Have you noticed that former "Bachelor" stars go on "Dancing With The Stars" more frequently than former "Bachelorette" stars? You might not have noticed, but former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe has noticed and has spoken out about it. She has also challenged the "Bachelor" franchise creator Mike Fleiss about the snub.
Bristowe's claim
As soon as the announcement was made that Nick Viall was competing on "Dancing with the Stars," Bristowe who starred on Season 11 of "The Bachelorette" and "The Bachelor" star Whitney Bischoff from Season 19 went on Tweeter and complained that the dance competition show doesn't cast enough bachelorettes.
In fact, Bristowe claimed she had been set to appear on the dancing show after her "Bachelorette" season, but Fleiss wouldn't let her. The 31-year-old former Bachelorette told "Entertainment Tonight" on March 1 that she believes men and women should be given the same opportunities to become contestants on "Dancing with the Stars."
Producers' explanation
Fleiss spoke to "The Hollywood Reporter on Friday, March 17 about Bristowe's claim. He pointed out that "The Bachelor" Season 13's Melissa Rycroft was "Dancing with the Stars" Season 15 winner in 2012. "The Bachelorette" Season 1 star Trista Sutter was also on the dancing show's first season.
Executive producer Ashley Edens said that there's no rhyme or reason why certain "Bachelor" franchise alums get picked, and others don't.
She added that in some seasons, it works out, and some seasons, it doesn't. Edens further explained that choosing someone from the franchise is based on when both shows are casting and if there is a slot on the dance show.
Bachelors and Bachelorettes on 'DWTS.'
As has been pointed out, over the years Sutter is the only bachelorette who has competed on both shows.
Nick Viall makes the fourth Bachelor alum. The other three were Chris Soules, Sean Lowe, and Jake Pavelka. None of them became winners.
Nick Viall came right off of "The Bachelor" and went straight to the ballroom to compete on Season 24. "The Bachelor" ended on March 13, and one week later "Dancing with the Stars" airs in the same timeslot. The timing seems to have been right. Viall, 36, is partnered with two-time winner Peta Murgatroyd when "Dancing with the Stars" returns on ABC Monday, March 20, at 8 p.m.
