Rachel Lindsay says her experience filming The Bachelorette reunion special wasn't entirely rosy.
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It marked the first time all the women were at the famed The Bachelor mansion together, and while there they shared their stories of romance and recalled some memorable moments in their journeys on the show.
But while the experience was supposed to be positive and cheery, Rachel apparently also found herself a bit disappointed.
"It was sad for me to look around the room and [see that] no one else looked like me," Rachel Lindsay told Us Weekly.
"It was sad for me to be the sole representation for women of color."
After Rachel, 34, fought for Nick Viall's heart on Season 21 of The Bachelor, she became the first African-American lead in the franchise's history and starred on Season 13 of The Bachelorette.
While The Bachelor has had a Hispanic star, there has also never been an African-American star in all 23 seasons.
However, Rachel still enjoyed herself and told Us that she was grateful to have mingled with such strong, lovely ladies.
"The best part for me was being in the midst of the women who paved the way for me to be the Bachelorette," Rachel told the magazine.
"They started this 'journey' at a time when it wasn't popular to be the Bachelorette. America was not as accepting to see a woman in this role the way they were accepting of men."
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RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOWThe former Dallas-based attorney continued, "Social media was not a factor in their decision to find love. These were women who were open to a new experience and open to love. I loved hearing their invaluable insight."
Rachel's time on The Bachelorette was a success, as she got engaged to her final-rose recipient, Bryan Abasolo, a Miami-based chiropractor, in the 2017 finale. The couple is now planning to get married in the Caribbean in August 2019.
Rachel met Bryan for the first time at the mansion, but since that was a "shared experience" with her other suitors on The Bachelorette, she acknowledged the location isn't very special to her.
"It would have been emotional for me if it was at the place where Bryan proposed to me and he was the only man left," Rachel said.
In addition to Rachel, the following ladies participated in the reunion special: Trista Sutter from Season 1, DeAnna Pappas from Season 4, Jillian Harris from Season 5, Ali Fedotowsky from Season 6, Ashley Hebert from Season 7, Emily Maynard from Season 8, Desiree Hartsock from Season 9, Andi Dorfman from Season 10, Kaitlyn Bristowe from Season 11, JoJo Fletcher from Season 12, and Becca Kufrin from Season 14.
As previously announced, the two-hour reunion special will feature an inside look at Rachel and Bryan's wedding preparations and intimate bridal shower, a look back at the memorable "firsts" throughout the years, and a catch-up with some of the "most controversial men" in The Bachelorette history, according to ABC.
In addition, host Chris Harrison will take a special trip to Hannah Brown's hometown for an up-close and personal look at the next Bachelorette.
After the reunion airs, Season 15 of The Bachelorette is scheduled to premiere on Monday, May 13 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
