Sending her insecurities. New Bachelorette Katie Thurston issued an apology for her LGBTQ lovers after she submitted a photo of herself kissing another girl.
“For my followers: I have removed my most recent article after realizing how many people in the LGBTQ+ [community] I hurt,” the Washington native, 30, wrote in a message submitted to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, May 11. “I am so sorry. I’ve read the comments and better understand why my post was offensive. I’ll continue to learn from my mistakes. I want to always be an ally and now I’m sorry I let you down.
The fact superstar generated controversy earlier in the day when she published the since-deleted Instagram snap that revealed her kissing Casandra Suarez, another contest from Matt James’ season of The Bachelor. The background of this photo also featured a neon sign that read,”GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS.”
Her followers immediately responded to the article together with displeasure, calling it”queer baiting.” Initially, Thurston responded by including a comment noting that the photo was a”friendship post” and not intended to be a”statement” regarding her sexuality, but she subsequently changed tack and deleted the entire post.
Thurston first made a splash during season 25 of The Bachelor when she introduced James, 29, using a vibrator during their first meeting. Though she became a fan favorite for calling out her fellow contestants for bullying, the lender advertising manager went home in week .
During the After the Final Rose special, which aired in March, she and runner-up Michelle Young were announced as another two Bachelorettes. Thurston’s season, which will broadcast first, has already completed filming.
An insider told Us Weekly final month that filming for season 17 of The Bachelorette wrapped a week early because Thurston was clear about exactly what she was looking for in a partner. “Katie was in control and made sure the guys she wanted were there along with the men she was not interested in, she sent packaging,” the source added.
The longtime host, 49, temporarily stepped down following the controversy enclosing his answer into Bachelor season 25 winner Rachael Kirkconnell’s racially charged Instagram articles.
“Tayshia and Kaitlyn can associate to Katie’s journey in a great deal of different ways, which you’ll see play out, so it was nice to have them to help out with whatever scenario came up,” the insider added of the guest hosts. “Tayshia had fun and loved doing this. She and Katilyn made a terrific team.”
The Bachelorette returns to ABC Monday, June 7, in 8 pm ET.
