Bachelor In Paradise’s Niranga Amarasinghe reveals why people of colour don’t appear on The Bachelor

Bachelor In Paradise’s Niranga Amarasinghe has explained why people of colour don’t tend to feature on reality dating shows like The Bachelor.

In an interview with News.com.au on Wednesday, the 28-year-old reality star said it’s a cultural issue and has nothing to do with the actual production of the show. 

‘From experience, there are less POC auditioning for reality TV,’ Niranga explained, with the aircraft engineer having immigrated to Australia from Sri Lanka as a child.

He said many people of colour also face opposition from their families when it comes to appearing on certain reality shows.

‘For the ones who do [audition] and are successful, there is another hurdle an individual has to conquer to actually make it to the filming stage,’ he continued. 

‘They have to convince their families they are happy for them to go on reality TV. POC individuals can have very strict cultural backgrounds which don’t always allow this kind of public display.’ 

But shows like MasterChef, where contestants demonstrate their skills in cooking, don’t carry the same stigmas as shows which focus on romantic relationships.

In a statement to News.com.au, a spokesperson for Network 10 said: ‘Eligible contestants on all Network 10 shows are considered regardless of race or background.

‘Network 10 takes its commitment to diversity seriously and we cast as broadly as possible across our entire slate.’  

In a 2019 interview with HuffPost, before his appearance on last year’s season of The Bachelorette, Niranga said he had the full support of his family.  

‘Mum’s always asking when am I going to find someone and settle down because I’m getting pretty old now,’ he joked. 

He added: ‘[They’re] happy for me to find someone on TV. They’re pretty excited and open.’