Botched Bachelor Bikini Editing Job Sparks Huge Outrage
Bachelor Nation is well aware of the fact that the series experiences its fair share of crazy moments and disturbing secrets that stir up fierce reactions from loyal viewers, but the reality TV drama created a big buzz in February 2020, over a seriously questionable (and hilarious) bikini editing job. Let's get to the bottom (pun intended) of this.
As the contestants joined bachelor Peter Weber on a group date photoshoot for Cosmopolitan magazine, the ladies were given swimsuits to wear. However, a few of the bikinis were apparently a little too racy for television because it looks like someone behind the scenes attempted to do a little edited to spare viewers at home the potentially-offending sight of a barely-covered backside. The problem arose over the quality — or lack thereof — of said editing.
"Although many of the ladies tried to turn up the heat with [Weber] during the shoot, the network apparently preferred to turn the thermostat back down, using photoshop to alter the women's bottoms and make their swimsuits appear more modest," reports AOL. "The edits were not contained to the group date, however — they extended to Peter's troubled one-on-one date with Chicago-based attorney Kelley Flanagan."
There must be plenty of people in the entertainment industry with exceptional Photoshop skills, but um, maybe this particular task was left to an intern? Needless to say, viewers were not impressed.
The Bachelor bikini backlash was swift
Fans of the Bachelor put up with a lot of cringe-worthy circumstances on the reality series. Frankly, viewers expect it and adore it! However, every once in a while (or a few times per each episode) something happens that stirs up a firestorm on social media. The sloppy bum censor-gate of 2020 situation is one of those times.
"These bikini bottom edits on #TheBachelor are killing me," one Twitter user wrote. A second (somewhat sympathetic) person tweeted: "[G]od bless the intern who has to draw all of the bachelor contests bikini bottoms back on." Another person tweeted: "lol did the editors use MS paint to add more of a bikini bottom to Victoria F's butt?" And then there was this seemingly valid point: "It's so funny that ABC blacks out the girls butts in bathing suits on the Bachelor but shows people basically having sex with their clothes on."
Perhaps those responsible for the Bachelor should stick with their tried and true methods of keeping viewers from seeing too much skin...
Bums on the Bachelor have always been censored
Viewers may not have been impressed with the recent (lack of?) effort put into covering up contestants' sexy bits, but anyone who's watched The Bachelor in the past knows that while audiences regularly get to see those on the reality series in revealing clothing, bums are often censored. In previous seasons — particularly on Bachelor in Paradise, which takes place on the sizzling beach, meaning that the majority of those onscreen are wearing skimpy swimsuits 99 percent of the time — two different techniques have been used.
First, there's the good ol' blur. If someone is sporting a thong that shows off too much bare butt cheek ... blur it! If someone is wearing a dress that allows too much curvy cleavage to bust out ... blur it! Even the men are at the mercy of the blur button if their backsides slip into view.
However, there's also a second method that's been used to shield what our eyes apparently can't handle. Former contestant Tia Booth pointed out her preference, tweeting: "I miss the regular black boxes. They done got creative."
While fans were free to debate which method they prefer, another controversy was stirring...
Cosmo pulled its cover over another Bachelor controversy
The Bachelor photoshoot created even more buzz when contestant Victoria Fuller earned her a spot on Cosmopolitan magazine's digital cover. However, that cover will never be released. Soon after the episode involving the photoshoot aired, the publication announced that it was canceling the cover because of a controversial modeling gig from Fuller's past.
"It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I found out that the woman I'd chosen had, in her past, modeled in an ad campaign wearing White Lives Matter attire," Cosmo editor Jessica Pels wrote. She also noted, "It's been reported that what she modeled for was actually a Marlin Lives Matter organization focused on preventing white and blue marlin from being overfished, which used 'white lives matter' and 'blue lives matter' messaging on its promotional shirts and hats." However, Pels said, "In my view, the nature of the organization is neither here nor there — both phrases and the belief systems they represent are rooted in racism and therefore problematic." Pels said the Cosmo brand stands "in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and any cause that fights to end injustices for people of color."
And there you have it, folks, another cringe-worthy circumstance involving a franchise that's already facing controversy surrounding race and diversity.