During the discussion, the prior Bachelorette, 35, recapped the series together with Harrison, 49, before requesting the host that which his ideas were on Rachael Kirkconnell. The current Bachelor contestant — who left it to Matt James’ final four to the Monday, February 15, episode — is under fire for”enjoying” racially charged Instagram articles and for attending an Old South party in 2018.
At the period of the Extra interview, Kirkconnell, 24, had not apologized for her previous actions — something Lindsay voiced her concern about to the producer.
“We all must have a little grace, a little understanding, a little empathy. Since I have seen some things online — this particular judge, jury, executioner matter where people are only ripping this woman’s life apart and plunging into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting record,” Harrison said at the time. “I have not heard Rachael talk on this however. Until I really hear that this woman have a opportunity to speak, who am I to say any of this?”
When Lindsay noticed that Kirkconnell had six weeks to talk out, Harrison seemed to continue to defend her. “Who’s Rachel Lindsay and who is Chris Harrison and who is whatever awakened authorities individual out there, who are you [to tell her to speak out]?” he asked. “I’ve heard this a lot of,’I believe she should,”I think he should.’ Who would you know that you need that?”
The interview was followed with a great amount of backlash by both fans of the franchise and Bachelor Country members alike. Lindsay, for her part, has spoken out several times because the interview, showing that she wishes to step away from the franchise.
“Chris loves to keep saying,’We’ve had these conversations, therefore, I am gonna go right ahead and use that. Since we have had these conversations.’ [I] was not shocked at what he said. I’m only shocked [that] he said it on camera,” she said on her”Higher Learning” podcast three times after the Extra interview. “Up to mepersonally, I’m f–king tired. I am exhausted. I’ve truly had enough. … Just how much more do I need to be connected with this? How much more can I take of matters like this? I stated I was gonna depart if they didn’t have leads of color. OK, they did that, and they made any changes. They hired a diversity adviser — who didn’t attend the course? I’m confused as to how you might have entire advisers working for you, however what happened just happened… I can not take it anymore. I’m contractually bound in some ways. But when it’s up, I am too. I can’t do it anymore.”
Scroll through the gallery below for a full timeline — from the Extra interview and Kirkconnell’s apology to Harrison choosing to take a Rest from the franchise.
The Interview
On February 9, Lindsay requested Harrison his thoughts Kirkconnell’s racially charged photographs through an appearance on Extra. “I saw a photo of her in a sorority party five decades back, that is it,” he said at the time. “My guess? These girls got dressed up and went to a party and had a terrific time, they were 18 years old. Now, does this make it OK? I really don’t know Rachel, you inform me. Where is this lens were holding up and was the lens accessible and were we all looking through it in 2018? I really don’t know.”
When Lindsay said it’s”not a fantastic appearance,” the host responded,”Can it be [not] a fantastic look in 2018 or is it not a good appearance in 2021? … I am not defending Rachael, I just know that 50 million people did this in 2018.”
Chris Apologizes
On February 10, after backlash from fans and Bachelor Nation, Harrison released an apology via Instagram. “To my Bachelor Nation family — I will always have a mistake when I make one, so I’m here in order to extend a sincere apology. I’ve got this incredible platform to speak about love, and I took a stance on topics about which I must have been informed. While I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my goals were simply to ask for elegance in offering her an opportunity to speak on her behalf,” the Perfect Letter author composed. “What I realize I have done is cause injury by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism, and therefore I’m so deeply sorry.”
He also apologized to Lindsay for”not listening to her better on a subject she’s firsthand understanding of, and humbly thank the members of Bachelor Nation who’ve reached me out to hold me accountable.
Rachael Apologizes
The following day, Kirkconnell apologized via Instagram. “At one stage, I did not recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them. My age or when it occurred doesn’t excuse anything. They are not acceptable or okay in any way. “I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my activities harmed and offended. I’m ashamed about my lack of schooling, but it is no one’s responsibility to educate me.”
Rachel Shares BTS Details
On February 12, Lindsay and cohost Van Lathan broke down the meeting and Harrison’s apology on their”Higher Learning” podcast. During the interview, the Dallas native explained that there wasn’t any publicist on the phone and Harrison originally joined to only go over the episode. “I then asked a question [because] something that he said made me a little harder,” she remembered. “So, I phrased the question,’What are your ideas about the allegations against Rachael?’ And he then went off.”
Lindsay explained that Harrison”talked over me and at me” and did not let her discuss her thoughts on the situation. “He was not trying to hear it. He was only trying to be noticed. And that is because I felt as though he had an agenda he was trying to push. He was really trying to push that forward,” she said. “He voiced everything that he said, with passion and conviction.”
The”Bachelor Happy Hour” cohost added that then, Harrison”had no issues” with their assignment. “He had been fine. He texted me he appreciated the conversation. He was like,’Yeah, I will probably get a little flack, but I thought it was great we could disagree, but do it in a civil manner,”’ she said. “It wasn’t until the backlash arrived the next day. It was not until people start speaking, people begin calling and requiring for various things that he does this. Then he apologized to me and then apologized publicly. … For me personally, I am trying to conclude,’Well, which is it?’ Because to me, Tuesday was your fact. Wednesday was a response to the backlash throughout that whole conversation.”
James, 29, also reacted to Lindsay’s interview, posting via his Instagram Story on February 12,”I am beyond grateful to have Rachel as a mentor in this season. Your advocacy of all BIPOC individuals in the franchise is invaluable, I stand with you and the remaining girls advocating for change and responsibility.”
Chris Steps Apart
On February 13, Harrison spoke out again through Instagram, this time showing he was taking time away in the franchise. “I’ve spent the past couple of days listening to this pain that my words have caused, and I am deeply remorseful. My ignorance did harm to friends, colleagues and strangers alike. I have no one to blame but myself for what I said ad the way I talked. I believe that with every fiber of my being. Now, just as I instructed my children to stand up, and to have their actions, I’ll do the same,” he wrote. I invoked the word’awakened authorities,’ which is unacceptable. I was so wrong.”
He then demonstrated he will”be stepping aside for a time period and won’t join for the After the Final Rose special.”
Rachel Reacts into Chris’ Exit
“It wasn’t my aim to see Chris Harrison step apart but it was my intention for others to see and listen to this interview,” the prior attorney said on Extra on February 15. It is kind of hard to say. Chris has resigned, which I think is the right choice because, like he said, he needs to take time to become educated and on a deep and productive degree to use his words. And I think he wants to know what was completed, what was wrong and exactly what he said in that interview, and he needs time. He’s resigned to do this. As a franchise, though, where do you go from here?”
