The most recent lead role of ‘Bachelorette’, Tayshia Adams, responded to the announcement by Chris Harrison that he was withdrawing from the presentation of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise ‘for a period after his controversial interview with Extra in February.
On Thursday’s episode of Click Bait with Bachelor Nation, Adams, who is biracial and identifies as Black and Mexican, said Harrison’s move is “really a good thing.”
This month, Harrison, 49, is criticized for defending current contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s attendance at an antebellum-themed “Old South” party on a plantation in 2018.
The longtime collaborator apologized after intense setbacks from fans and critics. Adams said his words mean a lot to her.
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“I think there are a few things that added to me after reading his apology. It hit my heart a little more to know that he actually meant what he said,” she explained.
“He said, ‘By excusing historical racism, I defended it,’ which is the absolute truth, and the fact that he called it and acknowledged it, and acknowledged it, means a lot to me,” she continued.
Tayshia Adams starred in Season 16 of ‘The Bachelorette’.
(ABC / Kwaku Alston)
“Also the fact that he said: ‘This is not just a moment, but a commitment to a much greater understanding that I will make every day active’, also meant a lot to me, because it is not just “a moment, just like how black Lives Matter is not just a leading topic on Instagram; it’s something that happens every day that we have to actively try to participate in,” Adams said.
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“His words have touched many people, you know, including myself,” she described. “I think he’s taking ownership and not just apologizing and then just going back to work the next day as if nothing had happened, volumes say on his behalf.”
Chris Harrison will not be attending the ‘After the Final Rose’ ceremony.
(ABC / Craig Sjodin)
Adams also said she believes in second chances and allowing someone to save themselves. “I feel we need to allow people to prove us wrong and prove themselves,” she said.
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The 30-year-old also reflected on the fact that she is the second color woman of the franchise to lead the reality TV show. The first was Rachel Lindsay, who interviewed Harrison on Extra.
Rachael Kirkconnell and ‘Bachelor’ lead Matt James on an appointment.
(ABC / Craig Sjodin)
“I remember I was at the program, and I think I said it before, but I got a lot of DMs, especially mixed girls, and said, ‘I’ve never seen anyone of my race in a role like you. or been on TV that I can actually relate to, ” Adams said.
Kirkconnell also apologized for her actions in the past which she called ‘racist and offensive’.
‘BACHELOR’ CONSTESTANT RACHAEL KIRKCONNELL APOLOGY FOR PAST RACIST ACTIONS
The 24-year-old, who is a forerunner of season 25 and is dating the first black bachelor Matt James from the franchise, has issued the lengthy statement on social media.
“I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist,” she wrote. “I am sorry for the communities and individuals that my actions have been harmed and insulted. I am ashamed of my lack of education, but it is no one’s responsibility to educate me.”
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She promised to “continue to learn how to be anti-racist” and that “it is important to speak at the moment and not after you have been called out.”