We’re used to seeing some questionable (but harmless) moments on The Bachelorette, like that one time Ivan thought he was in a Step Up movie or when he blended an avocado whole like an absolute madman, but Charlie Newling casually slut-shaming Bachelorette Ali Oetjen last night, crossed the line.
At the cocktail party Newling, who’s been seen out and about with last season Bachie contestant Dasha, spoke to the other contestants about how he didn’t agree with Ali’s choice to not choose anyone for a second date yet, instead, giving those she doesn’t know a chance.
Newling told the other contestants that by choosing different men, and her decision to kiss every man she’s been on a single date with, meant that Ali was “spreading herself out”.
It got worse.
Charlie then spoke to The Bachelorette herself and openly criticised her, telling Ali she should “narrow her focus”. Should someone tell Charlie that he’s on a show about one woman dating multiple men? Because we don’t think he knows.
The moment drew a lot of criticism, and rightly so, because although Newling didn’t say the word slut outright, the implication from his conversation with Ali and the other contestants at the cocktail party was one of being openly critical of Ali kissing the men she’s been on single dates with and that by doing that somehow makes her less desirable.
The reaction from the Twitterverse was swift.
To Ali’s credit, she handled the whole exchange extremely well and gave us all a go-to line the next time a man decides to slut-shame us.
It’s time for Charlie to go.
This article originally appeared on InStyle Australia.
