'Bachelor in Paradise' alum Tessa Tookes opens up about 'shocking discrimination' over her skin tone
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former 'Bachelor in Paradise' participant Tessa Tookes is recounting a recent incident where she faced discrimination while shopping.
The 28-year-old was browsing through her Instagram in pursuit of the perfect wedding dress. After discovering a boutique, she traveled to Ontario to try it on, only to encounter a forgettable and discriminatory experience, according to DailyMail.
View this post on Instagram
$200 extra for a darker nude underlay left Tessa feeling isolated
During her appearance on the 'Good Morning America' show, she expressed, "It truly felt like that 'Say Yes to the Dress' moment I was looking for."
However, the conversation took an unexpected turn. Much to Tessa's shock, an assistant informed her that she would have to pay an additional $200 for a darker nude underlay to match her skin color.
“The sales assistant told me, 'For brown cups that will be more,'" she recalled.
View this post on Instagram
The dress had built-in-beige cups that came with the dress and was free with the design.
“I just received the information in silence and defaulted to being uncomfortable,” she stated.
She also pointed out that she was the sole person of color in the store at that moment. The experience instantly transported her back to her childhood when she had to dye and modify clothing, such as ballet shoes, to match her skin tone.
“I'm standing there feeling so like, isolated. I had to make this choice at the moment to either say, 'Cool, I'll take the extra charge.' or kind of pivot in a different direction - which is what I did.”
“I was not acutely aware of my blackness until [that moment]. It was incredibly isolating, and I felt very othered,” Tessa recalled.
View this post on Instagram
Fiance Joey expresses his anguish
Tessa, who is set to tie the knot later this year, is engaged to her fiance Joey, who was also a participant in season two of 'Bachelor in Paradise: Canada' in 2023.
Joey also shared his reaction on social media without specifically mentioning the bridal boutique.
“Wedding dress designers of TikTok and Instagram, we got a problem,” he said.''
View this post on Instagram
“My beautiful, gorgeous, strong, confident future bride Tessa went to buy a wedding gown. The wedding dress experience was meant to be 'one of the most magical days of her life,' but she was told it was more for a darker undergarment,” he added.
“Are you fist f***ing me,” he expressed his disbelief.
More from MEAWW
'GMA' host Michael Strahan announces new role as granddad after daughter Tanita welcomes baby boy
Carrie Underwood reveals what kind of judge she’ll be on ‘American Idol’ as she replaces Katy Perry
