Rachel Lindsay deleted her Instagram after a bout of Bachelor Nation harassment.
Amid ongoing discussions about racism around the ABC franchise and Chris Harrison “moving away” from the show, co-host of Lindsay’s “Higher Learning” podcast, Van Lathan, announced that he has disabled his account on the social media platform on Friday.
“She did it because it is how much hate she is getting from ‘Bachelor’ fans, who are sending all kinds of rude and hateful things to say,” he said in an Instagram video.
He added: “You must have a king’s life. Seriously.”
Earlier this month, Lindsay – who was the first black Bachelorette on the hit reality show in 2017 – confronted presenter Chris Harrison about the alleged racist behavior of current competitor Rachael Kirkconnell.
“I saw a picture of her at a sisterhood party five years ago, and that’s it, boom. This girl is in this book now, and she is now in this group, and I’m like, really? “Harrison, 49, said defending Kirkconnell, 24. When Lindsay, 35, pointed out that it was a” pre-war Old South party, “Harrison replied,” It is [not] looking good in 2018 or not looking good in 2021? “
After the interview, Harrison released an apology admitting that he spoke “in a way that perpetuates racism” and soon announced that he would be leaving the show.
Lindsay said Harrison made the right decision to leave the franchise, but Lathan says the reaction pushed her out of social media.
“Rachel is not responsible for Chris Harrison, a 49-year-old man who cannot read the room 2021 times. She is not responsible for this, ”he said. “It’s not her job to make excuses or cover for someone who doesn’t understand what the hell is causing people in today’s world. It is not. You are going after the wrong person. “
“Rachel, we love you, we are with you,” he concluded.
Kirkconnell – who is currently competing in Matt James’ “The Bachelor” season – also apologized for her previous behavior and asked fans to stop defending her this week.
“If you are in my comments or defending me anywhere, telling people that I have done nothing wrong, that there is nothing to be hurt, there is nothing to be angry or offended, please stop,” he said she, adding: “This is not our place to tell people what they can or cannot offend. This is wrong. And that is part of the problem. So stop saying that I didn’t do anything wrong. This is not true.”
James, 29, also broke the silence last week, saying it was “devastating and painful” to learn about these situations.