Entertainment
Bachelorette Australia makes history with first Indigenous and bisexual lead casting – and both men and women will compete for a rose
By casting Brooke Blurton as its newest Bachelorette, the Australian franchise has made history, folks.
Overnight 26-year-old Blurton was announced as the latest lady who will have people throwing themselves at her all in the name of love. However, this is a monumental casting on more than one level – she is not only the first Indigenous Bachelorette to front the series, but she’s also the first openly bisexual star to do so. Ever.
In a groundbreaking move that has us screaming about the LGBT+ representation to anyone who will listen, both men and women will be trying to win the heart of Blurton and will live alongside one another in the bachie mansion.
Blurton, a Noongar-Yamatji woman from Western Australia, has been through the franchise’s wringer twice before after she appeared in Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins’ season in 2018 before appearing in spin-off Bachelor in Paradise the following year.
So third time’s a charm, right?
She said in a statement: ‘I’ve done it twice before and now, having the opportunity to choose my person and who I want in my life, is a truly unique and special experience.
‘I’m so excited and hope that I finally find that person I’ve been waiting for.’
When sharing her thoughts on the monumental casting, and what it might mean for the logistics of the mansion, Blurton was asked whether she was worried about her potential partners hooking up behind-the-scenes. You see, the franchise has never had a co-ed situation before…
She told Pedestrian.TV: ‘I’ve said this [in earlier interviews] and look, who knows if this could happen and if it does happen it will be what it will be and I can’t change that.
‘I’ve said – you know, whether I’m disappointed I didn’t feel that connection with that person, I can’t not be happy that they get to come out of that [experience] with something. Even if it’s not with me, like I’m not going to be too disheartened as a pretty reasonable person, and people know that.’
She added her casting should be a natural move and that her sexuality doesn’t need to be ‘exploited or oversaturated’ – in fact, she’d rather not have titles involved at all.
She explained: ‘I think this has been something we’ve been speaking about in the media, and I think it’s been a want, I think it’s a need, but I also don’t think it needs to be exploited and oversaturated. I think it should be a natural process.
‘And that’s exactly how we’re going to take that approach. It’s not going to be lots of names and titles and everything, we haven’t actually put titles on myself, I’ve just introduced myself as Brooke, but obviously doing radio and TV and stuff like that, it helps them justify where you sit in society, which I think is really silly.
‘So no, there’s a lot of pressure, a lot of responsibility, but look, I’m ready for it.’
Safe to say the announcement has been received incredibly positive with social media blowing up in a full force of rainbows and love hearts at Blurton’s casting.
Amy Thunig wrote on Twitter: ‘The 2021 Bachelorette has been announced & it’s the AMAZING, kind, clever & stunning Brooke Blurton. @BrookeBlurton is bi so suitors will be mixed genders. This is history making stuff & the kind of representation that saves lives fam. I’m so happy! #BacheloretteAU.’
Tali Aualiitia added: ‘Brooke Blurton is the beautiful Trojan horse changing the game from the inside.’
MORE : Former Bachelor Colton Underwood reveals he came out after being blackmailed for visiting a gay spa
