Rachel Lindsay is speaking out after her interview with “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison, who led him to step away from the franchise.
Lindsay, who made history as the first black maiden, interviewed Harrison and asked about competitor Rachel Kirkonnell’s previous racist behavior, which included going to an “Old South” party at a plantation in 2018. Harrison ended up defending Kirkonnell in the interview , which generated reactions and ultimately led to his decision to step aside for a moment of personal reflection.
Speaking to Billy Bush at Extra on Monday, Lindsay opened up about the controversy, admitting that she believes Harrison is making the right decision by resigning.
“Chris walked away, which I think is the right decision because, as he said, he needs time to educate himself and on a deep and productive level to use his word,” explained Lindsay. “And I think he needs to understand what was done, what was wrong and what he said in that interview, and he needs time. He has moved away to do that.”
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When asked how she felt after the interview ended, she noted that she was “shocked” by Harison’s stance.
“Not because of what was said, because, as Chris mentioned in that interview, we had these conversations,” she said. “I was not shocked by the content of what he was saying … in public, where other people can hear what you think, and yours, your thoughts may be a little controversial, but I also remember thinking, ‘This is something that needs to be heard. This is something that needs to be seen. ‘And I felt a duty. “
Rachel Lindsay talked about her explosive interview with Chris Harrison from ‘The Bachelor’.
(ABC)
Specifically, Lindsay noted that he regrets not calling Harrison any further when he tried to say that the “Old South” party may have looked different when viewed through a 2021 lens instead of a 2018 lens.
“I would have liked to have said that, especially when he talked about the difference between 2018 and 2021, when he said ‘wasn’t he good looking there, or was he not … looking good in 2021?’ I wish I had said, ‘What do you mean by that? What was the difference in 2018? ‘ He kept talking about this lens, that we were looking at things in 2018 versus 2021 – I would have liked to ask him to explain it, “she said.
Harrison was quick to issue an apology for his words after the interview. He went to Instagram the next day to issue a statement admitting that he did wrong and promising to be “better informed” when speaking in the future.
“I have an incredible platform to talk about love and yesterday I took a position on topics that I should be better informed of,” he wrote. “Although I don’t speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering her an opportunity to speak on her own behalf.”
Chris Harrison faced reaction against the comments he made during a recent interview with former ‘Bachelorette’ Rachel Lindsay.
(Paul Archuleta / Getty Images)
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Despite the apology, the reaction did not subside, prompting him to issue another apology a few days later, in which he announced that he was no longer hosting the ABC franchise.
“I have spent the past few days listening to the pain my words have caused and I am deeply sorry. My ignorance has hurt my friends, colleagues and strangers. I have no one to blame but myself for what I said and how I spoke,” he wrote in a long statement shared on Instagram on Saturday.
Speaking to Bush, Lindsay noted that he is having trouble accepting Harrison’s apology because he came only after he was criticized.
Rachel Lindsay criticized Chris Harrison’s apologies before he stepped out of the ‘The Bachelor’ franchise.
(ABC)
“It is a little difficult for me, because I lived the experience … There were no excuses. The apology came after the fact. Therefore, it is difficult for me to fully accept,” she explained. “I will need the time, space and compassion he referred to to really accept the apology, because [Chris wasn’t] I’m sorry at the beginning … I’m not saying I can’t get there, it’s just, initially, it’s a little difficult for me. “
The former “Bachelorette” star barely said that the franchise should continue without Harrison forever, noting the steps he has already taken to rectify the situation. However, she noted that she is having trouble seeing a way forward for “The Bachelor” with so many people upset about Harrison.
While the star and many fans clearly agree with Harrison’s decision to take a break from his duties as a host on the show, several people do not believe that the host needs to pay more penance than he does.
“Me trying to find a tweet explaining (sic) what Chris Harrison did,” wrote a person using a GIF from The Weeknd of the Super Bowl.
“My wife and I support you Chris and we can’t wait to get you back to Bachelor’s Degree! People make mistakes, they own them, they move on! Stay strong!” a user wrote.
“I am here to show some support for Chris Harrison as a loyal single fan for a long time. The show would never be the same without him. I am so sad and angry at the reaction he received for speaking openly and honestly. Tired of canceling culture . People need to be able to speak, ” a third person wrote.
“May everyone remember that this is the same @chrisbharrison that we’ve known for the past 20 years. I still support him. #TheBachelor,” someone else added.
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Lindsay had already spoken out against the program because of its lack of diversity. In June, she said she was “excited” that Matt James was named the first black “Bachelor”, but questioned the timing of her choice, which followed national outrage over George Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020.
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Most recently, she admitted in her “Higher Education” podcast that she is planning to step away from the franchise as soon as her contractual obligations end.