BACHELOR contestant Rachael Kirkconell was forced to apologize after photos of her attending a plantation-style college party surfaced online.
The 24-year-old was slammed on social media for condoning alleged racist behavior and for “liking” confederate flag photos on Instagram.
What did Rachael Kirkconnell say in her apology?
Rachael Kirkconnell issued a statement on Instagram after photos of her surfaced online wearing a plantation-style dress for a college antebellum party.
She pledged to educate herself while encouraging others to learn from her mistakes, writing: “I’m here to say I was wrong. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.”
She continued: Racial progress and unity are impossible without (white) accountability, and I deserve to be held accountable for my actions.”
Her mother came to her defense after a TikTok user named Maddy Bierster accused Rachael of bullying her in high school for “liking black guys.”
Rachael was also alleged to have liked racist social media posts in the past.
One snap that she had liked shows two Caucasian women dressed in a hula outfit posing in front of a Confederate flag.
In addition, she was also slammed for dressing up in a Native American costume and for engaging in controversial social media activity.
What did Bachelor host Chris Harrison say about Rachael?
Chris defended Rachael from social media trolls, saying: “We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion. Because I’ve seen some stuff online… again, this ‘judge, jury, executioner’ thing where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart.
He continued: “I haven’t heard Rachael speak on this yet, and until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say [anything]?”
The host announced on February 13 that he was stepping down from the franchise after receiving intense backlash from the public for defending Rachael.
Chris explained his leaving, writing: “The 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.
Adding: “I am dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before.”
ABC did not respond to The Celeb Report’s request for comment and have not publicly addressed the ongoing reaction to Rachael’s past.
