Photo: Ari Perilstein / Getty Images
Chris Harrison, the host of the popular show “The Bachelor” , announced this Saturday that ” a step aside ”before the controversy that emerged this week for having defended a contestant who has a past with racist expressions .
The controversy arose in the season of Matt James, the first African American to be “The Bachelor” . The season does not take place at Malibu Mansion due to the pandemic.
Harrison posted a message on Instagram in which apologized to the African American community and other communities of color and said sorry. “By excusing historical racism, I defended it,” wrote Harrison.
“I am ashamed of how misinformed I was. I was wrong. ”
The controversy began when it was discovered that a contestant on this season of“ The Bachelor ”named Rachael Kirkconnell, who is white, has in her past a series of racist comments or “posts” on social networks . Those disclosures include photos with the Confederate flag and bullying a girl because she was dating African-American men.
Bachelor Matt James’ BIPOC Contestants Say They ‘re’ Disappointed ‘After Rachael’s Apology for Racist Actions https://t.co/O5uI9AJ7q7
– People (@people) February 11, 2021
Harrison, in a conversation with a correspondent of the program “Extra” named Rachel Lindsay, -who is African American and which was part of the show in a recent season – he dismissed criticism for Kirkconnell with a stubborn defense that disappointed fans of the super popular show.
We can leave grace and space for learning wh ile still demanding accountability. I feel like @ chrisbharrison expresses more empathy for people who romanticize the confederacy than people who are harmed by white supremacy in this clip. So disappointing. https://t.co/Lw2BabkLpb
– Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) February 10, 2020
Harrison said about the contestant’s actions: “Well Rachel, is it something you (don’t) see either on 2018 or it doesn’t look good on 2021? ”.
It is unclear if Harrison, who has a salary in millions of dollars , will return in the future to the ABC program.
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