The most recent “Bachelorette” leadership, Tayshia Adams, responded to Chris Harrison’s announcement that he is no longer hosting the “The Bachelor” franchise for a period of time “after his controversial interview with Extra in February.
In Thursday’s episode of Click Bait with Bachelor Nation, Adams, who is biracial and identifies himself as black and Mexican, said Harrison’s move was “a very good thing”.
This month, Harrison, 49, was criticized for defending the participation of the current competitor Rachael Kirkconnell in a party with the theme “Old South” antebellum in a plantation in 2018.
The longtime emcee apologized after intense reaction from fans and critics. Adams said his words mean a lot to her.
‘BACHELOR’ HOST CHRIS HARRISON ‘PASSING TO THE SIDE’ FOLLOWING THE RETREAT ON THE RACISM CONTROVERSY
“I think that after reading his apology, some things stuck to me, it hit my heart a little more to know that he really meant what he was saying,” she explained.
“He said, ‘By excusing historical racism, I defended it’, which is the absolute truth, and the fact that he denounced it and acknowledged it, means a lot to me,” she continued.
Tayshia Adams was the protagonist during the 16th season of ‘The Bachelorette’.
(ABC / Kwaku Alston)
“Furthermore, the fact that he said, ‘This is not just a moment, but a commitment to a much greater understanding that I will actively make every day’ also meant a lot to me, because it is not just a moment, like Black Lives Matter is not just a trending topic on Instagram – it’s something that happens every day and that we should try to actively participate in, “said Adams.
‘BACHELOR’ HOST CHRIS HARRISON APOLOGY FOR ‘SPEAKING IN A WAY THAT PERPETES RACISM’
“Your words affected a lot of people, you know, including me,” she described. “I think that he taking responsibility and not just saying an apology and then just going back to work the next day as if nothing had happened speaks volumes on his behalf.”
Chris Harrison will not attend the ‘After the Final Rose’ ceremony.
(ABC / Craig Sjodin)
Adams also said he believes in second chances and allowing someone to redeem himself. “I feel like we have to allow people to prove us wrong and prove their worth,” she said.
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The 30-year-old actress also reflected on being the second black woman in the franchise to lead the dating reality show. The first was Rachel Lindsay, who conducted the interview with Harrison at Extra.
Rachael Kirkconnell and ‘Bachelor’ take Matt James on a date.
(ABC / Craig Sjodin)
“I remember being on the show and I think I’ve said it before, but I used to get a lot of DMs from people, just even mixed-race girls in particular, saying just like, ‘I haven’t seen anyone of my race been in a role like you or on TV that I can really relate to, “” Adams said. “It means a lot to me.”
Kirkconnell also apologized for her previous actions, which she called “racist and offensive”.
RACHAEL KIRKCONNELL, ‘BACHELOR’ COMPETITOR, ASKS FOR EXCUSES FOR PAST RACIST ACTIONS
The 24-year-old, who is the pioneer of the 25th season and dating the franchise’s first black bachelor, Matt James, released the long statement on social media.
“I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist,” she wrote. “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 not the responsibility of anyone to educate me.”
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She promised “to continue to learn how to be anti-racist” and that “it is important to speak in the moment and not after being called”.