The longtime host of the Bachelor The franchise is “set aside” temporarily after a train crash in an interview in which it defended the racist actions of a competitor, which included participating in a plantation-themed party in 2018.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Chris Harrison said he will not be present at the traditional live episode “After the Final Rose” at the end of this season. How long the hiatus will last and who will replace Harrison as host for “After the Final Rose” is unclear.
“The historical bachelor season should not be affected or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions,” Harrison wrote, referring to Matt James, who is the first black leader in history. the Bachelor. “I am dedicated to education at a deeper and more productive level than ever.”
In recent days, it has been discovered that current contestant Rachael Kirkconnell wore insensitive Halloween costumes and liked the offensive posts on social media – including one in which two people are positioned in front of a Confederate flag.
Harrison was questioned about Kirkconnell’s past during an Extra interview earlier this week with Rachel Lindsay, the first black leader in Kirkconnell. Bachelorette and now a media personality. He refused to condemn her actions and the event was attacked on her behalf, saying: “The awakened police are there and this poor girl Rachael has just been thrown to the lions.”
“I hear that all the time …” I think I should, I think I should. ” Who the hell are you? Who are you to ask this? He added.
Fans were upset after watching the 14-minute exchange, and the entire cast of the current season released a statement of solidarity with Lindsay following the interview. The franchise has long been accused of racism.
Kirkconnell, who is considered a leader this season, later apologized. “At one point, I did not recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that does not excuse them,” she said in a statement on Thursday. “My age or when it happened doesn’t excuse anything. They are not acceptable or good in any way. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist. “