Long-time host of The Bachelor US Chris Harrison has been temporarily replaced and may be permanently stepping down from the franchise, after he defended a contestant for attending a racially insensitive themed sorority party in 2018.
Harrison came under fire recently for his comments defending season front-runner Rachael Kirkconnel after photos of her attending an antebellum themed sorority party emerged. The reason it’s insensitive is because the antebellum era or plantation era was the period of black slavery in the south of the United States. These types of parties sometimes use Confederate flags as decorations, they are also largely banned at US colleges.
Photos have now emerged of Rachael Kirkconnell at an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity formal in 2018 #TheBachelor #BachelorNation pic.twitter.com/TEqmofRPKN
— Rosé (@TeaAndRoses21) February 4, 2021
Speaking on Extra, Harrison said that the photo is “not a good look in 2021” but is more excusable in 2018. This shocked Rachel Lindsay (a former Bachelorette) who was interviewing Harrison, and replied: “It’s not a good look ever.” He then went on to refer to the online community as the”woke police” and continued to cut Lindsay off when she explained why public outcry was justified.
Shortly after the interview, Harrison announced he would be temporarily stepping down from The Bachelor just before The Bachelor: After The Final Rose special is due to be filmed.
But it looks like the franchise are already moving away from Chris Harrison after it was announced today that he would be replaced by Emmanuel Acho for the special. Although it is still unknown whether that replacement is permanent.
The former NFL player wrote New York Times’ best seller Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. It’s a book that answers questions about race that you might be too afraid to ask.
“I’ve accepted the Rose and am honoured to be hosting the @bachelorabc After the Final Rose this year. It’s been a pivotal season, and this episode will hopefully be one of the most storied shows in TV history. Empathy is needed and change is coming. Share the news! I’ll see y’all then!” Emmanuel wrote on Instagram.
“I love being a bridge for reconciliation. Our world is disconnected & divided, my goal is to unify.”
Let’s just hope our boy Osher doesn’t say anything to get him axed, because I’d miss that gorgeous head of hair way too much.
