Theme 1: White Femininity vs. Black Physicality
The first theme of the study delved into the impact of racial and ethnic identities on the way Twitter users within Bachelor Nation see femininity. This analysis uncovered significant disparities across seasons, namely in the prioritization of white femininity compared to women of color. The transition from Season 20, which mostly revolved around talks about white femininity and beauty ideals, to Season 25, which emphasized women of color bodies, highlights the changing cultural norms and growing acknowledgment of diversity and representation. This evolution mirrors findings from Dubrofsky’s (2006) research, which highlights how women of color within The Bachelor framework often play secondary roles, reinforcing the importance of whiteness. These results provide insight into the intricate nature of racial portrayal in reality television and its influence on society’s views of femininity and attractiveness.
Theme 2: No More Ghetto: Coded Racism in the Bachelor Nation
The second theme, the analysis of encoded racism within Bachelor Nation discourse, demonstrated a shift away from explicitly negative stereotypes linked to Black people, suggesting a favorable change in views towards diversity and inclusivity in media. However, the discussion also raised worries over tokenization and the need for genuine representation beyond categorizing individuals by race. These results coincide with the research on stereotypes and societal expectations of femininity across different ethnic groups, which emphasize the continued promotion of limited and frequently objectifying portrayals in the media. The regular repetition of these stereotypes, as noted in tweets, highlights the need to analyze media portrayals to foster authentic diversity and inclusion critically.
Theme 3: Normalizing Whiteness
For theme three, the process of normalizing whiteness in Season 25 highlighted inclination towards Eurocentric ideals of beauty, perpetuating racial inequalities and detrimental stereotypes. This emphasis on white femininity aligns with Dubrofsky’s findings regarding the framing of women of color within The Bachelor, where their significance is often overshadowed by the primary storyline. Additionally, the examination of beauty norms for women of color highlights the expectation of conforming to Eurocentric standards, resulting in feelings of inadequacy and exclusion.