Kirkconnell is a Bachelor contestant on the current season of the show, which features women vying for the affection of Matt James, the show’s first Black Bachelor. She recently sparked criticism after photos resurfaced of her attending an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity formal in 2018, per Deadline. This isn’t the first time that Kirkconnell’s past has been called into question. Variety reports that Kirkconnell has been accused of other racially insensitive behavior, including “liking” photos containing the Confederate flag on social media. On Feb. 9, former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay interviewed Harrison for Extra. Lindsay asked for the host’s take on Kirkconnell’s past behavior. “We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion,” Harrison told Lindsay. “Because I have seen some stuff online—this judge, jury, executioner thing where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart and diving into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting record. It’s unbelievably alarming to watch this.” He went on to say that he wanted to wait to hear from Kirkconnell before passing judgment. “I haven’t heard Rachael speak on this yet,” Harrison continued. “Until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say any of this?” And for another star under fire, Here’s Why Everyone’s Mad at Justin Timberlake Right Now. “I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago, and that’s it,” Harrison said. Lindsay corrected the host, reminding him that “the picture was from 2018 at an Old South antebellum party, so that’s not a good look.” Harrison didn’t back down. “Well, Rachel, is it a good look in 2018? Or, is it not a good look in 2021? Because there’s a big difference,” he said. Lindsay countered, “It’s not a good look ever.” She also asked Harrison to think about what it would represent if she were to attend that party as a Black woman. “You’re 100 percent right in 2021. That was not the case in 2018,” Harrison said, adding “that was a type of party that a lot of people went to.” Although he maintained that he was “not defending it,” he stood his ground. After viewers heavily criticized Harrison following his comments, he posted a lengthy apology on his Instagram. “I am here to extend a sincere apology,” he wrote. “Yesterday, I took a stance on topics about which I should have been better informed.” He said his intention was to “ask for grace in offering [Kirkconnell] an opportunity to speak on her own behalf.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb The host continued, “What I now realize I have done is cause harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism.” He also apologized to Lindsay “for not listening to better on a topic she has a first-hand understanding of.” And for more up-to-date information on this scandal and other celebrity news, sign up for our daily newsletter. On Feb. 11, Kirkconnell finally publicly addressed her past behavior. The Bachelor contestant also published an apology on her Instagram, taking accountability for her past, and noting that at one point, she didn’t “recognize how offensive and racist” her actions were. “I’m here to say I was wrong. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist,” wrote Kirkconnell. She apologized specifically to the communities and individuals that she’s offended and admitted that she’s ashamed about her lack of education. “I am learning and will continue to learn how to be antiracist,” she said. Kirkconnell closed out the post by acknowledging that the apology is not enough: “I don’t think one apology means that I deserve your forgiveness, but rather I hope I can earn your forgiveness through my future actions.” And for related celebrity news, find out why Star Wars Is Done With This Actor for Good After Anti-Semitic Posts.
