Chris Harrison, the longtime host of the “Bachelor” franchise, is facing an increasing online reaction after appearing to defend a competitor who has been accused of racist acts. Rachel Lindsay, the franchise first black protagonist and one of the biggest advocates of racial justice, said on Friday that she will not renew her contract with the franchise as a result of Harrison’s comments.
The controversy began after photos of Rachael Kirkconnell, a competitor in this season of “The Bachelor”, appeared at an antebellum themed party in 2018.
Here is an analysis of how it played out:
Harrison interview with Rachel Lindsay
Lindsay asked Harrison about Kirkconnell’s photos during an interview on Tuesday. Kirkconnell’s season features Matt James as the bachelor, marking the first time the franchise has chosen a black man for the role.
“We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion,” Harrison told Lindsay. “Because I saw some things online – this judge, jury, executioner thing – where people are destroying this girl’s life and diving into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting history. It’s incredibly alarming to watch that. Not yet I heard Rachael talk about it. And until I really hear this woman get a chance to speak, who am I to say any of this? “
“Well, the photo was from 2018 at a pre-war party in the Old South,” replied Lindsay. “This is not a good look.”
“Is it looking good in 2018 or not looking good in 2021?” Harrison asked.
“It’s never a good look,” said Lindsay, adding, “If I went to that party, what would it represent?”
“You are 100% right in 2021. It was not the case in 2018,” said Harrison, estimating that “50 million people did this in 2018”.
“It was a kind of party,” he said, adding that “he is not defending him.”
Harrison and Kirkconnell apologize
After facing a negative reaction because of his comments, Harrison posted an apology on social media on Wednesday.
“For my Bachelor Nation family – I will always recognize a mistake when I make one, so I’m here to sincerely apologize,” he said. “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,” he continued. “What I now realize that I did was to cause harm by speaking incorrectly in a way that perpetuates racism, and for that I deeply regret. I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not hearing her better about a subject she has Understanding at first and I humbly thank the Bachelor Nation members who came to me to take responsibility. I promise to do better. “
Kirkconnell also apologized on Thursday, writing on Instagram: “I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist. I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions have harmed and offended. I am ashamed of my lack of education, but it is nobody’s responsibility to educate me. “
“I deserve to be held responsible for my actions,” she added. “I will never grow up unless I acknowledge that what I did is wrong. I don’t think an apology means I deserve your forgiveness, but I hope I can deserve it through my future actions.”
Franchise stars speak loudly
Lindsay, who hosts a Bachelor Nation podcast and has made cameo appearances, said she will not renew her franchise contract when it expires.
“I’m exhausted. I really had enough,” said Lindsay in the Friday episode of her podcast “Higher Learning”.
“My whole reason for doing ‘The Bachelorette’ – and I was lucky to have worked in the most beautiful way for me when I met Bryan – is that I wanted to be representative as a black woman to this audience. And I wanted to pave the way for that more people have that opportunity, “Lindsay said in the podcast.
“But how much more do I want to be affiliated with this? How much more can I handle things like this? I said I would leave if they didn’t have colored clues. Okay, they did this and made some other changes. They hired a diversity consultant – who Didn’t you attend class? Didn’t Chris Harrison attend this? I’m confused about how you could have entire consultants working for you, but what happened just happened. “
“I can’t take it anymore,” said Lindsay. “I’m contractually bound in some ways. But when it’s over, so am I. I can’t do that anymore.”
James also spoke in support of Lindsay.
Matt James / Instagram
“I’m very grateful to have Rachel mentored me this season,” wrote James in his Instagram Story on Friday. “Your defense of the BIPOC staff in the franchise is invaluable, I am with you and the rest of the women who advocate change and responsibility.”
Tayshia Adams, the latest single, said in her Instagram Story on Friday that she was “very hurt, disappointed and confused” by the “ignorance” she saw around the race talks this week.
Adams, who is black, added that she was “really hurt” by the response to Kirkconnell’s actions, which she called racist.
Several participants in Adams’ season shared a joint Instagram message on Friday, “denouncing racist behavior and any defense against it”. They added that “they are united” with Lindsay.
Season 25 participants also posted a joint statement on Instagram on Thursday, denouncing any “defense of racism”.
“Any defense of racist behavior denies the lived and continued experiences of BIPOC individuals,” says the statement. “These experiences should not be explored or symbolized.”
“Rachel Lindsay continues to ‘grace’ those individuals who identify themselves as BIPOC within this franchise,” he concludes. “Just because she is speaking louder does not mean that she is alone. We support her, listen to her and advocate for change alongside her.”