Would ‘The Bachelor’ Ever Have Two Male Leads? After Gabby and Rachel’s Season, It Better

*Warning: Minor spoilers ahead*

Last night, season 19 of ABC’s The Bachelorette premiered with fan-favorites Gabby Windey (31) and Rachel Recchia (26) starring as first-time full-season co-leads. As I watched the men stumble through their intros, attempt some cringeworthy magic tricks and bring up Clayton Echard (the infamous mutual ex) one too many times, I found myself distracted. Rather than choosing my frontrunners and reveling in the frivolity of it all, I couldn’t stop thinking about one thing: They would never do this with The Bachelor. They would never ask two men to share the spotlight and co-anchor a show like this.

But, maybe, it’s about time they do.

I’ve been a fan of the popular franchise for years, from the golden days of Kaitlyn Bristow and JoJo Fletcher to the who-signed-off-on-this seasons of Juan Pablo Galavis and Arie Luyendyk Jr. Whether I’m rooting for the lead or happily hate-watching, I’ve stood by the show’s side. But this latest rendition has got me all riled up.

It didn’t bother me when it was first announced that both Gabby and Rachel would be the new Bachelorettes back in March 2022. Good, I thought, they both deserve to find love after being publicly jerked around by he-who-shall-not-be-named.

But as the excitement wore down and reality set in, something felt off. No one knew how this season was going to work with two full-time leads; not Rachel, not Gabby, not even newcomer host Jesse Palmer (whose entire job it is to support the leads and guide the contestants on the show). “You guys can do whatever you want. Your journey, you call the shots,” he tells them before the first rose ceremony.

But as snippets of the highs and lows of the upcoming season aired, it became clear that the lack of guidance might ultimately be this season’s demise. Rachel and Gabby are in this alone, trying to navigate new relationships, inevitable comparisons and unforeseen rejections, all while also having to share the spotlight and compete for love (something no other male lead has had to do). Rachel’s tear-filled revelation in the season trailer sums it up, “It seems cruel for both of us to be put in this place together,” she says. As the drama continues, Gabby goes on to question how she wound up here in the first place: “Why did they pick me to do this?”

For me, it went a step further: Why is it always the women who are forced to compromise on this show? Why hasn’t a Bachelor been asked to co-lead?

The answer came almost as instantly as the question: ego, misogyny and straight-up sexism. Two men sharing 30 plus women while they bare their souls on national TV? That goes against every gendered notion society has brainwashed us to believe. Not only should men not have to share, but—as the skeptics would say—come on, are they really even capable of it? That engrained doubt speaks volumes and is a product of the biased expectations women are thrust into the minute they’re born. Good girls share. They’re polite and considerate and don’t ask for more than they’re given. But men? We're supposed to believe they are incapable of sharing, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Nineteen years ago, when the producers first flipped the script and introduced The Bachelorette, it was groundbreaking (…for reality TV). But as the franchise continues, it’s clear the double standard is by no means dead.

Let’s not forget that this isn’t the first time the franchise has made two women share the spotlight. Back in 2015 in season 11, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson made network history as the first Bachelorettes to co-lead the show…and then their male contestants got to vote one out—major yikes. Though it’s clear that packaging did not work, it set a tone that could not be ignored (and is sadly still present today): You need two women to do the job of one man.

Now, I’m not saying it’s going to work out for Gabby and Rachel—if we’re being honest, the lack of support suggests they’re destined to fail, used as guinea pigs to boost ratings and “switch things up.” And maybe the producers chose to start with the women because they knew they were emotionally mature enough to handle it. But if they’re going to resurrect this dual lead format, I should expect to see the same with the next season of The Bachelor, right?

On the other hand…maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe that’s something we’re just not ready for. Two bros high-fiving as 30+ women vie for their attention? That’s just kind of gross. But Gabby and Rachel, two heartbroken “best friends” on a journey together to finally find love? Now that’s a story the network can sell.

Is it true that society gets uncomfortable watching men do what women are merely expected to? You bet. But does that mean we shouldn't at least try to rewrite the narrative? Absolutely not.

Your move, ABC…

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