Now that Ben Higgins has finally picked which woman he loves more, we can talk about the next big moment in the red rose world: The next "Bachelorette." After last week's "Women Tell All" episode, the internet blew up about second-runner up, Caila Quinn, becoming the new Bachelorette. Once the rumor spread, people were freaking out, including my group chat of over-invested Bachelorette groupies. Caila may be super adorable, genuine, and radiates as the perfect domestic housewife, but viewers are going to want a Bachelorette with more sass and spunk. The dating show needs a Bachelorette to make Chris Harrison coin this season as "the most dramatic one yet" for a tenth time. But here is my confession: even though Caila is not my favorite either, I'm 100 percent pushing for her to be the next Bachelorette.
It's not a popularity vote with this one. Because if it was, I'd be rooting for Amanda all the way. Side note: She definitely needs to redeem herself after Ben -- and maybe myself -- cried when he escorted her into the limo rose-less during week eight. But anyway, Caila as the reality show's next leading lady is a lot bigger than being a fan favorite. She would be the first Bachelorette with some diversity. Finally a Bachelorette who is something other than just white. And for "The Bachelor/Bachelorette" franchise, this is groundbreaking.
I mean, what else is the show known for besides their dramatic conquests on finding love? The obvious lack of diversity. It been 20 seasons of "The Bachelor" and 11 seasons of "The Bachelorette." All leading up to 31 seasons of white people finding love and other ethnic contestants struggling to make it to hometowns. Actually, hometowns is a little ambitious; they're fighting to make it past week five. It's surprising with the ABC show's enormous hype that the only Bachelor/Bachelorette with diversity is Hispanic, former-Bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis from season 18. Caila landing this spot can spring so many opportunities for the show and its viewers. Once people see a leading lady of a different ethnicity, this could bring more diverse contestants. Maybe we'll have a few more Latina contestants on the show. Or we might even finally have an African-American Bachelor down the road, if more diverse people are thrown into the ring.
The show is well overdue for a racial makeover. More diverse contestants will bring more diverse viewers. Plus, it's about time the franchise does something to squash it's racist label. So even though Caila might not be as dramatic and reality-personality as "The Bachelorette" producers want, it's all about the big picture. And if you watched any of the past "Bachelorette" seasons, you know that we can always count on the guys to bring the drama just as hard as the ladies.