'Bachelor' singer Rachael Kirkconnell apologizes for 'offensive and racist' actions

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Controversial “Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell has apologized after reality show host Chris Harrison expressed regret for coming to her defense.

Kirkconnell, who is a Season 25 favorite who is currently dating the franchise’s first black bachelor Matt James, has been criticized for liking the Confederate Flag-tied TikToks and, more recently, for a resurfaced photo that appears show it to a formal fellowship on the topic of plantations. 2018.

In a statement on her Instagram Thursday, Kirkconnell apologized for her past actions, which she condemned as “offensive and racist”.

“I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist,” she writes. “I feel sorry for communities and individuals that my actions have harmed and offended. I am ashamed of my lack of education, but it is no one’s responsibility to educate me. “

She urged her followers to “learn from my mistakes” and “use them as a learning time.” She also said that she “will continue to learn to be anti-racist” and that “it is important to speak up in the moment and not after being called. “

“I deserve to be held accountable for my actions,” she continued. “I’ll never grow up if I don’t recognize that what I have done is wrong. I don’t think a single excuse means that I deserve your forgiveness, but rather I hope I can earn your forgiveness through my future actions. “

After James defended Kirkconnell in media interviews, Harrison also came to his defense. But on Wednesday, the “Bachelor” host, 49, took to Instagram to apologize for his comments.

“To my Bachelor Nation family – I’ll always be the owner of a mistake when I make one, so I’m here to offer a heartfelt apology,” he said. “I have this incredible platform to talk about love, and yesterday I took a stand on topics on which I should have been better informed.

He continued, “While I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for mercy by offering her the opportunity to speak on her own behalf. What I realize now is causing harm for speaking badly in a way that perpetuates racism, and for that I am deeply sorry. ”

He also apologized to Rachel Lindsay, from “The Bachelorette” Season 13, for “not listening to her better on a subject that she has a first-hand understanding” and thanked the members of Bachelor Nation who reached out. the hand to “hold me accountable.” ”

“I promise to do better,” he concluded.

In an interview earlier this week, Harrison said, “We all need a little grace,” when asked about the controversy surrounding Kirkconnell.

“I’ve seen stuff online – again, this judge, jury, executioner thing, where people just tear this girl’s life apart,” he added. “Until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say anything?”

James addressed the controversy surrounding Kirkconnell in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in early February, saying, “Rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people’s lives. So I would give people the benefit of the doubt and hope she has time to speak on that. “

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Contributor: Charles Trepany

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