Rachel Lindsay deleted her Instagram after a harassment attack by Bachelor Nation.
Amid ongoing discussions about the racism surrounding the ABC franchise and Chris Harrison “moving away” from the show, co-host of Lindsay’s “Higher Learning” podcast, Van Lathan, has announced that he has disabled the account on the social platform on Friday.
“She did it because there is so much hatred from Bachelor fans who spam her with all sorts of rude and ugly things to say,” he said in a video on Instagram.
He added: “You have to get af-king life. Seriously.”
Earlier this month, Lindsay – who was the first black “Bachelorette” in the 2017 hit reality series – confronted host Chris Harrison about the alleged racist behavior of current competitor Rachael Kirkconnell in the past.
“I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago, and that’s it, boom. This girl is in this book now and she’s part of this group, and am I, really? Harrison, 49, said he was defending 24-year-old Kirkconnell. When 35-year-old Lindsay pointed out that it was a “pre-war party in the old south,” Harrison replied, “Isn’t it? [not] a good look in 2018 or not a good look in 2021? ”
Following the interview, Harrison apologized, acknowledging that he spoke “in a way that perpetuates racism” and soon announced that he would move away from the show.
Lindsay said Harrison made the right decision to leave the franchise, but Lathan says the reaction led her to give up social media.
“Rachel is not responsible for Chris Harrison, a 49-year-old man who cannot read the room in these 2021 times. She is not responsible for that, “he said. “It’s not her job to apologize or cover for someone who doesn’t understand what triggers fk people in today’s world. Is not. You go after the wrong person. “
“Rachel, we love you, we’re with you,” he concluded.
Kirkconnell – who is currently competing in Matt James’ “The Bachelor” season – apologized for his past behavior and asked fans to stop defending her this week.
“If you’re in my comments or defending me anywhere, telling people I didn’t do anything wrong, that there’s nothing to hurt, you don’t have to be upset or offended, please stop,” she said, adding “This is not our place to tell people what they can and cannot be offended about. It is wrong. And that’s part of the problem. So please don’t say I didn’t do anything wrong. Not true.”
James, 29, broke his silence last week, saying it was “devastating and heartbreaking” to learn about these situations.