From breakups to makeups and every thing in between, Bachelor Nation has seen all of it — and it hasn’t all the time been fairly.
Loyal followers of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette typically put within the work to uncover secrets and techniques from contestants’ pasts as they seek for love on the ABC actuality franchise. Throughout Matt James‘ historic season, which kicked off in January 2021, frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnell sparked main controversy when viewers known as her social media historical past into query.
The graphic designer got here beneath hearth shortly after season 25 of The Bachelor premiered when one TikTok consumer accused her of being racist in highschool. Because the season continued, extra details about Kirkconnell’s previous got here to mild in separate TikTok posts and photos of her at an antebellum-themed frat occasion in 2018 resurfaced on-line. She broke her silence in a prolonged Instagram assertion in February 2021.
“Whereas there have been rumors circulating, there have additionally been truths which have come to mild that I would like to deal with. I hear you, and I’m right here to say I used to be improper,” she wrote. “At one level, I didn’t acknowledge how offensive and racist my actions had been, however that doesn’t excuse them. My age or when it occurred doesn’t excuse something. They don’t seem to be acceptable or okay in any sense. I used to be ignorant, however my ignorance was racist.”
Kirkconnell mentioned that she was “sorry to the communities and people that [her] actions harmed and offended” and blamed her ignorance on her “lack of schooling.” She additionally inspired Bachelor Nation followers to make use of her errors as a “teachable second.”
Earlier than the fact star addressed the controversy, host Chris Harrison requested viewers to have “compassion” for Kirkconnell throughout an interview with the franchise’s first Black Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay.
“I’ve seen some stuff on-line. Once more, this choose, jury, executioner factor the place persons are simply tearing this lady’s life aside … Till I really hear this lady have an opportunity to talk, who am I to say any of this … I noticed an image of her at a sorority occasion 5 years in the past that’s it,” Harrison mentioned on the time. “My guess? These ladies received dressed up and went to a celebration and had a good time, they had been 18 years previous. Now, does that make it OK? I don’t know Rachel, you inform me. Had been all of us trying by means of [that lens] in 2018?”
Harrison confronted backlash for his feedback, with followers and members of Bachelor Nation taking goal. After posting an apology on-line, the Bachelor host introduced in February 2021 that he was taking a short lived break from internet hosting Matt James‘ season. “I’ve consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and might be stepping apart for a time period and won’t be a part of for the After the Ultimate Rose particular,” the Texas native mentioned in a prolonged Instagram put up. “I’m devoted to getting educated on a extra profound and productive stage than ever earlier than.”
Kirkconnell isn’t the primary contestant to be criticized for racially insensitive habits. Hannah Brown, the season 15 Bachelorette, issued a public apology in Might 2020 when she was caught saying the N-word whereas singing alongside to DaBaby‘s “Rockstar” on Instagram Dwell.
“I don’t wish to be ignorant anymore,” Brown mentioned on the time, telling her followers to not “defend” her habits. “I don’t wish to be an ignorant white lady who makes use of the N-word. However I additionally don’t need be somebody who goes on their platform intoxicated and engages with their platform that method. … I’ve discovered that there are issues that I can’t say. … There’s a lot extra historic context that I didn’t know that makes it a lot extra inappropriate.”
The Alabama native concluded, “I’ll preserve doing no matter I can to study extra and help the answer in all this. … Lots of people hurting and lots of people offended, rightfully.”
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