‘Bachelor’ host Chris Harrison apologizes after being criticized for defending racist behavior



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Harrison spoke on behalf of Rachael Kirkconnell, who was reportedly pictured at a formal pre-war plantation fraternity in 2018.

Kirkconnell has yet to comment on the photos.

Earlier this week, Harrison told “Extra” correspondent and former “The Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay that the footage was a long time ago and spoke out against cancellation culture.

“I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago and that’s it. Like, boom,” Harrison said, adding, “I’m like, ‘Really? “”

Lindsay replied, “The photo was from 2018 at a pre-war party in the Old South. It’s not a good look.”

Harrison replied, “Well, Rachel is that a good look in 2018? Or, isn’t it a good look in 2021? Because there is a big difference.”

“It’s never a good look,” Lindsay said. “If I went to this party, what would I represent at this party?”

“You are 100% right in 2021,” Harrison said at the time. “That wasn’t the case in 2018. And again, I’m not defending Rachael. I just know, I don’t know, 50 million people made it in 2018. It was a type of party that a lot of people went to. And again, I am not defending it. I did not go. “

Harrison has since apologized for his initial defense of Kirkconnell, writing on social media:

“To my Bachelor Nation family – I’ll always own a mistake when I make one, so I’m here to sincerely apologize. Have this amazing platform for talking about love, and yesterday I took position on topics on which I should have been better informed. “

“Although I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for mercy by offering her the opportunity to speak on her own behalf,” he continued. “What I realize now is causing harm by speaking wrongly in a way that perpetuates racism, and for that I am so deeply sorry. I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not listen to her better on a subject than she has First-hand understanding and humble thanks to the members of Bachelor Nation who contacted me to hold me accountable. I promise to do better. “

He added that he wanted the public to give Kirkconnell a chance to speak on his behalf.

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