The bloom is off the final rose for “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay and husband Bryan Abasolo, who found love on the reality dating franchise.

Matt James knows he's breaking new ground as the first Black Bachelor. to share a little about how life has changed since he was announced as the Bachelor franchise's first Black male lead earlier this month. As James told Chris Harrison, the support he's gotten from his Black friends has been particularly important. The Bachelor franchise's first Black female lead, Rachel Lindsay, said that she didn't watch The Bachelor before she appeared on Nick Viall's season. RELATED CONTENT:Rachel Lindsay 'Hated the Timing' of Matt James' 'Bachelor' CastingKaitlyn Bristowe: Matt James' Bachelor Casting More Than A Quick FixMike Johnson Reacts to Matt James' 'Bachelor' Casting

Rachel Lindsay is pointing out a downside to Matt James' casting as the next Bachelor. Prior to the announcement of James' casting, Lindsay broke down the potential contenders for who could be the show's first black Bachelor with ET's Lauren Zima. Of James, Lindsay joked, "Matt James, we don't even know you." James' season of The Bachelor is expected to film after Crawley's and debut in 2021. RELATED CONTENT:Kaitlyn Bristowe: Matt James' Bachelor Casting More Than A Quick FixTyler Cameron, Hannah Brown and More on Matt James' 'Bachelor' CastingMike Johnson Reacts to Matt James' 'Bachelor' Casting

The former Bachelorette was a trailblazer on her 2015 season of the ABC dating show and believes Matt James' upcoming season of The Bachelor will also affect change. The reception to James as the first black Bachelor has been positive, but some -- including Rachel Lindsay -- are saying it's not enough. "Rachel is in the situation where she's like, 'I'm sick of talking about this, I've said this to the Bachelor world for so long. Let's see the change and let's see it go past just having a black Bachelor. James' season of The Bachelor would shoot after Crawley's season wraps, and premiere in 2021.

Becca Kufrin is no longer sure what the future holds for her relationship with Garrett Yrigoyen. The former Bachelorette opened up about the difficult conversations she was having with her fianc last week, following his post supporting cops amid the Black Lives Matter movement. Kufrin called Yrigoyen's Instagram "tone-deaf," and revealed that her sister had also spoken to her, upset with Yrigoyen's post. "I know Garrett has a good heart, but the fact that he is willing to equate Blue Lives Matter to Black Lives Matter shows me that you don't get it. You face dangers, you take an oath to serve and protect... nobody is saying that your lives don't matter," she added.

This image released by ABC shows Matt James, who will be the next bachelor on the 25th season of the romance reality series "The Bachelor." (Craig Sjodin/ABC via AP)NEW YORK ABC has named Matt James, its first black Bachelor to lead the network's long-running dating competition show. The casting was announced Friday on Good Morning America.James, a 28-year-old from North Carolina, was originally chosen to compete for Clare Crawley's affection on The Bachelorette, but filming was scrapped in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Good Morning America says James founded an organization in New York City that finds creative ways to engage children from underserved areas. The show has been under pressure for years to be more diverse and cast a black "Bachelor."

The Bachelor franchise is ready for change. On Friday, the ABC dating show announced its first black Bachelor, Matt James. James' casting isn't a "cure-all" for the franchise's historic lack of diversity, Mills said. Earlier this week, Lindsay called for the Bachelor franchise to address its "systemic racism." We feel so privileged to have Matt as our first Black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him."

Before Friday, the former Bachelorette remained the only black lead in Bachelor franchise history. "The only reason people are into Matt James is because people are into Tyler. We don't know anything about Matt James other than the fact that he's affiliated with Tyler." Lindsay said she was expecting to hear from the Bachelor franchise about her suggestions within the next week. RELATED CONTENT:Who Is Matt James: 5 Things to Know About the First Black 'Bachelor''The Bachelor' Reveals First Black Lead Ever For Season 25Rachel Lindsay on Who Could Be First Black 'Bachelor'

While it was once thought that Mike Johnson would be the first black man to lead a season of The Bachelor, he couldn't be more thrilled for Matt James. "I just want to give a huge shout out to Matt James," he began. Johnson also gave "a huge shout out to ABC" for finally casting a black man on the show. Giving one last shout out to James, he concluded his video, "And Matt, do your thing, homie." "I was extremely vocal about Mike Johnson and how he checked all the boxes and it doesn't make sense why he is not the lead.

