Chris Harrison, the longtime host of the “Bachelor” franchise, is facing an increasing reaction online after he appeared to defend a competitor who was accused of racist acts. Rachel Lindsay, a franchisee the first female black lead and one of the show’s strongest advocates for racial justice, said Friday he will not renew his franchise deal following Harrison’s comments.
The controversy began after photos appeared about Rachael Kirkconnell, a contestant in this season of “Bachelor”, who participated in a party with a pre-war theme in 2018.
Here is a breakdown of how it went:
Harrison’s interview with Rachel Lindsay
Lindsay asked Harrison about Kirkconnell’s photos during an interview Tuesday. Kirkconnell’s season features Matt James as Bachelor, marking the first time the franchise has chosen a black man for the role.
“We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion,” Harrison told Lindsay. “Because I’ve seen a few things online – this judge, I swear, the executioner’s work – in which people simply tear up this girl’s life and sink into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting register. It’s incredibly alarming. “I don’t have it. I haven’t heard Rachael talk about it yet. And until I actually hear this woman has a chance to talk, who am I to say something?”
“Well, the picture was from 2018 at a pre-war party in the Old South,” Lindsay replied. – Not a good look.
“Is it looking good in 2018 or is it not looking good in 2021?” Harrison asked.
“It’s never a good thing,” Lindsay said, adding, “If I went to that party, what would I represent at that party?”
“You’re 100% right in 2021. That wasn’t the case in 2018,” Harrison said, estimating that “50 million people did that in 2018.”
“This was a kind of party,” he said, adding that he “does not defend it.”
Harrison and Kirkconnell apologize
After facing reactions to his comments, Harrison posted an apology on social media on Wednesday.
“For my Bachelor Nation family – I will always make a mistake when I do, so I’m here to apologize sincerely,” he said. “I have this incredible platform to talk about love and yesterday I took a position on topics that I should have been better informed about.”
“Although I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for grace to give her the opportunity to speak on her behalf,” he continued. “What I realize now that I have done is to cause evil by speaking wrongly in a way that perpetuates racism, and that is why I am so sorry. I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not listening better to a topic she understands first hand and I humbly thank the Bachelor Nation members who contacted me to hold me accountable. I promise to do better. “
Kirkconnell also apologized on Thursday, writing on Instagram: “I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist. I am sorry for communities and individuals that my actions have hurt and offended. I am ashamed of my lack of education, but no one is responsible for educating me. “
“I deserve to be held accountable for my actions,” she added. “I will never grow up if I don’t acknowledge what I did is wrong. I don’t think a single excuse means I deserve your forgiveness, but rather I hope I can earn your forgiveness through my future actions.”
The stars of the franchise rule
Lindsay, who hosts a Bachelor Nation podcast and has made frequent cameos on the show, said she will not renew her franchise contract when it expires.
“I’m exhausted. I’ve really had enough,” Lindsay said in Friday’s episode of her “Higher Learning” podcast.
“My whole reason I did ‘The Bachelorette’ – and I was lucky to find the best way to find Bryan – is because I wanted to be a representative of a woman of color to this audience. And I wanted to pave the way for more people to have this opportunity, “Lindsay said on the podcast.
“But how long do I want to be affiliated with this? How much longer can I take things like that? I said I’d leave if they didn’t have color tracks. Okay, they did that and they hired a diversity consultant – who “Did Chris Harrison not attend? I’m confused about how you could have entire consultants working for you, yet what just happened happened.”
“I can’t take it anymore,” Lindsay said. “I’m contractually obligated in some respects. But when it’s over, so am I. I can’t do that anymore.”
James also spoke in support of Lindsay.
Matt James / Instagram
“I’m beyond grateful to have Rachel as my mentor this season,” James wrote on Instagram Story on Friday. “Your plea for the BIPOC franchisees is invaluable, I am with you and the rest of the women who advocate for change and responsibility.”
Tayshia Adams, the latest Bachelorette, said on Instagram on Friday that she was “really hurt and disappointed and confused” by the “ignorance” she saw around the race talks this week.
Adams, who is black, added that she was “really hurt” by the response to Kirkconnell’s actions, which she blatantly called racist.
A number of contestants from Adams’ season shared a common message to Instagram on Friday, “denouncing racist behavior and any defense of it.” They added that they are “united” with Lindsay.
The contestants from season 25 posted, on Thursday, a joint statement on Instagram, denouncing any “defense of racism”.
“Any defense of racist behavior denies the lived and continued experiences of BIPOC individuals,” the statement said. “These experiences must not be exploited or symbolized.”
“Rachel Lindsay continues to plead with ‘grace’ for people who identify as COPD in this franchise,” he concludes. “Just because she speaks the loudest doesn’t mean she’s alone. We sit with her, hear her and plead for change with her.”