Drama continues behind the scenes of The Bachelor.
Now, Bachelor franchise host Chris Harrison is apologizing once more for “the pain my words have caused.” Chris announced in his statement that he’s stepping away from the show for a bit.
In a new statement posted Saturday (Feb 13), Chris said he was “ashamed over how uninformed I was” during the Feb. 9 interview with former Bachelorette and EXTRA correspondent Rachel Lindsay. “I have no one to blame but myself for what I said and the way I spoke,” said the host.
Along with “stepping aside for a period of time,” Chris will NOT be hosting the “After the Final Rose” special that will follow The Bachelor’s season finale. “I am dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before.” Read the full statement, posted on Instagram, below:
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During the interview with Rachel, the first Black Bachelorette, Chris attempted to minimize revelations that frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnel had posted and/or liked racist content. Using the word “woke” a bunch of times, Chris insisted that the contestant should not be judged on something she said in 2018, as if it were ancient history.
The interview provoked an intense backlash and a statement from BIPOC The Bachelor contestants. Chris apologized subsequently apologized, but nevertheless, on Friday, Rachel announced on a podcast that she planned to quit the franchise.
And, amid all the furor, Rachael Kirkconnel apologized for her past behavior.
It’s ALL explained in this previous post:
The Bachelor’s Rachael apologizes, Rachel Lindsay Quits Franchise
Read Chris Harrison’s Full Statement:
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.
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 Brothers and ABC and will be stepping aside for a. 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.
