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Earlier this year, accusations on social media began to swirl around a current-season favorite of “The Bachelor,” who came under fire for photos that resurfaced from his past.
Competitor Rachael Kirkconnell appears to have been pictured in the presence of a The plantation-themed antebellum fraternity was formal in 2018, although it did not verify the authenticity of the photos. Kirkconnell has also been accused on TikTok of race-insensitive behavior, including liking photos containing the Confederate flag. The reality TV star did not respond to any of the claims.
Amid the seething controversy, Matt James – the very first black star of “The Bachelor” who is currently dating Kirkconnell on the TV show, among other women – has defended Kirkconnell in media interviews.
And then Chris Harrison did it too.
In an interview aired earlier this week on “Extra,” conducted by correspondent and former “The Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay, Harrison came out strong, denouncing people who jump to conclusions with controversies over social networks.
The lengthy interview drew strong reactions against Harrison, who is criticized by critics and fans for advocating racist behavior.
Harrison apologized for his comment, posting on his social media Wednesday night.
“To my Bachelor Nation family – I’ll always own a mistake when I make one, so I’m here to offer a sincere apology,” Harrison said. “I have this incredible platform to talk about love, and yesterday I took a stand on topics on which I should have been better informed.
“While I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for mercy by offering her the opportunity to speak on her behalf,” Harrison continued. “What I realize now is causing harm by speaking wrongly in a way that perpetuates racism, and I am deeply sorry for that. I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not listening to her better on a topic that she has a firsthand understanding of, and I humbly thank the members of Bachelor Nation who have contacted me to hold me accountable. I promise to do better. “
During the “Extra” interview, which lasted nearly 15 minutes, Harrison appeared to take a strong stand on cancellation culture. A few times throughout the interview, Lindsay – who has been a fierce critic of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise’s diversity issues – questioned Harrison’s comments and provided her opposing perspective, but l he interview has never been too tense or heated.
“I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago and that’s it. Like, boom, ”Harrison said, regarding the photos of Kirkconnell at the plantation-themed party. “I’m like, ‘Really?'”
Responding to Harrison, Lindsay said: “The photo was from 2018 at a pre-war party in the Old South… it’s not a good look.
Harrison turned defensive and argued, “Well, is Rachel okay in 2018? Or isn’t that a good look in 2021? Because there is a big difference.
“It’s never a good look,” Lindsay said. She added, “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 did 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 also expressed sympathy for Kirkconnell and his family, saying the social media controversy had led the public to delve into his history and political views.
“People are tearing this girl’s life apart and digging into her voting record and that of her parents. It’s incredibly alarming to watch this, ”Harrison said during the interview. “I haven’t heard Rachael talk about this yet. And until I actually hear this woman get a chance to speak, who am I to say anything?
ABC did not respond to Varietyrequest for comment on Harrison’s interview.
James, the star of “The Bachelor” whose heart Kirkconnell fights for, was asked about the social media controversy in a recent interview and did not speak out against it.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone since the show ended, but I would say you have to be very careful what you do on social media,” James said when asked about the allegations. . “Rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people’s lives. So I would give people the benefit of the doubt and hope she has time to speak on this.
Kirkconnell isn’t the first contender to generate controversy over “The Bachelor,” which has been criticized for its lack of diversity for years, but has stepped up its efforts around inclusive casting over the past season. The franchise has already been in hot water with people questioning the applicant’s background check process, as social media controversies continue to arise.
Garrett Yrigoyen, the contestant who won Becca Kufrin’s season of “The Bachelorette,” has been criticized for social media posts he liked, including posts poking fun at Parkland high school students, liberal women, trans people and undocumented immigrants. The couple recently broke up after two years of engagement and Kufrin spoke out against her ex-fiancé’s “dumb” comments.
In 2017, a series of tweets surfaced from a contestant on Lindsay’s season, who reportedly wrote, “What’s the difference between the NAACP and the KKK? Wait… We feel ashamed to cover his racist faces.
In 2020, a special episode aired where Harrison sat down with Lindsay who, alongside other contestants of color, read aloud the racist tweets they receive regularly, in a bid to shed light on the the show’s anti-bullying and anti-racism efforts.
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