Los Angeles Times

‘The Bachelor’ is again embroiled in controversy —this time over gaslighting

Clayton Echard attends 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2021 Presented By Capital One at The Forum on Dec. 3, 2021 in Inglewood, California.

LOS ANGELES — After its first season with a Black lead was rocked by scandal — and criticism of its ongoing diversity missteps — ABC’s “The Bachelor” was poised to retreat to its comfort zone this season: fun-filled dates, exotic locations and an upbeat white lead.

At center stage in Season 26 is Clayton Echard, a former football player adored by kids, puppies and the group of eligible bachelorettes competing for his affections. The Midwestern medical sales rep with the toothy smile marked a dramatic shift from the brooding Matt James, whose 2021 search for love was marred by an uproar over photographs of a contestant taken at

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