Last week, photos of The Bachelor frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnell attending an Antebellum-themed party surfaced. Bachelor Nation has been reacting, and not well.
On The Bachelor, Rachael has emerged as a frontrunner after her shopping date with Matt James. They each confessed on the date that they were falling for one another. Matt hasn't said this to anyone else on the season (yet). However, outside of the show, Rachael was already in hot water with fans because of her social media activity. Several people came forward at the beginning of the season saying Rachael bullied them in the past for liking Black men. She also recently reposted a QAnon graphic on her Instagram and was seen liking MAGA posts. The latest controversial photos show her at a sorority party dressed in traditional Old South-style clothing. The party was held on the grounds of a former Antebellum plantation.
Bachelor alum and fans alike were incensed by the photos. Olivia Caridi, a contestant on Ben Higgins' season, wrote on Twitter, "This is downright vile. And LOL at people excusing it because this is 'common.'" "These are white privileged kids who are dressing up and glorifying a time in which slave owners dehumanized Black people," Olivia continued, "Being 'not racist' is not enough." Her comments were echoed by many fans and other former contestants. Ashley Spivey, a contestant on Brad Womack's season, wrote, "If you are educated, you know that this is not simply a southern theme. This is romanticizing the Antebellum south," on her Twitter account. She wrote in a separate post that it was odd that ABC was not letting Rachael make a statement about her behavior, since they let Garrett Yrigoyen do so while Becca Kufrin's season was still airing. Bachelor insider Reality Steve jumped in on the conversation, writing on Twitter, "This is unacceptable and wildly ignorant." However, he also mentioned he was told Rachael would be making a statement soon.
Rachael hasn't spoken about her racist behavior as of today. However, Matt James was recently asked how he felt about it. "Rumors are dark and can ruin people's lives," he told ET. "So I would give people the benefit of the doubt, and hopefully, she will have her time to speak on that."
Matt's continued support of Rachael makes sense with the rumors that she wins the show. Fans, on the other hand, are certainly not feeling so gracious towards her.
The Bachelor airs on Monday nights at 8PM EST on ABC.
Source: Olivia Caridi, Ashley Spivey, Entertainment Tonight