I can’t be the only one whose eyes practically rolled out of her head after hearing Nick Viall will appear on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars. In fact, I know I’m not because former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe has thoughts, too.
After seeing the announcement, Chris Soules’ ex-fiancé Whitney Bischoff tweeted, “Why does a bachelorette never get this gig @BachelorABC?!? I wanted to see @kaitlynbristowe shake her tail feather!”
In response, Kaitlyn shared that Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss wouldn’t allow her to compete on DWTS because “he didn’t want people wanting fame after his show.” That’s laughable.
Actually I was offered it, had the contract & Mike Fliess told me I wasn’t allowed.He said he didnt want people wanting fame after his show https://t.co/nSzricohi4
— Kaitlyn Bristowe (@kaitlynbristowe) February 27, 2017
The controversy of course blew up from there, leading Fleiss to tweet this (definitely faux) message of support to Kaitlyn.
@kaitlynbristowe has my total support if she wants to appear on DWTS!!! #TheBachelor
— Mike Fleiss (@fleissmeister) February 28, 2017
To which she had the perfect snarky clapback.
Thanks I’ll get right on that opportunity 2 yrs ago. I wonder what changed your mind? https://t.co/8QMr8XHsIO
— Kaitlyn Bristowe (@kaitlynbristowe) March 1, 2017
Following the war of words on Twitter, Kaitlyn is speaking out about the franchise’s double standard when it comes to Bachelors vs. Bachelorettes. “I believe men and women should be afforded the same opportunities,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “That has not been the case with the Bachelorettes and the Bachelors. I had an offer to do Dancing With the Stars and was told by [Bachelor creator] Mike [Fleiss] I could not. I was told by Mike that it is bad for his brand, and that he is sick of people wanting fame from his show.”
She continued, “I am a dancer and wanted to do it. [My fiancé] Shawn [Booth] wanted me to as well. He even wrote Mike emails. I told Mike it was my passion. I was told Shawn should be my only passion.”
Then, Kaitlyn made her objective for slamming Fleiss abundantly clear. “My hope in speaking out is that future Bachelorettes are given the same opportunity as Bachelors. Whether it be a wedding, to dance, or another show. (Ben [Higgins] had the decision to do dancing or his own show.) Just to be treated the same, to choose whatever will make them happy.”
Longtime fans of the franchise know that they’ve long treated Bachelors differently than Bachelorettes, though it often goes under the radar. (Des and Chris not getting a televised wedding, anyone?) I’m sure Fleiss hates to have his dirty little secrets exposed, so perhaps this will ruffle his feathers enough to make a change.