Biggest Bachelor Nation Scandals of All Time

From breakups to makeups and every thing in between, Bachelor Nation has seen all of it — and it hasn’t at all times been fairly.

Loyal followers of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette typically put within the work to uncover secrets and techniques from contestants’ pasts as they seek for love on the ABC actuality franchise. During Matt James‘ historic season, which kicked off in January 2021, frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnell sparked main controversy when viewers referred to as her social media historical past into query.

The graphic designer got here below fireplace shortly after season 25 of The Bachelor premiered when one TikTok person accused her of being racist in highschool. As the season continued, extra details about Kirkconnell’s previous got here to gentle in separate TikTok posts and footage of her at an antebellum-themed frat social gathering in 2018 resurfaced on-line. She broke her silence in a prolonged Instagram assertion in February 2021.

“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,” she wrote. “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.”

Kirkconnell mentioned that she was “sorry to the communities and individuals that [her] actions harmed and offended” and blamed her ignorance on her “lack of education.” She additionally inspired Bachelor Nation followers to make use of her errors as a “teachable moment.”

Before the fact star addressed the controversy, host Chris Harrison requested viewers to have “compassion” for Kirkconnell throughout an interview with the franchise’s first Black Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay.

“I have seen some stuff online. Again, this judge, jury, executioner thing where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart … Until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say any of this … I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago that’s it,” Harrison mentioned on the time. “My guess? These girls got dressed up and went to a party and had a great time, they were 18 years old. Now, does that make it OK? I don’t know Rachel, you tell me. Were we all looking through [that lens] in 2018?”

Harrison confronted backlash for his feedback, with followers and members of Bachelor Nation taking intention. After posting an apology on-line, the Bachelor host introduced in February 2021 that he was taking a short lived break from internet hosting Matt James‘ season. “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,” the Texas native mentioned in a prolonged Instagram put up. “I am dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before.”

Kirkconnell isn’t the primary contestant to be criticized for racially insensitive habits. Hannah Brown, the season 15 Bachelorette, issued a public apology in May 2020 when she was caught saying the N-word whereas singing alongside to DaBaby‘s “Rockstar” on Instagram Live.

“I don’t want to be ignorant anymore,” Brown mentioned on the time, telling her followers to not “defend” her habits. “I don’t want to be an ignorant white girl who uses the N-word. But I also don’t want be someone who goes on their platform intoxicated and engages with their platform that way. … I have learned that there are things that I cannot say. … There is so much more historical context that I didn’t know that makes it so much more inappropriate.”

The Alabama native concluded, “I will keep doing whatever I can to learn more and support the solution in all this. … A lot of people hurting and a lot of people angry, rightfully.”

Scroll right down to relive the present’s most scandalous moments.

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