The Bachelorette Season 11: A look back at Kaitlyn Bristowe
By Julia Wagner
The Bachelor calls out social media bullying
For years, contestants and leads on Bachelor shows have gotten hate online when some “fans” inexplicably feel the need to call them out on their actions, or just on who they are. Up until Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season, the show itself had been pretty quiet about the toll that social media can have on the people they cast. To be fair, Instagram had just started to really ramp up to the powerhouse it is today before the start of Kaitlyn’s season. In response to the extreme online hate and bullying Kaitlyn received while her season was airing, the show took the opportunity at “The Men Tell All” to put the harshest comments on display and call attention to the growing problem that was social media bullying.
The on-stage reading by Chris Harrison of the verbal attacks Kaitlyn had received really put into focus the dark side of appearing on a reality show in the age of social media. As Kaitlyn stated at The Men Tell All:
"I am so fine with people disagreeing with me or having their opinions. That’s okay. But spreading hate the way people have been is not okay. And I don’t know, I’m almost in shock."
The comments, some of which included death threats, came through Twitter, Instagram, and some were messaged to Kaitlyn personally. The worst one was even from a mother!
There was a touching moment after Chris Harrison read the comments where the audience shouted their love for Kaitlyn and everyone, including the men from her season, stood up and applauded to show their support for her.
It was a true moment of solidarity in the room and a reminder of the love that fans have for the people who participate in the show. And we are always here for it!
Next. The Bachelor: 5 things you may not know about the series. dark