Bachelor Nation alums call for Chris Harrison to be gone permanently from ABC romance franchise

A number of black alums of Bachelor Nation shows have spoken out on host Chris Harrison’s decision to step aside ‘for a period of time’ after making headlines for his controversial reaction to a contestant’s racism scandal.

DeMario Jackson from season 13 and Jubilee Sharpe from season 20 were among the reality stars who spoke with TMZ, saying that Harrison’s break from the show should be a permanent one.

‘I don’t really think he should be allowed to return but it’s not up to me,’ Jackson said, as he slammed it as an ‘all-white’ show.

‘My season was one of the most visible black seasons as far as the representation by African American males and women.’

Views: DeMario Jackson from season 13 and Jubilee Sharpe from season 20 were among the reality stars who said that Harrison’s vacation from the show should be a permanent one 

Harrison had initially called for ‘a little understanding’ toward this year’s contestant Rachel Kirkconnell (pictured above), who has been accused of racism after pictures emerged of her at a 2018 event described as an ‘antebellum plantation themed ball’

Harrison had announced on Saturday that he was stepping aside from the show, pictured

He continued: ‘It just sucked because, yeah, we had each other but there was nobody we could really relate to because it was an all-white production, all-white cast, all-white show … which is great, but it’s 2021 now. 

‘If they do want to have move forward and have a more black fan base I would say it all starts within. Like do you really want to have black fans or do you want to put a Band-Aid over a bullet wound?’

Sharpe said that the show’s producers seemed to be more attentive to white contestants in her time on the show. 

Others claimed that Harrison, 45, should be able to win his spot back but that he would have to earn it by proving that he was going to make efforts to understand the issues faced by black contestants. 

Marshana Ritchie from season 12 and Leslie Hughes from season 17 told the outlet that Harrison should brush up on black history and undergo sensitivity training to get back his spot on the network show. 

The Bachelorette season 10 star Marquel Martin and The Bachelor’s Robyn Jedkins also told TMZ Harrison should get back his job, but has to refocus on understanding black issues prior to commenting further.

DeMario Jackson from season 13 of the show said of Harrison, ‘I don’t really think he should be allowed to return but it’s not up to me’. He is pictured above on the show with Harrison

The controversy surrounds contestant Rachel Kirkconnell who is dating the franchise’s first black Bachelor Matt James. They are pictured together above on the show

The controversy came after Harrison, speaking with Extra’s Rachel Lindsay, suggested ‘a little understanding’ toward contestant Rachael Kirkconnell as they discussed her attendance at a 2018 bash – described as ‘antebellum plantation themed ball’ – in images that showed up on Reddit.

The racist allegations first emerged publicly last month when the plantation photos came to light. 

Kirkconnell was subsequently hit with claims that she ‘ridiculed’ a woman for dating black men and has previously shared QAnon conspiracy posts.

In the segment, Harrison initially called for ‘a little understanding’ toward Kirkconnell, when Lindsay, who was formerly the franchise’s first black Bachelorette, said that the scandal was ‘not a good look’ for the contestant.

Harrison responded, ‘Is it [not] a good look in 2018? Or is it not a good look in 2021? Because there’s a big difference.’

Details: The controversy came after Harrison, speaking with Extra’s Rachel Lindsay (the first black Bachelorette), suggested ‘a little understanding’ toward  a contestant who attended a 2018 bash – described as ‘antebellum plantation themed ball’ 

In the segment, Harrison initially called for ‘a little understanding’ toward Kirkconnell, when Lindsay said that the scandal was ‘not a good look’ for the contestant

Harrison on Saturday took to social media with a contrite message, saying that ‘by excusing historical racism, [he] defended it’. He is now stepping aside from the show

He continued, ‘The woke police is out there. And this poor girl Rachael, who has just been thrown to the lions, I don’t know how you are equipped when you have never done this before, to be woke enough, to be eloquent enough, to be ready to handle this.’

Harrison initially apologized for the statement but followed it on Saturday by announcing that he is stepping aside.

He took to social media with a contrite message, saying that ‘by excusing historical racism, [he] defended it.

‘To the black community, to the BIPOC community: I am so sorry. My words were harmful,’ the Texas native said. 

‘I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you … 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.’ 

It came after Kirkconnell’s own apology on Thursday over her past ‘offensive and racist’ behavior. 

Kirkconnell, a 24-year-old graphic artist from Cumming, Georgia, issued the apology via Instagram. 

‘While there have been rumors circulating, there have also been truths that have come to light that I need to address. I hear you, and I’m here to say I was wrong,’ Kirkconnell said in her long-winded apology. 

‘At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them. My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not acceptable or okay in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.’  

