Rachel Lindsay is speaking after her interview with Chris Harrison, a host-host, which led to him stepping away from the franchise.
Lindsay, who made history as the first Black Bachelorette, interviewed Harrison and asked about contestant Rachel Kirkonnell’s previous racist behavior, which involved attending an “Old South”-themed party at a plantation in 2018. and eventually led to his decision to step aside for a time of personal reflection.
Lindsay spoke to Billy Bush, Extra, yesterday about the controversy, conceding that she believes Harrison is making the right decision by retiring.
“Chris has stepped aside, which I think is the right decision, because like he said, he needs to take time to be educated and use his word on a deep and productive level,” Lindsay explained. ‘And I think he needs to understand what was done, what was wrong and what he said in the interview, and he needs time. He walked away to do it. ‘
‘BACHELOR’ CONSTESTANT RACHAEL KIRKCONNELL APOLOGY FOR PAST RACIST ACTIONS
When asked how she feels after the interview, she notes that she is ‘amazed’ at Harison’s attitude.
“Not at what was said, because as Chris referred to in that interview, we had these conversations,” she said. ‘I was not shocked by the content of what he said … in public, where other people can hear what you think, and you, your mind may be a little controversial, but I also remember thinking : ‘This is something that needs to be heard. This is something to be seen. “And I felt a duty. ‘
Rachel Lindsay spoke to her about her explosive interview with Chris Harrison of ‘The Bachelor’.
(ABC)
Specifically, Lindsay noted that she regrets not calling out Harrison further when he tried to say that the “Old South” party might have looked different if he had been seen through a 2021 lens rather than a 2018 lens. .
‘I wish I would have said, especially when he was talking about the difference between 2018 and 2021, when he said,’ was it not good there, or was it not … a good look in 2021? “I wish I had said, ‘What do you mean by that?’ What was the difference in 2018? ‘ He kept talking about this lens, that we looked at things after 2018 versus 2021.
Harrison quickly apologized for his words after the interview. He went to Instagram the next day to issue a statement in which he admitted that he had done wrong and promised to be ‘better informed’ when he speaks in the future.
“I have this amazing platform to talk about love, and yesterday I took a stand on topics I should have been better informed about,” he wrote. “Although I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intention was merely to ask for mercy to give her the opportunity to speak on her behalf.”
Chris Harrison slammed back on comments he made during a recent interview with former ‘Bachelorette’ Rachel Lindsay.
(Paul Archuleta / Getty Images)
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Despite the apology, the setback did not subside, prompting him to issue another apology days later in which he announced he would step down as host of the ABC franchise.
“I have been listening for the last few days to the pain my words have caused, and I am very sorry. My ignorance has harmed my friends, colleagues and strangers. I have no one else to blame myself for what I said and the way I spoke, ‘he wrote in a lengthy statement shared on Instagram on Saturday.
In a conversation with Bush, Lindsay noted that she was having trouble accepting Harrison’s apology, as it only came after he received criticism.
Rachel Lindsay criticized Chris Harrison’s apology before walking away from The Bachelor franchise.
(ABC)
“It’s a little difficult for me because I lived the experience … There was no excuse. The excuse comes after the fact. So it’s hard for me to fully accept it,” she explained. ‘I need that time and space and compassion he referred to to really accept the apology, because [Chris wasn’t] initially apologetic … I’m not saying I can not get there, it’s just a little difficult for me at first. ‘
The former “Bachelorette” star said the franchise should continue without Harrison forever, noting the steps he has already taken to rectify the situation. However, she noted that she’s having trouble seeing a way forward for ‘The Bachelor’ with so many people upset at Harrison.
Although the star and many fans clearly agree with the decision that Harrison should take a breather from his presentation duties, several people do not believe that the host should pay more fines than he does.
“I’m trying to find a tweet that Chris Harrison did,” wrote one person using a poison from The Weeknd from the Super Bowl.
“My wife and I support you Chris and can not wait to have you back on the Bachelor! People make mistakes, they own it, they go on! Stay strong!” wrote one user.
‘I’m here to support Chris Harrison as a longtime true bachelor’s fan. The show would never have been the same without him. I am so sad and angry for the result he received because he spoke openly and honestly. tired of canceling the culture. People need to be able to speak, ” wrote a third person.
“Let everyone remember that this is the same @chrisbharrison we’ve known for the last 20 years. I still support him. #TheBachelor,” added someone else.
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Lindsay has spoken out before about the lack of diversity. Back in June, she said she was ‘excited’ that Matt James had been named the first black ‘Bachelor’, but the timing of his cast, which was outraged nationwide over the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
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Recently, she admitted on her ‘Higher Learning’ podcast that she intends to resign from the franchise as soon as her contractual obligations are met.