Ever since his controversial Extra interview with Rachel Lindsay, The Bachelor host Chris Harrison has been in the hot seat. Even after his public apology, former contestants continue to criticize his downplay of Rachael Kirkconnell's attendance at an Old South Ball in 2018. Former Bachelorette leads Lindsay and Becca Kufrin want him out, but fan-favorite Tayshia Adams is being a bit more understanding. Just as her fiancé Zac Clark was given a chance to do better after his battle with addiction, so should the long-time host.
Chaos broke out on social media after Chris attempted to give current Bachelor finalist Kirkconnell the benefit of the doubt. Though pictures surfaced of her at a plantation-themed party hosted by a historically KKK-affiliated fraternity, Chris felt she deserved the opportunity to speak before the "woke police" canceled her. In the days that followed the interview with Lindsay, Chris announced he'd be "stepping away" from the show for some time. For many, this wasn't enough. Lindsay refused to accept his apology, and Becca said the network "needs to do a better job." Meanwhile, former Bachelorette contestant DeMario Jackson reflected on Chris' alleged racist actions toward him in 2017.
It hasn't been looking good for Chris. But fan favorite Tayshia isn't being so quick cancel the host. As reported by People, the 30-year-old felt that Chris' Instagram apology post was sincere. She said, "I think after reading his apology, there's a few things that stuck out to me. It hit my heart a little bit more to know he actually meant what he was saying. He said, 'By excusing historical racism I defended it' which is the absolute truth, and the fact that he called that out and owned up to that and he acknowledges that, means a lot to me." Tayshia added that, although she was affected by Chris' words on Extra, him stepping aside "speaks volumes" that he wants to make his actions right.
According to Tayshia, everyone - even Chris - deserves a second chance. She used her fiancé Zac as a prime example. Years were spent lying, cheating and stealing to feed his drug and alcohol addiction. When Zac came clean about his tumultuous past on The Bachelorette season 16, Tayshia could've sent him home on the spot. But she knew he took steps to change himself for the better, and today, they're absolutely smitten with each other. "I feel like we have to allow people to prove us wrong and prove themselves wrong. I've learned this even in my relationship. I mean, Zachary used to be an addict and he's done a lot of wrong ... And he needed somebody to give him a second chance in order to prove himself," said Tayshia. "He wasn't gonna lie anymore that he wasn't going to do drugs anymore ... And with that he made an insanely different path for himself and now is helping a lot of people because of that second chance."
Tayshia's response to the Chris-Lindsay situation takes all viewpoints into consideration. She doesn't excuse his words by any means, but she's also trying to see the good in him. In many ways, Tayshia has Chris to thank for her current blossoming romance with Zac. Chris was instrumental in Tayshia taking over as Bachelorette after Clare Crawley abruptly left engaged to Dale Moss. He fought for Tayshia to get a chance at love, and now she's fighting for him.
Source: People