Earlier this year, social media accusations began to turn against a winner of the current season of “The Bachelor”, who was criticized for photos that resurfaced from her past.
Competitor Rachael Kirkconnell appears to have been photographed in a Plantation-themed fraternity before the formal war in 2018, although she has not verified the authenticity of the photos. Kirkconnell was also accused on TikTok of racially insensitive behavior, including liking photos containing the Confederate flag. The reality star did not respond to any of the claims.
Amid the bubbling controversy, Matt James – the first black star of “The Bachelor” who is currently dating Kirkconnell on the television show, among other women – defended Kirkconnell in media interviews.
And then, Chris Harrison too.
During an interview that aired earlier this week on “Extra”, conducted by correspondent and former “The Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay, Harrison came out strong, speaking out against people who jump to conclusions with controversies on the networks social.
The long interview received a strong reaction against Harrison, who is being criticized by critics and fans for defending racist behavior.
Harrison apologized for his comment, posting on his social media Wednesday night.
“For my Bachelor Nation family – I will always recognize a mistake when I make one, so I’m here to sincerely apologize,” posted Harrison. “I have this incredible platform to talk about love and yesterday I took a position on topics that I should be better informed of.”
“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,” Harrison continued. “What I now realize that I did was to cause harm by saying the wrong thing in a way that perpetuates racism, and for that I deeply regret. I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not listening to her better about a subject she understood firsthand, and I humbly thank the Bachelor Nation members who came to me to take responsibility. I promise to do better. “
During the “Extra” interview, which lasted almost 15 minutes, Harrison seemed to take a firm stand on the culture of cancellation. Sometimes during the interview, Lindsay – who has been a fierce critic of diversity issues in the “The Bachelor” franchise – questioned Harrison’s comments and provided his opposite point of view, but the interview was never overly tense or heated.
“I saw a picture of her at a fraternity party five years ago and that’s it. Like, boom, ”said Harrison, regarding Kirkconnell’s photos at the plantation theme party. “I’m like, ‘Really?'”
In response to Harrison, Lindsay said, “The photo was from 2018 at a party in the Old South before the war … that’s not a good look.”
Harrison was defensive and argued, “Well, Rachel, are you looking good in 2018? Or is it not looking good in 2021? Because there is a big difference. “
“It never looks good,” said Lindsay. She added: “If I went to that party, what would I represent at it?”
“You are 100% right in 2021,” said Harrison. “It was not the case in 2018. And again, I am not defending Rachael. I only know that, I don’t know, 50 million people did it in 2018. It was a type of party that many people went to. And again, I am not advocating that. I didn’t go for that. “
Harrison also expressed sympathy for Kirkconnell and his family, saying that the controversy on social media has prompted the public to investigate his history and political views.
“People are destroying this girl’s life and diving into her and her parents’ vote record. It is incredibly alarming to watch this, ”said Harrison during the interview. “I haven’t heard Rachael talk about it yet. And until I really hear this woman has a chance to speak, who am I to say that? “
ABC did not respond to Varietyrequest for comment on Harrison’s interview.
James, the star of “The Bachelor” whose heart Kirkconnell is longing 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 end of the program, but I would say that you have to be very careful with what you’re doing on social media,” said James when asked about the allegations. “The rumors are dark and unpleasant 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 it. “
Kirkconnell is not the first contestant to generate controversy on “The Bachelor”, which has been criticized for its lack of diversity for years, but has increased efforts around the inclusive cast last season. The franchise has been in dire straits before, with people questioning competitors’ background checks as social media controversies continue to surface.
Garrett Yrigoyen, the contestant who won Becca Kufrin’s season of “The Bachelorette”, was criticized for social media posts he liked, including posts mocking Parkland high school students, liberal women, trans people and undocumented immigrants. The couple recently separated after a two-year engagement and Kufrin spoke out against his ex-fiance’s “deaf” comments.
In 2017, a series of tweets surfaced from a competitor in Lindsay’s season, who reportedly wrote: “What is the difference between NAACP and KKK? Wait for it … You feel ashamed to cover your racist faces. “
In 2020, a special episode aired when Harrison sat down with Lindsay who, alongside other black women, read aloud racist tweets that they regularly receive in an effort to illuminate anti-bullying and anti-racist efforts from the program.