Matt James chooses Rachael Kirkconnell in final

• Matt James chose Rachael Kirkconnell in “The Bachelor” finale on Monday night.
• Kirkconnell was at the center of the franchise’s off-screen drama throughout the season.
• Photos emerged of Kirkconnell at a plantation-themed party, which James called “incredibly disappointing.”
• Visit the Insider home page for more stories.

Matt James’ historic but controversial season of “The Bachelor” is finally over.

Rachael Kirkconnell – the contestant who was at the center of the show’s off-screen drama – was chosen as the James Laureate. James, the first Black “Bachelor” lead in the franchise’s 19-year history, gave Kirkconnell his last rose in Monday night’s episode.

Although he didn’t actually propose, James told Kirkconnell in the final episode, “I see you as my wife. I see you as the mother of my children.”

While James’ strong feelings for Kirkconnell were clear throughout the season, the months since filming have brought many complications after photos of her at a plantation-themed party were released. posted on social networks.

Rumors about Rachael Kirkconnell started swirling almost immediately after James’ season started

Craig Sjodin / ABC via Getty Images

The 24-year-old Georgian graphic designer, described as a “sweetheart of the south” in her official “Bachelor” biography, made headlines when a TikTok user accused Kirkconnell of intimidating her for dating black men. Another TikTok user also accused her of liking racist photos.

On February 2, James released a statement defending Kirkconnell, leading many to believe she would make it to the Finals.

“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 told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “Rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people’s lives. So I would give people the benefit of the doubt, and I hope she has time to talk about this.”

—Rose (@ TeaAndRoses21) February 4, 2021

But just a day later, photos emerged of Kirkconnell at a plantation-themed frat party in 2018. Photos showed Kirkconnell wearing an antebellum-style plantation dress at an “Old South” party held. by Kappa Alpha while a student at Georgia College & Milledgeville State University.

Chris Harrison then gave a controversial interview, defending Kirkconnell to former ‘Bachelorette’ star Rachel Lindsay

Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images

Harrison was among Kirkconnell’s loudest defenders, saying the “police awake” were there to pick her up during a 13-minute interview with Rachel Lindsay on Extra.

“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,” a- he added. “We are not looking under the same lens.”

After many backlashes, including a petition on Change.org, Harrison apologized the next day, saying he realized he had “caused harm by speaking falsely in a way that perpetuates the racism”.

Kirkconnell followed suit, ultimately issuing his own statement to address the ongoing controversy.

“At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them,” Kirkconnell wrote in her apology, which she posted on Instagram. “My age or when it happened is no excuse. They are not OK or acceptable in any way. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.”

But the damage to Harrison’s interview was done.

That same week, more than 30 contestants for James’ season of “The Bachelor” posted a joint statement on their Instagram accounts condemning his comments and pleading for a change to the franchise.

On February 13, Harrison announced he was taking a step back from the ‘Bachelor’ franchise

Craig Sjodin via Getty Images

Shortly after his interview went viral, Harrison apologized and later announced that he was taking a step back from the franchise.

“This historic season of ‘The Bachelor’ should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions,” he added, revealing that he would not be joining the “After the Final Rose” special. at the end of James’ season and pledged to “be educated to a deeper and more productive level than ever”.

On February 22, James released another statement, calling Kirkconnell’s photos and Harrison’s interview “incredibly disappointing.” The “Bachelor” star said recent events had been “devastating and heartbreaking.”

A post shared by Matt James (@ mattjames919)

ABC announced that Harrison would not be hosting ‘The Bachelorette’, replaced by former frontrunners instead

Harrison’s future in the “Bachelor” franchise remains uncertain.

Monday night’s “After the Final Rose” special was hosted by Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL football player who wrote the New York Times bestselling “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man”.

ABC also announced Friday that former “Bachelorette” stars Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will host the next season of “The Bachelorette” instead of Harrison.

Adams revealed in an Instagram story that she spoke with Harrison, who she said was “so sweet and congratulated me on being a part of next season.”