Chris Harrison has hosted The Bachelor since its inception, and for all those years his job had never been at risk - until last month. When photos of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell attending an "Old South" ball emerged, Chris Harrison stuck his foot in his mouth in an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay. While appearing on her segment for Extra, Chris defended Rachael's racist past and complained about people being quick to judge a "poor girl."
Reactions across Bachelor Nation came in fast and hot. Fans and former cast members alike criticized his approach to the interview and the way he talked over Rachel Lindsay. There was a petition created to fire Chris Harrison, and he announced he'd step away for the show for a length of time. Rachel Lindsay has since taken an Instagram break after angry fans began harassing her. However, much of Bachelor Nation had her back. Here are all of the members of Bachelor Nation who came to Rachel Lindsay's defense and condemned the perennial Bachelor host.
Matt James
The star of this season of The Bachelor couldn't avoid addressing the infamous interview. He was in a difficult position, considering how far Rachael makes it on the season. After a few days of silence, Matt James posted a lengthy statement on Instagram where he criticized Chris Harrison's interview with his "friend" Rachel Lindsay. He wrote, "Chris’ failure to receive and understand the emotional labor that my friend Rachel Lindsay was taking on by graciously and patiently explaining the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American should understand intimately, was troubling and painful to watch." Matt James will likely address the entire controversy on the upcoming After the Final Rose episode, which will be hosted by Chris's temporary replacement, author and NFL star Emmanuel Acho.
The Women of Season 25
For the first time in Bachelor history, the current cast came together to create a joint statement. The women of season 25 of The Bachelor wrote a statement in solidarity, and almost every woman on Matt James's season shared the post, including Rachael Kirkconnell. In the statement, the women were specific about their stance. They wrote, "We are deeply disappointed and want to make it clear that we denounce any defense of racism. Any defense of racist behavior denies the lived and continued experience of BIPOC individuals. These experiences are not to be exploited or tokenized." The statement, like Matt James', also stood up for Rachel Lindsay and reads, "Rachel Lindsay continues to advocate with ‘grace’ for individuals who identify as BIPOC within this franchise. Just because she is speaking the loudest, doesn’t mean she is alone. We stand with her, we hear her, and we advocate for change alongside her."
Tayshia Adams
Tayshia, the franchise's first half-Mexican, half-Black lead, did not mince words when she addressed the situation. She spoke directly to her followers in an Instagram story where she said, "The photo that [Rachael] was in is racist. The party she attended? 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. … I am not aligned with these actions." After such a positive experience for Tayshia on The Bachelorette, it's obvious that she expected better from the host who helped her find her fiancé, addiction recovery specialist Zac Clark.
The Men of Season 16
The men who were on Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adam's season of The Bachelorette took a page out of the women of season 25's playbook and released their own joint statement. In the Instagram statement that was shared by almost the entire cast, the men wrote that the conversation about race within the franchise was long overdue. They continued, "We stand united in denouncing 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." Although they didn't mention Chris Harrison by name, it's clear that he's being referred to when the statement references defense of racist behavior.
Clare Crawley
Rounding out the cast of season 16 of The Bachelorette is Clare Crawley, who became the first Bachelorette to give her final rose to a mixed race man of color. Although she and Dale Moss have had a tumultuous few weeks of breakups and reunions, Clare was clear in her stance against Chris Harrison and his harmful words. She expressed "extreme disappointment" in Chris's sentiments, and wrote on an Instagram Story, "I have been really understanding the magnitude of how racist behavior, and racism impacts our society and perpetuates ignorance and oppression. I have been listening to conversations and discussions as an ally, and will always continue to learn, denounce and support BIPOC in the fight against racism." She also praised Rachel Lindsay for her strength and composure in such difficult circumstances.
Hannah Brown
After her own racial controversy, Hannah Brown promised to "do better." After she uttered the n-word during an Instagram Live, the former Bachelorette and Dancing With the Stars winner has been attempting to educate herself on race in America. She spoke to her followers in an Instagram Story video, where she remarked on what she's learned over the past year, which has been a busy one for her. She said, "I have learned this past year if we wanna move forward, we have to confront where we have fallen short, and it’s so important that we lift up and listen and value and encourage underrepresented voices." Hannah seemed to use her own experience of being called out as a way to make sense of Chris's situation, and remind him not to shy away from taking accountability.
Taylor Nolan
While Taylor Nolan's callout may have been overlooked when it first came out, last week's news brought her and her statement into the spotlight. Last week, fans discovered egregious tweets from the former cast member on Nick Viall's season. The tweets, ranging from 2011 to 2014, insulted almost everybody, from Asian people to redheads to her own clients in therapy. The way she condemned Chris Harrison thus took on a hint of irony, but it doesn't take away from the relevant calls for The Bachelor to do better and practice accountability. She wrote on Instagram, "No matter how long ago something happened, whether you did it or someone else did it, there is justice to be had. You are not 'woke police' for calling for accountability nor are you 'unreasonable.'"
Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson was not afraid to speak his mind following the Extra interview. Many Bachelor fans believe he should have been The Bachelor after he appeared on Hannah Brown's season of The Bachelorette, and he has a large social media following. In his initial reaction, which he recorded on Instagram, Mike Johnson said, "Chris, you disappointed me. … Chris said some things in there that were just not good. It’s as simple as that. … I can say so many crazier things that I’m not the happiest about. … All in all, I think there is a double standard. I could give you so many examples." Mike hosts an official Bachelor Nation podcast with Rachel's husband Bryan Abasolo called "Talking It Out," which is perhaps why he held back on those tantalizing "examples." Still, he was frank in his disapproval of Harrison and the franchise.
Becca Kufrin
Becca Kufrin is one of Rachel Lindsay's closest Bachelor friends. The two host a successful Bachelor Nation podcast called "Bachelor Happy Hour." In fact, Rachel helped Becca through her own struggle when Becca's then-fiancé Garret Yrigoyan doubled down on his racist beliefs during the George Floyd protests. The two ended their relationship, likely over their political differences, and it seemed to make Becca a more outspoken ally for her friend Rachel Lindsay. As she wrote to Rachel on Instagram, "You are not alone. I will continue to have your back and advocate for and alongside you in any way, shape, or form." She also supported the BIPOC women on this season of The Bachelor and promised to "throw my name into the fight for what those who identify as BIPOC have fought for for so long." After Rachel Lindsay left Instagram due to harassment, Becca assured her followers that Becca was supporting her friend in private, and in public.
The full list of former Bachelor cast members who spoke out against Chris Harrison is long and encouraging. The list includes, but is not limited to, Nick Viall, Jojo Fletcher, Cassie Randolph, Ben Higgins, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Diggy Moreland, Bekah Martinez, Natasha Parker, Olivia Caridi, and Ashely Spivey. Recently, Chris Harrison appeared on Good Morning America to apologize for his tirade that threatens to cost him his job. Most of the cast mates who spoke out against Chris's initial interview have not responded to his recent apology. As Bachelor Nation waits to see what will become of Chris Harrison, what he may not realize is how he inadvertently created one of the biggest moments of solidarity throughout Bachelor Nation that there has ever been.