Rachel Lindsay made a statement about Chris Harrison’s decision to temporarily leave the Bachelor franchise after the racism controversy.
Rachel Lindsay interviewed Bachelor’s perennial host Chris Harrison where he made a statement “perpetuating racism” after he seemingly defended Rachael Kirkconnell. Harrison decided to take a break from the franchise, and Lindsay approved of his decision.
Rachel Lindsay on Harrison’s temporary exit from reality show
Rachel Lindsay has learned about Chris Harrison’s decision to take a temporary leave from hosting Bachelor after his statement defending Rachael Kirkconnell. Harrison decided not to host the upcoming After the Final Rose special.
Lindsay, the first Black Bachelorette star, admitted that it was difficult for her to accept Harrison’s apology. She also agreed that the host had to take a step back from the limelight after his controversial statement.
“Where do we go from here as a franchise? It’s hard to say,” Lindsay said on Extra on Monday. “Chris has stepped aside, which I think is the right decision… and I think he needs to understand what was done, what was wrong in that interview. He needs time. He needs to step away to do that.”
Harrison issued two apologies after the Bachelor contestants came forward and called him out for his defense of racism. Lindsay believed it would be difficult to go forward with Harrison hosting the show when many are upset with him.
“How does he go on to represent the franchise when people were so upset by what they saw in that interview?” she asked.
Rachel done with the Bachelor franchise
Rachel Lindsay admitted that she no longer wanted to be affiliated with the Bachelor franchise. When her contract with Bachelor expires, she has no plans of renewing it.
The Bachelorette star got candid on Friday’s episode of the Higher Learning podcast, saying she was already exhausted and had enough of the show. First, she said she would leave if they won’t have leads of color. The franchise addressed that by casting Matt James as the first Black Bachelor.
Second, the franchise also hired a diversity consultant, and she was wondering if Harrison wasn’t aware of it. Lindsay is still contractually bound but said when the contract is up, she won’t be staying.
Harrison issued an apology
Chris Harrison apologized after receiving intense backlash for seemingly defending Rachael Kirkconnell. He admitted that his statement was “perpetuating racism.”
He also apologized to Rachel Lindsay for not heading her advice. He admitted to not listening to her on topics she has a first-hand understanding of.
Image used courtesy of ExtraTV/YouTube Screenshot