'It is incredibly white': Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia ADMITS the show's cast lacks diversity and doesn't truly reflect the country
Australian Survivor has long been criticised for its lack of diversity.
And the show's own host Jonathan LaPaglia has now made the surprisingly candid admission that Australian Survivor's 'whitewashed' casting decisions are a real problem.
Speaking to ABC's Stop Everything on Friday, the 49-year-old said: 'We could beat around the bush, but it is incredibly white, right?'
'It is incredibly white': Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia, 49, (pictured) has admitted the show is lacking in diversity and doesn't truly reflect the country
'I mean it is, and that's not how I see the world, that's not how I see Australia,' Jonathan said.
Share this article
Unlike the show's American host Jeff Probst, who is also the executive producer of the US version, Jonathan said he is not involved in the casting process.
Jonathan said that although he has asked producers about the possibility of a more diverse cast, he 'never really got a satisfactory answer'.
Everything all white? Jonathan said he was told by producers that not many Australians from ethnic minorities apply for the show, resulting in a majority Caucasian group
Short-lived diversity: This year's season of Australian Survivor featured Olympic champion and former senator Nova Peris, who is of Aboriginal descent. She was eliminated on Day 10
'Basically I'm told (by producers) that there aren't that many people from minority cultures that apply, and whether that's true or not, I don't know,' he said.
'The producers probably want to stab me right now but… to disagree would be disingenuous right? I mean, it's hard to deny the obvious, it does feel very whitewashed, yes.'
This year's season of Australian Survivor featured Olympic champion and former senator Nova Peris, who is of Aboriginal descent, and Sydney digital marketing manager Laura Choong.
Reality: 'I mean, it's hard to deny the obvious, it does feel very whitewashed, yes,' said Jonathan. Pictured in the foreground is contestant Laura Choong, who was eliminated on day five
However, Laura was eliminated on day five while Nova was voted out on day 10, leaving behind an overwhelmingly Caucasian cast.
Ever since it's first season, the reboot of Australian Survivor has been criticised for it's lack of diversity.
The show has had some ethnic success stories such as season two winner Jericho Malabonga, who has Filipino heritage.
Meanwhile, a Network 10 spokeswoman told News.com.au that they take their 'commitment to diversity seriously'.
'Eligible contestants on all Network 10 shows are considered regardless of race or background. Network 10 takes its commitment to diversity seriously and we cast as broadly as possible across our entire slate,' she said.
Throwback! Ever since it's first season, the rebooted Australian Survivor has been criticised for it's lack of diversity. Pictured are season one contestants