As an interracial couple, Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo have had to face challenges throughout their lives. So, we've always had to develop a thick skin and figure out how to navigate this world as an interracial couple. Lindsay is black and Abasolo is Colombian. See more on Lindsay and the changes she'd like to see in the Bachelor franchise in the video below. RELATED CONTENT:Rachel Lindsay & Becca Kufrin Address Garrett Yrigoyen's Pro-Cop PostRachel Lindsay Says 'Bachelor' EP Told Her They Want 'Change'Rachel Lindsay Calls for 'Bachelor' to Acknowledge Systemic RacismExclusiveExclusiveImageBylineJennifer DrysdaleTue, 06/09/2020 - 17:30

Fans are hoping we'll see a black Bachelor for season 25 -- and Rachel Lindsay has some thoughts. Over 70,000 viewers and counting have signed a Change.org petition for The Bachelor to cast a black lead for season 25. I'm told they have a reason," Lindsay says, "because I was definitely up in arms when I found out it wasn't going to be him." "If that's what it takes, bringing somebody who's not affiliated with the franchise, I'm for that. RELATED CONTENT:Rachel Lindsay & Bryan Abasolo Had 'Tough Discussions' About RaceRachel Lindsay on the BTS Reason Mike Johnson Wasn't 'Bachelor'Rachel Lindsay Says 'Bachelor' EP Told Her They Want 'Change'

She told ET that she needs to see a lead of color on The Bachelor for its upcoming season 25. Lindsay remains the only black lead in the Bachelor franchise's 18-year history. As for her other guideline, to "stop creating problematic storylines for people of color," Lindsay had several examples. Since she was cast on Nick Viall's season of The Bachelor, Lindsay said she's been told "everyone wants diversity. RELATED CONTENT:'Bachelor': Sean Lowe Says Producers Need to Cast 'More Black Men'Rachel Lindsay Calls for 'Bachelor' to Acknowledge Systemic RacismRachel Lindsay Says Lack of Black 'Bachelor' Is 'Embarrassing'

Last week, Yrigoyen shared his thoughts on the protests and police with a post in support of "the Thin Blue Line." Remember these men and women who hold this Thin Blue Line; strangers, friends, family, neighbors, or your enemies. He never said 'black lives matter.' "And then the very next post is the 'thin blue line' with a heartfelt, thought-out caption that he said with his chest. You face dangers, you take an oath to serve and protect... nobody is saying that your lives don't matter," she added.

For many fans, it was hard to find a reason why Mike Johnson wasn't cast as the Bachelor for season 24. "I definitely asked," Lindsay tells ET's Lauren Zima of her questions to producers about why Johnson wasn't cast. But Lindsay says she does not believe that the reason Johnson wasn't chosen is because he is black. I'm told they have a reason," Lindsay repeats, "because I was definitely up in arms when I found out it wasn't going to be him." "I do agree with Rachel, that after 24 Bachelors, a black Bachelor should have been cast.

Rachel Lindsay wants the Bachelor franchise to make a real change. Lindsay explained the thought process behind her decision, called for the Bachelor franchise to "make a statement acknowledging their systemic racism," cast leads that are interested in dating outside of their race, and diversify producers on the show, amid other suggestions. I knew that I wanted to be a trailblazer in this franchise to diversify the lead role, to diversify the contestants trying out and casted for the show, and to diversify the audience watching this show. (The Bachelor has only featured two non-white leads: 2014's Bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis is Venezuelan and 2020's Bachelor Peter Weber is half-Cuban.) RELATED CONTENT:Inside 'The Bachelor's Quest for Diversity in the Franchise (Exclusive)Rachel Lindsay Says Lack of Black 'Bachelor' Is 'Embarrassing'Hannah Brown and Rachel Lindsay Planned to Discuss N-Word Controversy Live Together, Source Says

In its 18-year history, the Bachelor franchise has only ever featured one black lead. During that time they've cast 40 season leads, yet only one Black lead," reads the petition. "Why has there never been a black Bachelor? The petition comes as Lindsay, the franchise's first and only black lead, spoke out about the lack of diversity in Bachelor Nation, saying she'd cut ties with the franchise if things don't change. RELATED CONTENT:Rachel Lindsay Calls for 'Bachelor' to Acknowledge Systemic RacismRachel Lindsay Says Lack of Black 'Bachelor' Is 'Embarrassing'Hannah Brown and Rachel Lindsay Planned to Discuss N-Word Controversy Live Together, Source Says

Rachel Lindsay wants to see real change in theBachelorfranchise -- starting with a black Bachelor. "I think that they have to, at this point, give us a black Bachelor for season 25. Fans were hopeful that they'd see the first-ever black Bachelor in season 24, with Mike Johnson, though Peter Weber was cast in the role. "For the first time, I was very confident that we were going to see our first black Bachelor. The Bachelor franchise has "no quota" for diversity, Hilton said.

The former Bachelorette is back on social media after her controversial apology for saying the N-word. "I don't want to be an ignorant white girl who uses the N-word," Brown expressed. Instagram StoryBrown made headlines after singing the slur in DaBaby's "Rockstar" on Instagram Live on Saturday. The attorney slammed Brown's apology, sharing that she had contacted Brown, and wanted her to address her use of the N-word on camera. RELATED CONTENT:Hannah Brown and Rachel Lindsay Planned to Discuss N-Word Controversy Live Together, Source SaysTyler Cameron Reacts to Rachel Lindsay Condemning Hannah Brown's Use of the N-WordRachel Lindsay Slams Hannah Brown's Apology After Using the N-Word, Says She Reached Out to Her