Chris Harrison’s girlfriend Lauren Zima spoke out about his controversial comments regarding racism and a “Bachelor” contestant, which eventually led to his temporary resignation from the host duties.
“What Chris said was wrong and disappointing. Defending racism can never happen,” Zima wrote in an Instagram story on Saturday. “Accountability comes first, next is learning and growing.”
CHRIS HARRISON, ‘BACHELOR’, GUEST APOLOGY FOR ‘SPEAKING IN A WAY THAT INCREASES RACISM’
Zima (33) is a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and she is also the host and creator of ‘Roses And Rosé’, a review program dedicated to the summary of ABC’s reality series ‘The Bachelor’.
Chris Harrison’s girlfriend of two years, Lauren Zima, discussed his recent scandal in an Instagram Story post. (Gregg DeGuire / WireImage)
Her critical position of Harrison (49) has seen her 189,000 followers, and it comes two days after her famous boyfriend issued an apology for defending ‘Bachelor’ contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who was called out to attend a Antebellum party in 2018. among other racially charged performances.
In an ‘Extra’ interview with former ‘Bachelorette’ star Rachel Lindsay, Harrison said on Tuesday that he thinks Kirkconnell should get ‘a little grace, a little compassion, a little understanding’.
‘BACHELOR’ HOSTE CHRIS HARRISON ‘RETURN’ NEXT RECOVERY ABOUT RACISM
By Wednesday, Harrison had apologized to fans who thought he was dismissing the situation and allegedly continued racism during his conversation with Lindsay (35).
“To my Bachelor Nation family – I will always make a mistake when I make one, so I’m here to make a sincere apology. I have this amazing platform to talk about love, and yesterday I took a stand on topics that I need to be better informed, “Harrison wrote in an Instagram post.” What I now realize I did is do harm by speaking wrong in a way that perpetuates racism, and is about it I’m really sorry. “
Three days later, Harrison shared via Instagram another lengthy apology further acknowledging that he regrets the use of the term “awake police”, and that he informs fans that he is going to leave “The Bachelor” temporarily.
‘BACHELOR’ CONSTESTANT RACHAEL KIRKCONNELL APOLOGY FOR PAST RACIST ACTIONS
Chris Harrison, 49, issued two statements regarding comments he made in defense of “Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. (ABC / Craig Sjodin)
“My words were harmful. I listen, and I really apologize for my ignorance and the pain it caused … I am so grateful to those who assisted me in helping me on my path to anti-racism,” he wrote. with reference to the Black and BIPOC community. “This historic season of The Bachelor should not be damaged or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions. That’s why I consulted Warner Bros. and ABC and will step aside for a period of time and will not participate. not the special after the final rose. ‘
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Season 25 of ‘The Bachelor’ features 29-year-old real estate agent Matt Jones, who is the first African-American man to serve as the biggest love interest in the ‘The Bachelor’ series. Meanwhile, Kirkconnell (24) is a frontrunner in the season.
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James on an appointment during an episode of ‘The Bachelor’. (ABC / Craig Sjodin)
Kirkconnell broke her silence on Thursday with a statement she shared to Instagram.
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“While there were rumors circulating, truths also came to light that I must address. I hear you, and I am here to say I was wrong,” she wrote. “At one point I did not realize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that did not excuse them. My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. It is in no sense acceptable or good. I was ignorant. , but my ignorance was racist. ‘