Why did 'The Bachelor' blur the Canadian flag? Maria Georgas's arrival gift censored
"The Bachelor" Season 28 kicked off Monday night, and lead Joey Graziadei met 32 women, the biggest starting contestant pool in the show's history.
As is tradition, many women arrived at the mansion with a gimmick to give Graziadei something to remember them by.
One woman pulled up in a go-cart, another contestant beat Graziadei in a race shotgunning beers.
But one contestant's small souvenir for her potential future husband caught the internet's attention: A miniature Canadian flag that was censored.
Maria Georgas, a 29-year-old executive assistant from Ontario, stepped out of the limo with a small Canadian flag in hand to give him a piece of her home. So why was it blurred out?
More: Who is Joey Graziadei? What to know about the leading man of 'The Bachelor' Season 28
What did Canada do to the Bachelor people to deserve censorship??#TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/dLLl5PZ5UC
— Bachelor Fantake (@BachelorFantake) January 23, 2024
Why was the Canadian flag blurred out on 'The Bachelor'?
According to the Canadian government website, the National Flag of Canada is protected by trademark laws and unauthorized for commercial use.
“No person shall adopt in connection with a business, as a trade mark or otherwise, any mark consisting of, or so nearly resembling as to be likely to be mistaken for... e) the arms, crest or flag adopted" the "Trade-marks Act" reads.
Some organizations can apply to fly the Canadian flag, but ABC did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on whether or not they asked permission for this season's premiere.
Bachelor nation might remember that Canadian flags flooded the backdrop of Serena's hometown date with Matt James on "The Bachelor" Season 25, before she ended their relationship.
The Bachelor Recap for 2/22/21: The Hometown Dates
Tonight’s episode of ABC’s The Bachelor features the Hometown Dates. Rachael, Bri, Serena and Michelle will introduce Matt James to their families in hopes of impressing him and getting another rose.https://t.co/Yg3sc9F7mw pic.twitter.com/wCMDV7Fokp— Official_TVGrapevine (@tvgrapevine) February 23, 2021
3 contestants hailed from Canada
Viewers may have also noticed that there were a few people from Canada who arrived one night one.
Maria, 29, an executive assistant from Kleinburg, Ontario
Chrissa, 26, a marketing director from Abbotsford, British Columbia
Nat, 26, a nurse and professor from Sudbury, Canada
However, just two remain as Nat did not receive a rose and went home on the first night.
Did they have extra visas at abc??? Why is everyone from Canada?!? #TheBachelor #BachelorNation pic.twitter.com/AihyhOgRDo
— RealityTVBasura (@dara_a_la_mode) January 23, 2024
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Bachelor' premiere: Why was Maria's Canadian flag gift blurred?
