Bachelor Nation alumni call on Chris Harrison to quit ABC romance franchise for good

A number of former black Bachelor Nation shows have spoken out after host Chris Harrison said he was ‘stepping down for a while’ after making headlines for his controversial reaction to the racism of a candidate.

DeMario Jackson from season 13 and Jubilee Sharpe from season 20 were among the reality TV stars who spoke with TMZ, saying Harrison’s vacation from the show should be permanent.

“I don’t really think he should be allowed to come back, but that’s not up to me,” Jackson said. “My season has been one of the most visible dark seasons when it comes to representation by African American men and women.

He continued, “ It just sucked because, yeah, we were together but there was no one we could really relate to because it was an all white production, an all white cast, a all-white show … which is great, but it’s 2021. now.

“ If they want to go ahead and have a blacker fan base, I would say it all starts on the inside. Do you really want to have black fans or do you want to put a bandage on a gunshot wound?

Sharpe said the show’s producers seemed to pay more attention to white contestants in his day.

Season 12’s Marshana Ritchie and Season 17’s Leslie Hughes told the outlet that Harrison would need to educate himself on black history and undergo sensitivity training to regain his place on the network show. Bachelorette Season 10 star Marquel Martin and The Bachelor Robyn Jedkins told TMZ Harrison should return to work, but must refocus on understanding black issues before commenting further.

The controversy arose after Harrison, speaking with Rachel Lindsay of Extra (formerly of The Bachelorette), suggested “ a little understanding ” towards candidate Rachael Kirkconnell as they discussed her attendance at a 2018 bash – described as “ an antebellum plantation-themed ball ” – in footage that appeared on Reddit.

In the segment, Harrison initially called for “ a little understanding ” of Kirkconnell, when Lindsay said the scandal was “ not a good image ” for the candidate.

Harrison replied: ‘Is this [not] a good look in 2018? Or isn’t that a good look in 2021? Because there is a big difference.

He continued, “The awakened police are over there. And that poor girl Rachael, just thrown to the lions, I don’t know how you’re equipped when you’ve never done this before, to be awake enough, to be articulate enough, to be ready to handle this.

Harrison took to social media on Saturday with a contrite post, saying that “ in excusing historic racism, [he] defended it.

“To the black community, to the BIPOC community: I am really sorry. My words were hurtful, ”said the Texas native. “ I’m listening, and I really apologize for my ignorance and any pain this has caused you … to that end, I have consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and will step back for a while and don’t will not join for the After the Final Rose special.