The investigation examines the influence of racial/ethnic identification on how Twitter users within Bachelor Nation perceive femininity and uncovered significant discrepancies across different seasons. Season 20 had a mostly white cast (92.5%) and focused heavily on the femininity and beauty standards of white women, accounting for around 70% of the conversation. In contrast, during Season 25, when the cast was more varied (58% white), the majority of topics were on women of color, making about 70% of the conversations about femininity and beauty standards.
The tweets were subjected to quantitative analysis, which revealed clear trends in the vocabulary used by Twitter users. The talks in Season 25 mostly revolved around adjectives that emphasized physical attractiveness, such as “gorgeous,” “beautiful,” “body,” and “stunning.” This indicates an increased emphasis on physical characteristics and beauty standards when discussing women of color. Conversely, the debates around Season 20 exhibited a wider array of descriptions, such as “sweet,” “crazy,” “normal,” and “adorable,” suggesting a more intricate evaluation of femininity that extends beyond just physical attributes.
These studies demonstrate how race, gender, and beauty standards connect in modern culture, as seen through a sociological lens. The unequal focus on physical characteristics compared to behavior implies inherent prejudices and preconceptions that are often seen in the representation of femininity across various racial groups. The excessive focus and discussion on physical attractiveness among women of color may highlight the widespread impact of Eurocentric beauty standards and the marginalization of non-white femininity in popular media discussions. It also speaks to the ways in which women of color are exoticized, fetishized, and objectified as a result of their beauty. For example, contestant Chelsea had her body mentioned the most out of any contestant from season 25, specifically 22 times.
Furthermore, the transition in conversation from Season 20 to Season 25 suggests the development of social standards and a growing recognition of diversity and representation. The increased attention given to women of color in Season 25 conversations indicates a rising awareness of the significance of inclusive representation and the broadening of beauty norms in mainstream society. Nevertheless, it also emphasizes the enduring obstacles and inequalities experienced by women of color in achieving acknowledgment and inclusion within prevailing beauty narratives. Despite being a more diverse cast, audience watchers still struggle with discussing women of color holistically in comparison to their white counterparts.