The Bachelor: Peter Weber on being cast over Mike Johnson

The Bachelor starring Peter Weber is premiering in just one week, and there’s already some controversy around it. Why is that? Just think in terms of his casting itself.

While we would argue that Peter probably is more generally-liked than either of the previous two Bachelors (Colton Underwood and Arie Luyendyk Jr.) were at the time of their casting, there was still some blowback. For starters, what does Peter bring that ABC hasn’t had before in terms of a pilot as the lead? We’ve done this already with Jake Pavelka … but we would argue that Peter is infinitely better than Jake was.

Peter’s big issue among some is simply that there were some other exciting candidates. Tyler Cameron was one of the most popular contenders ever at the time of his season ending, but he also had a relationship with Gigi Hadid at the time that may have contributed in him not getting the part. Mike Johnson not getting cast is more of a hot-button issue, given that he was insanely likable and would’ve been the first black male lead on the franchise.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight about his casting and the blowback among some, Peter did his best to praise Mike and Tyler while also explaining why he’s happy to have the role:

“A, I didn’t make this decision, right? I was very grateful to accept it and move forward, but listen, regardless of race, of identity or whatnot, everybody is deserving of love. And I’m not the only person … Mike would’ve been a great Bachelor. Tyler [Cameron] could have been a great Bachelor. They picked me and I’m very excited and very humbled and I can’t wait for this journey to begin.”

As Peter said, it’s hard to blame him for the decision that someone else made. Would it have been fun to see Mike in the role? Sure, but we’re hoping that he finds all the happiness in the world elsewhere. Entertainment-wise, we do know that the big selling point of this season will be the contestants rather than the lead. They often bring the drama!

Related – Read more about one of the more controversial contestants at present in Victoria Fuller

What do you want to see from Peter Weber as The Bachelor, and are you sad that Mike or Tyler wasn’t chosen? Share in the comments. (Photo: ABC.)