The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss left reality franchise after investigation in racial discrimination
The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss has left the iconic reality franchise following a racial profiling investigation… after producers claimed he “criticized” suggestions for a diverse cast.
- Fleiss announced that she would be leaving The Bachelor on Thursday
- But he was investigated for “attacking” attempts to add diverse casts.
- He will have no influence, but will still be credited in the series going forward.
Mike Fleiss, the creator of the long-running reality series The Bachelor, reportedly announced his departure from the series as a result of an investigation into allegations of racial profiling.
Although the 58-year-old producer spun his departure as his own choice and seemed optimistic about the move, sources said. Variety that an investigation into his conduct had been launched after several employees working on franchise programs complained about his behavior.
Sources said that the producers accused him of “bullying” behavior behind the scenes of the show, saying that he had rejected their suggestions for more racial diversity for the generally white cast.
In an emailed statement to the publication, Fleiss admitted that she “could have done more” without admitting to the more serious claims, saying she hopes the series “continues to move in the right direction.”
Sources familiar with the investigation into Fleiss’s conduct said it was conducted by Warner Bros. TV, and was launched after several employees complained to the human resources department about him.
Bad exit: The Bachelor creator Mike Weiss left the popular franchise this week after a racial profiling investigation was launched against him, Variety reported Thursday; seen in 2014 in New York
Along the way: Sources said producers accused him of “bullying” behavior behind the scenes of the show, saying he had rejected their suggestions for more racial diversity for the usually lily-white cast ; Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James on The Bachelor
The investigation was conducted by an outside party for the past several months and once it began, producers currently working on the show and former production staff members were interviewed.
Notably, the people interviewed were not just lesser people, but also high-profile producers who had worked on The Bachelor, as well as its sister reality shows The Bachelorette and Bachelor In Paradise.
The investigation apparently went against Fleiss, and he reportedly left as a result of it.
Producers described a tense atmosphere when the creator was around, accusing him of “bullying” his co-workers while refusing to try to add more people of color to various casts from the Bachelor franchise.