The Bachelor reality program has been a popular ABC production for nearly 20 years and this might be one of the biggest news headlines besides all the drama and relationships. One contestant Rachael Kirkconnell on the show this year is caught up with many racially insensitive allegations brought to light, bringing up past actions and comments growing up in the south. Chris Harrison, one of Bachelor productions talks to previous bachelorette Rachel Lindsey in the interview below. Chris seemingly tries to filibuster the interview taking the view away from Bachelor Production and looking toward individual contestants and talking about traditional southern culture involving 'woke' rhetoric.
The topic about Rachael K showed on Tik Tok about how allegedly including friends bullying people for liking black guys and even bringing up family racial social media posts and likes. Also pictures involving old south parties involving Kappa Alpha has been problematic and controversial.
For a long time, it has not been a secret that the foundation behind the show is more tradition and caters toward a specific demographic with the premiss of the show. With 30+ girls or guys spending weeks with a person in hopes of an engagement in the end, the new audiences and even social progression throughout the years, is less traditional and more contemporary and modern. There is no way to erase southern history and forget about things like Antebellum balls, Plantation events, and covert racial undertones in the south, but this shines a light on how different communities and traditions view these events and brings a conversation.
Both Hannah Brown and Jessica Clarke (former Bachelor Ben Higgins’ fiancée) have been photographed at antebellum plantation-themed events—so far, all have been silent on this Chris Harrison/Rachael Kirkconnell racism scandal #TheBachelorpic.twitter.com/poC2QTDW7R
Chris stepping aside is a step. Another step is him ultimately being replaced, because true change comes from the top. Another is giving BIPOC contestants equal ‘grace’, importance, respect, & screen time. There’s still plenty work to do. #TheBachelor@bachdiversity@bachelordatapic.twitter.com/NDJVsa7edC
In the past, backlash includes contestants like Lee Garrett who was on Rachel Lindsey's season as the first black bachelorette, had insensitive racial history brought to light and even previous bachelorette Becca Kufrin ended her engagement after her fiancé Garrett Powell's history came out as well. Social media boomed after Chris Harrison's interview came out and all of bachelor nation came together on the topic of race and accountability of peoples actions.
With the different backgrounds of all the contestants from the show, everyone's scattered from deep south to beachy California to a more corporate New York to mid western values and upbringings, there are many points of view being shown on television for millions to see every monday night at 8pm. The Bachelor not only is about engagements but includes controversial comments and actions of Rachael K and shines a light on television productions control. Supposedly, Rachael had to wait a while until production approved her statement and speak out.
And there’s Rachael’s statement. Reminder to my fellow non-black #TheBachelor viewers we don’t have a position to judge this apology as for how ‘good’ it is. It’s not for us. We aren’t the ones who were harmed. pic.twitter.com/YthEDDiI9J
People have come out against Rachel Lindsey for creating all this drama and even blaming her for Becca Kufrin's engagement. Others denounced this heavy topic and want people to react with grace and compassion. Bachelor production seems to be now on the side of protecting their contestants from controversy for this incident where in the past there hasn't been as much. Dylan Barbour even came out about the control bachelor producers have and can create their own narrative.
People are ready to have an honest conversation about the show and the contestants now. Long is the time where the engagement has been the forefront of this show with the past eight contestants ending engagements for a little as two months to two years, not exactly a great track record. Looking closer into contracts and testimonies shows the affects of production during the showing and after the fact, creating false reputations and representations of people throughout the show. Previous contestants and color call out their inequity on the program as well. Reality television has always toed the line with being unscripted and a fully produced and manufactured show. Bachelor host Chris Harrison has announced he has temporarily stepped down from his position and we will see where the production goes from here.
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