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Joelle Fletcher - A regular Iranian-American girl[/caption]
It's not often that a Middle Easterner has a major feature in our reality television shows as we tend to be seen as either terrorists or even a used car salesman, or a belly dancer if we're lucky. However, the new season of 'The Bachelorette' will see Joelle Fletcher, otherwise known as JoJo, as "front and center" on the ABC reality show.
Earlier this year when JoJo was one of the contestants on 'The Bachelor, 'she was left disappointed at not winning the heart of 'The Bachelor,' Ben Higgins. But things are looking up for her, as she has been announced as the new 'Bachelorette.'
JoJo's mother is Persian, although her dad was raised in Tennessee. Having her as the star is a step forward for the show, which has often been criticized in that it lacks diversity among its contestants. With so many successful seasons, 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette' have only had one star with a diverse background, Juan Pablo Galavis, an American-born Venezuelan.
[caption id="attachment_1896" align="alignright" width="216"]
JoJo as 'The Bachelorette'[/caption]
JoJo, being the next Bachelorette, adds some "ethnic diversity to the lineup" and does a lot for our Middle Eastern community, representing us in a more positive light to international viewers. She is proud of her background, and social opinions are not as important to her as standing up to people who stereotype Iranians.
JoJo was born and raised in the US and has managed to create a life for herself between both the American and Iranian culture. In Southern California, she grew up speaking both English and Farsi, and she lives as any regular Iranian-American would live. She went to University and earned a master's degree for herself, she works and enjoys going out with friends for coffee. She likes to work out as well and reads books in her spare time. JoJo condones terrorism just as many other Americans do, and has friends of different ethnic backgrounds and religions.
She provides a much-needed example of what living between two cultures in America is like for us. She shares this type of lifestyle with many others like her across the world, whose lives seem to go unnoticed at times and through JoJo people can take a glimpse into a life such as hers.
Joelle Fletcher - A regular Iranian-American girl[/caption]
It's not often that a Middle Easterner has a major feature in our reality television shows as we tend to be seen as either terrorists or even a used car salesman, or a belly dancer if we're lucky. However, the new season of 'The Bachelorette' will see Joelle Fletcher, otherwise known as JoJo, as "front and center" on the ABC reality show.
Earlier this year when JoJo was one of the contestants on 'The Bachelor, 'she was left disappointed at not winning the heart of 'The Bachelor,' Ben Higgins. But things are looking up for her, as she has been announced as the new 'Bachelorette.'
JoJo's mother is Persian, although her dad was raised in Tennessee. Having her as the star is a step forward for the show, which has often been criticized in that it lacks diversity among its contestants. With so many successful seasons, 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette' have only had one star with a diverse background, Juan Pablo Galavis, an American-born Venezuelan.
[caption id="attachment_1896" align="alignright" width="216"] JoJo as 'The Bachelorette'[/caption]
JoJo, being the next Bachelorette, adds some "ethnic diversity to the lineup" and does a lot for our Middle Eastern community, representing us in a more positive light to international viewers. She is proud of her background, and social opinions are not as important to her as standing up to people who stereotype Iranians.
JoJo was born and raised in the US and has managed to create a life for herself between both the American and Iranian culture. In Southern California, she grew up speaking both English and Farsi, and she lives as any regular Iranian-American would live. She went to University and earned a master's degree for herself, she works and enjoys going out with friends for coffee. She likes to work out as well and reads books in her spare time. JoJo condones terrorism just as many other Americans do, and has friends of different ethnic backgrounds and religions.
She provides a much-needed example of what living between two cultures in America is like for us. She shares this type of lifestyle with many others like her across the world, whose lives seem to go unnoticed at times and through JoJo people can take a glimpse into a life such as hers.