What’s up?
It’s Sussan Mourad here with Clevver News and The Bachelor host Chris Harrison just
apologized for "speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism" after a controversial
interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay.
Let’s get into it.
Fans of the Bachelor franchise know that the show has a history of lack of diversity and
inclusivity.
Before this past year, they’d only ever had one Black lead in the entire franchise
and that was Rachel Lindsay.
Last year around the time of George Floyd’s murder, the show annouced that they’d have
their first male lead, Matt James, who’s season is currently airing.
And while the show has a history of casting mostly white contestants, they also have a
poor track record when it comes to vetting the contestants' pasts before they go on the
show.
For example, in 2018, Bachelorette Becca Kufrin ended the show engaged to Garrett Yrigroen
As the show was airing, Garrett’s Instagram likes on offensive posts mocking undocumented
immigrants and trans people surfaced.
Since then he promoted Blue Lives Matter to support police officers during the Black Lives
Matter movement.
And similarly, this season, one front runner on Matt’s season Rachael Kirkconnell has
been going viral for some of her past problematic posts.
Fans on social media have been pointing out that Rachael has been known to like racist
pictures and photos of people wearing MAGA gear.
It was also uncovered that she herself participated in problematic events like an old south antebellum
plantation party.
“More on Rachael Kirkconnell it was found that she went to an old south plantation themed
ball in 2018.
Put on by Kappa Alpha, a racist fraternity that has come under fire for southern pride
events.”
Since then, neither the Bachelor franchise, nor Rachael herself have spoken out about
her controversial past.
So former Bachelorette and current Extra host Rachel Lindsay decided to ask Chris Harrison
what he thought about it.
Chris quickly came to Rachael Kirkconnell’s defense saying quote, “we need to give her
a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion.”
He said that so many fans have become the “woke police” and are tearing this girl’s
life apart before she’s been able to speak is unfair.
Rachel Lindsay pointed out that Rachael Kirkconnell has been able to speak and has chosen to remain
silent so far.
She also added that the antebellum party was “not a good look,” and Chris’ response
really upset fans.
“It’s not a good look.
When you hold it under that lens.
No it’s not a good look.
Well Rachel, is it a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021?
It’s not a good look ever because she’s celebrating the old south.
If I went to that party, what would I represent at that party?”
As many fans pointed out, Chris Harrison spoke about 2018 like it was so far in the past
that it would be unfair to look at her actions through today’s lens.
When in fact, 2018 was five years after the Black Lives Matter movement first began in
2013.
Throughout Chris’ interview with Rachel Lindsay, he continued to defend the show and
Rachael Kirkconnell and asked everyone to give her time.
Since then, many fans and Bachelor alumni have been calling out Chris Harrison on social
media.
Former contestant Taylor Nolan shared this post writing “just because YOU didn’t
think it was racism before 2020 DOES NOT mean that it wasn’t.”
Natasha Parker, who was on Peter Weber’s season, also chimed in on her IG stories.
“There’s a lot to unpack that’s being said, teachable moments guys.
We’re still having them.”
Bachelor fan and podcast host Mikayla Bartholomew posted a long IGTV video writing “to chris
harrison.
oh i had time today.”
“This course on racism did not begin in 2021.
It did not begin in 2020, 2018, 2016, 2017.
Sh*t it did not begin in 2013 when we first heard of Black Lives Matter.
It did not begin in the 60s.”
And there were tons more posts just like these from contestants and fans alike.
Shortly after the backlash started rolling in, Chris Harrison took to Instagram to apologize.
He wrote quote, “I will always own a mistake when I make one so I am here to extend a sincere
apology.
I have this incredible platform to speak about love, and yesterday I took a stance on topics
about which I should have been better informed.”
Chris continued on saying that he wasn’t trying to speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, but
just trying to ask for fans to wait to hear from her herself.
He said he realizes now that he has “caused harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that
perpetuates racism” and that he’s “so deeply sorry.”
Chris also apologized to Rachel Lindsay for not listening to her better during the interview
because it’s quote, “a topic that she has a first-hand understanding of.”
He ended his note by thanking those who are holding him accountable and promising to do
better.
But despite his apology, fans have put together petitions to remove Chris from the show.
This one already has over 20,000 out of the 25,000 signature goal in less than 24 hours.
ABC and The Bachelor franchise still have not spoken out about any of this, neither
has Rachel Kirkconnell.
Rachel Lindsay did respond to a fan though about all of this saying that “her days
are numbered” with the franchise.
She’s been very outspoken about the ways in which the Bachelor franchise needs to improve
in order for her to continue to associate with it.
And some fans are even calling for Rachel Lindsay to replace Chris as the host of the
show.
It will be interesting to see if ABC, The Bachelor, Rachael Kirkconnell, or even the
Bachelor himself Matt James speaks out on this.
We will keep you guys posted if we hear anything.
For now, if you want more Bachelor news, click right over here for another Clevver News video.
Also, let us know down in the comments what you think of Chris Harrison’s interview
comments and apology post.
I’m your host Sussan Mourad, you can find me on Instagram @Sussan_Mourad, bye guys!