Kaitlyn Bristowe Controversy: ‘Bachelorette’ Not Ashamed To Have Sex On Show, But ABC’s Decision To Show Hookup May Not Be ‘Slut Shaming’
Kaitlyn Bristowe isn’t ashamed to be seen having sex with a contestant on The Bachelorette, and now some fans are calling out ABC for seemingly “slut shaming” her after the on-screen hookup.
Bristowe is part of the first-ever dual Bachelorette season of the show and was selected by the male contestants to be the center of the show this year. But just a few weeks in, she has already stoked controversy when she slept with one of the male suitors.
While it’s not unheard of for Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants to be intimate with their suitors, this is the first time it has come before the “fantasy suite” stage of the competition, which takes place near the end.
In an interview with ET’s Nancy O’Dell, Kaitlyn Bristowe said she is not ashamed to be seen having sex.
“I don’t think that’s a crazy thing to sleep with somebody when you’re trying to be in a relationship with them,” the brunette beauty explained. “I’m a 30-year-old woman and I make my own decisions and intimacy to me is a part of every relationship and I don’t know why everyone is so shocked by it. It’s 2015.”
“I’m an in-the-moment kind of person,” she continued. “I tried to compartmentalize each relationship and be present with each guy, and some went faster than others and some went slower than others.”
Bristowe went on to say that she does “regret the timing” of the romp, but she isn’t afraid to talk about it and doesn’t believe she has anything to hide.
Many fans disagree. A number of viewers took to social media to speak out against Kaitlyn, saying she went too far and isn’t a good role model for the dating show.
Others have called out The Bachelorette for seemingly “slut shaming” Bristowe but placing such a focus on her hookup.
“The franchise has always had ‘weird sex issues,’ but the previews and subsequent discussions taking place about Bristowe’s actions became slut-shamey almost immediately after the show aired on Tuesday,” wrote Jessica Goodman on the Huffington Post.
@kaitlynbristowe be true to yourself and ignore everyone else
— Tammy Star (@tlstar2014) May 22, 2015
While Kaitlyn Bristowe is not ashamed of her hookup and defending her actions, ABC’s motives may be more complicated than simply “slut shaming” her. As Juan Pablo’s season of The Bachelor demonstrated, controversial contestants can lead to big ratings, so the promos featuring Kaitlyn’s hookup may come down simply to ratings rather than a judgment of her character.
[Image via ABC]
