Chris Harrison announced today that he is stepping aside from The Bachelor franchise due to the comments he made on Extra this week. The host defended contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. She was criticized for attending a party at a plantation owner’s house with several people dressed up in racist outfits back in 2018.
At the time of the interview, she had not spoken out. Therefore, the host was defending her by saying that we should wait until we hear from her before attacking her.
Rachel Lindsay, a former Bachelorette who was interviewing him, explained to him what he was saying was wrong. After the interview, she announced that she was not renewing her contract with the franchise.
Two days ago, Kirkconnell released a statement on Instagram, and people are still not happy with her.
Today, Harrison released his statement and what actions he plans on taking to better himself.
Hello everyone,
I have spent the last few days listening to the pain my words have caused, and I am deeply remorseful. My ignorance did damage to my friends, colleagues and strangers alike. I have no one to blame but myself for what I said and the way I spoke. I set standards for myself, and have not met them. I feel that with every fiber of my being. Now, just as I taught my children to stand up, and to own their actions, I will do the same.
By excusing historical racism, I defended it. I invoked the term “woke police,” which is unacceptable. I am ashamed over how uninformed I was. I was so wrong.
To the Black community, to the BIPOC community: I am so sorry. My words were harmful. I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the people from these communities who I’ve had enlightening conversations with over the past few days, and I am so grateful to those who have reached out to help me on my path to anti-racism.
This historic season of The Bachelor should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions. To that end, I have consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and will be stepping aside for a period of time and will not join for the After the Final Rose special. I am dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before. I want to ensure our cast and crew members, to my friends, colleagues and our fans: this is not just a moment, but a commitment to much greater understanding that I will actively make every day.
From here I can only try to evolve and be a better man, and I humble myself before all of you. I hope I will again live up to the expectations you all rightfully have for me and the expectations I have for myself.
Is this enough to save his job or do you think he has given out his last rose?
No word who will fill in for him for the After the Final Rose special.
