The Bachelor viewers have accused Zoe-Clare McDonald of ‘using the discrimination card’ against one of the few women of colour on the show, Areeba Emmanuel.
On Wednesday’s episode, a tearful Zoe-Clare said she was being unfairly targeted because of her red hair by 25-year-old Areeba, who is of Pakistani descent.
However, fans of the show blasted the ‘privileged’ sales manager for ‘complaining to a person of colour about being oppressed for having red hair’.
‘Tone-deaf!’ Bachelor fans have accused Zoe-Clare McDonald (left) of ‘using the discrimination card’ against one of the few women of colour on the show, Areeba Emmanuel (right)
Zoe-Clare’s meltdown began when Areeba interrupted her conversation with Locklan ‘Locky’ Gilbert at the first cocktail party.
After blasting Areeba for her ‘inappropriate’ actions, she told producers she was being mistreated because of the colour of her hair.
Viewers were not exactly impressed, with one tweeting: ‘Zoe-Clare complaining to one of the only POC in the house about being oppressed for having red hair is just… so… incredibly tone-deaf.’
Another added: ‘Imagine thinking the token POC in the house is attacking you because you’re the minority redhead.’
Oppressed minority? On Wednesday’s episode, a tearful Zoe-Clare said she was being unfairly targeted because of her red hair by 25-year-old Areeba, who is of Pakistani descent
‘You’re oppressed as a token redhead?’ Fans of the show blasted ‘privileged’ Zoe-Clare for ‘complaining to a person of colour about being oppressed for having red hair’
Someone else wrote: ‘Is she actually trying to play the discrimination card to the only POC on the show? Okay then.’
Another added: ‘When the whitest girl in the pack is trying to use the discrimination card when she was interrupted by a person of colour.’
A similar tweet read: ‘Zoe, a white girl, is claiming discrimination for being a redhead against Areeba, a POC. Is this what privilege looks like? I’m so confused?’
Fuming: Zoe-Clare’s meltdown began when Areeba interrupted her date with Locklan ‘Locky’ Gilbert during the premiere episode
‘Zoe getting fired up about the mistreatment of red-heads for the colour of their hair. Where’s that energy for POC who face discrimination for the colour of their skin?’
Meanwhile, Areeba appeared wholly unfazed by the dramatic confrontation as she chowed down on a sandwich while the fiery redhead continued screaming at her.
Her ‘savage’ blink and you’ll miss it moment was praised by tickled viewers – who commended her for keeping her composure during the shocking showdown.
Zoe-Clare went into a rage after the Pakistani beauty interrupted her discussion with Locky.
Just wants to eat: Areeba appeared wholly unfazed by the dramatic confrontation as she chowed down on a sandwich while the fiery redhead continued screaming at her
Rattled by Areeba’s actions, Zoe-Clare couldn’t resist giving her a piece of her mind during the cocktail party, saying: ‘I just want to say what you did was really inappropriate, and it was not okay!’
Despite Zoe-Clare labelling her a ‘mole’, a giggling Areeba thanked her for her ‘feedback’ and continued enjoying her sandwich.
The moment had viewers rolling over in laughter, with one tweeting: ‘Areeba having a sandwich while Zoe Clare talks is a massive vibe.’
‘Let me girl eat!’ Areeba’s ‘savage’ blink and you’ll miss it moment was praised by tickled viewers – who commended her for keeping her composure during the shocking showdown
Another added: ‘Queen Areeba just sitting there laughing and eating her sandwich #TheBachelorAU.’
Someone else echoed: ‘Zoe-clare you did NOT just make Areeba put away her sandwich, let my girl EAT #TheBachelorAU.’
Viewers continued to watch on as Zoe came to the conclusion that the other women didn’t like her because of her hair colour.
Not happy: Zoe-Clare went into a rage after the Pakistani beauty interrupted her discussion with Locky
‘What you did was inappropriate’: Rattled by Areeba’s actions, Zoe-Clare couldn’t resist giving her a piece of her mind during the cocktail party
Other priorities: Despite Zoe-Clare labelling her a ‘mole’, a giggling Areeba thanked her for her ‘feedback’ and continued enjoying her sandwich
She vented: ‘I’m the only redhead in the whole entire house… The only colours are blonde or brunette, and then there’s me. I think that’s exactly why Areeba is targeting me. It’s the red hair. It’s just…it’s not appropriate.
‘What’s wrong with a ranga? Yeah. Do you want me to dye my hair every 10 seconds because you don’t like my colour? I’m so sorry, but this is natural, guys. It’s not going anywhere.’
Her tearful monologue confused many viewers because nobody had mentioned the colour of her hair.
Later in the episode, Zoe-Clare became ‘ill’ and was forced to skip the inaugural rose ceremony.
Oh no: Later in the episode, Zoe-Clare became ‘ill’ and was forced to skip the inaugural rose ceremony