Rachel Lindsayis on a mission to makeMike Johnsonbecome the first African American bachelor.
The fan-favorite contestant, who won America’s heart while appearing on Hannah Brown’s most recent season ofThe Bachelorette, is now a contender for the covetedBachelorspot — with Lindsay pulling for him as his biggest advocate.
“I’m a huge proponent for Mike to be the next Bachelor,” Lindsay, 34, told PEOPLE. “I say it anytime I get a platform to talk about it. I just feel like they haven’t had a person of color, well, they had Juan Pablo — they never had a black male lead before.”
Lindsay — who made history as thefirst black Bachelorettein theBachelorfranchise and found love with her now-fiancé, Bryan Abasolo — openly addressed the franchise’s lack of diversity but said she hopes the show will embrace the opportunity to make a change.
“I get that inBachelorNation, usually people of color don’t fare as well … people relate to who look like them, and the audience — it’s not diverse. That’s just a fact. But I think that it would be a wrong decision to not pick Mike,” she said. “I have been shouting to the rooftops. I’ve been talking to executives. And he’s from Texas, for goodness’ sake!”
The Texas native went on to say that Johnson is essentially the perfect, All-American package.
“I know personally, just from talking to production, it’s hard to get a really, really good candidate, but here you are faced with a candidate who is attractive, who is a fan favorite, well-spoken, served for our country, has a good story, loves the women in his family,” Lindsay explained. “His opening package had to do with his grandmother and his mother.”
Mike.Craig Sjodin/ABC
Mike Johnson.John Fleenor/ABC
Mike Johnson, Demi Lovato.Craig Sjodin/ ABC; Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images
SingerDemi Lovatowas vocal about her interest in Johnson since the very beginning, calling him out asher pickas she watched an early season episode.
“He should win,” the star could be heard saying in an Instagram Story as Johnson called out season villain, Luke Parker, for saying heloved Brown on their first group date.
When Brown sent Johnson home in July, Lovato excitedly expressed her love for theBachelorettecontestant on social media.
“Swing me, kiss me! Boo boo,” Lovato, 26, can be heard saying in one of herInstagram Storieswhile watching Johnson make his exit from the show. In another Story, she added, “Mike I accept your rose.”
The “Sorry Not Sorry” singer’s love for Johnson was just another example Lindsay used to further prove that the portfolio manager is the idealBachelorcandidate.
“EvenDemi Lovatois trying to shoot her shot with him,” she said. “I do not understand why you would not make this man the next Bachelor.”
Lindsay went on to add that a friend of hers from Texas, who grew up with theBachelorcontender, also approved Johnson’s qualities and agreed that it was his time to hand out the roses.
And while Lindsay is working to help Mike make history, she is also busy getting ready for her upcoming nuptials.
The reality star recently opened up to PEOPLE about why she and Abasolo decided against having a televised wedding special.
She added: “I also think that it shows to the world orBachelorNation that what we have is more real.”
Lindsay offered Abasolo her last rose and accepted his ring onTheBacheloretteseason 13 finale. Two years later, the couple, wholive together in Miami, is getting ready to marry in a private, destination wedding this month.
RELATED VIDEO: Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay on Why She Chose Bryan Abasolo: ‘He is perfect for me’
Clane Gessel Photography
Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo at The Knot event.Asher Gardner
And to kick off the festivities in honor of their big day, the pair recently showcased their love and registry atThe Knot‘s Registry House in Southhampton, New York.
The pre-wedding event, which was equipped withLindsay and Abasolo’s top registry items, allowed guests to check out the selections from the couple’s registry as well as partake in activities such as jewelry and scent making, poolside meditation and a cocktail class withPernod Ricard.
Lindsay even mentioned how one of her registry selections — theVitamix Explorian E310 Blender— can potentially help her prep for future motherhood.
“We like smoothies and we like to juice, but the Vitamix takes things to a whole other level, and then as I just learned, a lot of mothers puree food with the Vitamix, so I do want kids,” she shared. “That’s in the very near future, you know? God willing, everything works out okay, so this is just another thing we can use for that as well.”
In addition to The Knot’s Southhampton soiree, the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. celebrated their impending wedding in June with aromantic engagementphoto shoot in New York City. The pre-wedding photos came just weeks after theypicked out wedding bands togetherduring a trip to visit jeweler Neil Lane, who also designed Lindsay’s 3-carat engagement ring.
“I knew which ring I wanted the second Neil took out the display,” Abasolo told PEOPLE. “It just stuck out right away and I immediately went with my gut. On the other hand, Rachel wanted to try on every ring in the store!”
Lindsay also shared with PEOPLE that she’s “excited” to call Abasolo her husband and is counting down the days until the two are married.
source: people.com