Addressing the rumors: The Georgia native, 24, issued a lengthy apology and demanded she be ‘held accountable for her actions’ and asking for ‘forgiveness’  

Photos of her from 2018 at a plantation themed formal surfaced online, with multiple users additionally adding that she had bullied a classmate in high school for dating black guys

‘I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions harmed and offended. I am ashamed about my lack of education, but it is no one’s responsibility to educate me,’ she added. 

‘I am learning and will continue to learn how to be antiracist, because it’s important to speak up in the moment and not after you’re called out.’ 

Following her apology, Kirkconnell posted to her stories a statement from all the other women on her season which was issued to ‘denounce any defense of racism’ and to stand by Lindsay. 

‘Twenty-five women who identify as BIPOC were cast on this historic season that was meant to represent change,’ it read. 

On Friday morning, the men from the cast of Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams’ season of The Bachelorette also issued a joint statement. Crawley is Latina while Adams’ was the franchise’s first black and Latina star. 

‘We had the opportunity to be a part of one of the most diverse casts in the history of the franchise,’ they noted. 

‘We stand united in denouncing any racist behavior and any defense thereof. We also stand united with the women of Season 25 of The Bachelor, who have denounced the same; moreover, we stand united with Rachel Lindsay, who has led the way.’

Adams herself spoke up on her Instagram stories. 

‘I am really hurt and disappointed and confused at the ignorance when it comes to race,’ she said. 

“The things that have come to light within the Bachelor franchise this past week have just been eye-opening. And I want to talk about the interview that was had between Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison regarding some of the actions from a current contestant, Rachael Kirkconnell. 

‘The photo that she was in is racist. The party that she attended: racist. Her actions have been racist. When there are blatant forms of racist acts, you cannot be defensive of it. 

‘It speaks volumes. And I just have to say, I am really hurt by this response,’ Adams added. 

In the wake of her interview with Harrison, Lindsay, 35, has since revealed that she will not be renewing her contract with Bachelor Nation. 

She added in an interview with Extra on Monday that the host needs to get ‘educated’. 

When asked how she felt walking away from the interview, Lindsay said she was ‘stunned,’ but not because of what he said.

Understand: ‘And I think he needs to understand what was done, what was wrong, and what he said in that interview, and he needs time. He’s stepped away to do that. As a franchise, though, where do you go from here when…?’ she added

Intention: ‘It was never my intention to see Chris Harrison step aside but it was my intention for others to see and hear this interview,’ she said.

‘As Chris referenced in that interview, we have had these conversations. I wasn’t shocked at the content of what he was saying… in public, where other people can hear what you think, and your, your thoughts may be a bit controversial, but I remember also thinking, “This is something that needs to be heard. This is something that needs to be seen.” And I felt a duty,’ she said.

‘Because when you think of racism, you think explicit racism… you think wearing a white hood, you know? Saying things that are derogatory or offensive,’ she continued. 

‘That’s explicit racism, but then there’s implicit racism where you have these unconscious biases and stereotypes and misconceptions of certain groups, and that’s what we were seeing in that interview, and I think it was a moment for people to recognize what was being said and to learn and grow from it, which is what we’re seeing happen now with Chris.’ 

When asked how she felt about his apology, she said, ‘It wasn’t an apology,’ adding, ‘The apology came after the fact. So it’s hard for me to fully accept it. I’m going to need that time and space and compassion that he referenced to really accept the apology, because [Chris wasn’t] apologetic at first… I’m not saying I can’t get there, it’s just, initially, it’s a little tough for me.’

Lindsay added she thinks it was the ‘right decision’ for Harrison to step away, adding, ‘he needs to take time to get educated and on a profound and productive level to use his word. 

‘And I think he needs to understand what was done, what was wrong, and what he said in that interview, and he needs time. He’s stepped away to do that. As a franchise, though, where do you go from here when…?’ she added.

On Monday night’s show, 24-year-old Kirkconnell – the contestant at the center of the scandal – received a rose from this year’s Bachelor Matt James, placing her in the final four and setting her up for a hometown date. 

Rachael Kirkconnell (pictured) has been the frontrunner for weeks and recently apologized outside of the show after she was accused of liking racist social media posts and attending an Antebellum South plantation themed fraternity formal in 2018

On Monday night’s show, 24-year-old Kirkconnell received a rose from this year’s Bachelor Matt James, placing her in the final four and setting her up for a hometown date

She has been the frontrunner for weeks and last week apologozed over the photos of her that have resurfaced and her liking of racist posts on social media. 

Real-estate broker James is the first black male lead in show’s 18-year history. 

He has not yet commented on the scandal involving his frontrunner. 

James had acknowledged the accusations against Kirkconnell during an interview with Entertainment Tonight on February 2 but warned people not to rush to any judgement.

‘I would just warn people to be careful about making accusations before someone’s had a chance to speak on it,’ he said at the time.

‘Rumors are dark, and they’re nasty, and they can ruin people’s lives, so… I would give people the benefit of the doubt, and hopefully, she’ll have her time to speak on that.’