Mike Fleiss, creator of long-running reality series The Bachelor, reportedly announced his departure from the series following an investigation into allegations of racial discrimination.
Although the 58-year-old producer described his departure as his own choice and seemed optimistic about the move, sources told Variety that an investigation into his behavior was launched after several employees who worked on shows in the franchise fell out over his behavior had complained.
Sources said the producers accused him of “bullying” behind the scenes on the show, and they said he shot down their suggestions for more racial diversity to the normally lily-white cast.
In an email statement to the publication, Fleiss admitted he “could have done more” without admitting the more serious claims, and said he hopes the series will “continue to move in the right direction.”
Sources familiar with the investigation into Fleiss’ behavior said it was conducted by Warner Bros. TV and initiated after several employees complained about him to Human Resources.
Bad outcome: The Bachelor creator Mike Weiss left the popular franchise this week after a racial discrimination investigation was launched against him, Variety reported Thursday; Seen in New York in 2014
Incidentally, sources said the producers accused him of being “bullying” behind the scenes on the show, and they said he shot down their suggestions for more racial diversity to the normally lily-white cast; Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James pictured on The Bachelor
The investigation has been conducted by an outside party for the past few months, and when it began, producers currently working on the show and former production staff were interviewed.
Remarkably, the people interviewed were not only lesser-ranked people, but also high-profile producers who had worked on The Bachelor, as well as sibling reality shows The Bachelorette and Bachelor In Paradise.
The investigation apparently went unfavorably for Fleiss, and he is said to have left as a result.
Producers described a tense atmosphere when the creator was around, and they accused him of “bullying” his colleagues while stepping on the gas in attempts to add more people of color to various Bachelor franchise line-ups.
According to the sources, Fleiss would reject suggestions from other employees and then “hit” against them.
“People said he would take revenge on people for having minorities and black people on the show. He preferred certain people over other people,” said a person familiar with the investigation.
“He would say, ‘Minorities don’t get reviews.'”
Fleiss’ contract with Warner Bros. was set to be renewed in late 2022, when the investigation reportedly began. Although there was apparently talk of a new deal with him, material that emerged during the investigation ended those talks.
Disturbing: A person familiar with the investigation claimed Fleiss said, “Minorities don’t get ratings”; Seen in New York in 2014
Playing favorites: “People said he would get back at people for having minorities and black people on the show,” the same source said; Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo on The Bachelorette.
Changes: Rachel Lindsay became the first person of color to appear on The Bachelorette in 2017 and Matt James became the first non-white Bachelor star in 2021; seen with Rachael Kirkconnell earlier this year
Employees were reportedly not notified of Fleiss’ imminent departure, and the announcement came as a surprise to some of them.
Adding to the confusion was the fact that many people who worked on Bachelor shows didn’t even know the investigation was ongoing
Some people involved with the show had better connections with Fleiss and said they were unaware of the complaints about him, with two production staff saying they were “shocked” to learn of the allegations.
They described Fleiss as a racially inclusive leader and denied ever seeing discrimination in the workplace.
“I’ve been there almost from the start. It was fantastic,” said one person described as a “senior crew member.” “I found him really supportive and really creative and collaborative. Nothing negative at all. He has everything you could wish for in a showrunner and boss. I have nothing bad to say about him and it’s annoying to hear that others are doing it.
An EP on The Bachelor, someone who would have been closer to Fleiss’ rank behind the scenes claimed he was “nothing but respectful”.
‘He asks everyone for their opinion. I have never seen any racist behavior from him. He does not discriminate against anyone on the staff. I’m just at a loss as to where these allegations are coming from,” they said.
“Mike gets heated in creative discussions,” they conceded. “But that’s because he’s passionate about the show and constantly wants the best for our audience. I’ve been with him for 22 years. If someone says they’re a bully, it’s only because they’re passionate about the show. I’ve never seen him bully another person.
Out of the blue: Fleiss’ departure was not announced to his colleagues beforehand. Some producers of The Bachelor claimed never to have seen racist behavior from him and defended his behavior; pictured in Beverly Hills in 2012
The same producer credited Fleiss with promoting Jodi Baskerville, a black longtime producer on The Bachelor, to an executive producing role.
“Mike was instrumental in promoting an African American woman to the executive producer position. To me there is evidence that he was trying to diversify our show,” they said.
However, Fleiss’ move came just months after The Bachelor became embroiled in a controversy over racist actions by contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who had already been chosen by star Matt James – who is black.
The controversy eventually led to host Chris Harrison being booted from the series for defending her comments. Kirkconnell, who apologized for distasteful social media posts and attending a Greek party at a plantation, initially split with James, although the two later reconciled and rekindled their relationship.
The Bachelor first aired in 2002, and the female-led Bachelorette followed in 2003, but until 2017 a person of color was helming one of the shows.
Rachel Lindsay was cast to star in The Bachelorette earlier this year, but it would be four more years before the first person of color – Matt James – was named the star of the flagship series.
Two other women of color have since headlined The Bachelorette, and Charity Lawson, who is black, will become the fourth person of color on the show when its season airs in the summer.
So far, James remains the only person of color to direct The Bachelor.