Diverse reality
Breaking reality TV's color barrier: Ex Houston basketball player aims to becomeFirst Black Bachelor
It looks like ABC's The Bachelor could use a ratings boost. It definitely could use some long-overdue diversity.
That's where Lamar Hurd and his viral "First Black Bachelor" campaign comes in. The movement just started a month ago and it's drawn an overwhelming response and support.
Hurd — a 28-year-old Houston native — wants to be the first African-American bachelor featured on the long-running reality TV powerhouse. The idea first came from Hurd's assistant and publicist, who work hard to convince him to try it out. The push eventually paid off. After initially being hesitant, Hurd warmed up to the idea and is now all in on the campaign.
A former Oregon State basketball player who learned to hoop in Houston, Hurd has continued to make the northwest his home after college.
A former Oregon State University basketball player who learned to hoop in Houston, Hurd has continued to make the northwest his home after college. He is a local sportscaster in Portland who mentors kids through basketball training academies and camps.
You can learn more about Hurd from his audition video (above) and hear his fan base praise that, "He's perfect and everyone adores him!"
Creator of The Bachelor Mike Fleiss claims, "We always want to cast for ethnic diversity but they just don't come forward, I wish they would." That's a little hard to believe, but hopefully Hurd's infectious smile and winning personality will secure him a spot on the show. But Fleiss better make up his mind up soon because a similar reality show to be aired on NBC called The One has its eyes set on Hurd as a potential leading man.
You can nominate Hurd on The Bachelorwebsite or stay engaged by following his publicist on Twitter @1stblackbachelor.
