'Bachelor' host Chris Harrison temporarily 'stepping down' following controversial interview on racism

It's been a week for the Bachelor franchise, with long-time host Chris Harrison announcing on Saturday that he will be temporarily stepping down from the series following his controversial Extra interview with former and first Black Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay.

Trouble began brewing when social-media sleuths discovered Rachael Kirkconnell, a contestant on the current Bachelor season starring Matt James, had made previous racist posts, including one of her dressed in a Native American costume, and others of her attending a plantation-themed ball.

Kickconnell made a standard issue apology shortly after and, soon, so did Harrison, after he vehemently defended her behaviour to Lindsay on Extra. Despite her repeated efforts to explain to him just why Kirkconnell's behaviour was "not a good look," to put it generously, Harrison continued to insist that fans should give her "a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion."

Having chosen such an unusual hill to die on, Harrison received apt and considerable backlash from the Bachelor community, including from some of the series' former stars. Some fans even put together a petition calling for him to be removed from the franchise entirely.

In a statement published to his Instagram on Saturday, the 49-year-old addressed the mess: “I have spent the last few days listening to the pain my words have caused, and I am deeply remorseful. My ignorance did damage to friends, colleagues and strangers alike. I have no one to blame but myself for what I said and the way I spoke. I set standards for myself, and have not met them. I feel that with every fibre of my being. Now, just as I taught my children to stand up, and to own their actions, I will do the same."

Harrison continued, “By excusing historical racism, I defended it. I invoked the term ‘woke police,’ which is unacceptable. I am ashamed over how uninformed I was. I was so wrong. To the Black community, to the BIPOC community: I am so sorry. My words were harmful. I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the people from these communities who I've had enlightening conversations with over the past few days, and I am so grateful to those who have reached out to help me on my path to anti-racism."

In an effort to avoid "overshadowing" the current season of The Bachelor, Harrison said his hiatus will be immediate and he will not be appearing for "After the Final Rose" special.

It's a quick change of heart for the host after his original impassioned stance, with Lindsay (and many fans) having "a really, really hard time" accepting his apology. Same!

After Harrison's initial, brief apology on Wednesday, on Thursday's episode of the Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay podcast, she said, "When I finished that interview with Chris Harrison, he had no problems with it. He was fine. He texted me after. He appreciated the conversation ... He was like, yeah, I'll probably get a little flack, but thought it was great that we could disagree but do it in a civil way. During that conversation, his privilege was on display. He never gave me room to talk, and he never gave me room to share my perspective. He wasn't trying to hear it, he was just trying to be heard."

She added that, at a certain point in the interview, she decided to "sit back" and let Harrison talk, because she "needed people to see and hear what was happening."

Lindsay found support in the BIPOC cast-members of the current Bachelor season, who published a joint public letter denouncing Kirkconnell and Harrison's behaviour.

The letter reads: "Twenty-five women who identify as BIPOC were cast on this historic season that was meant to represent change. We are deeply disappointed and want to make it clear that we denounce any defence of racism. 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."

James – the franchise's first Black bachelor – also issued a statement, along with previous contestant Dale Moss and recent bachelorette Tayshia Adams.

A group of contestants from Adams' season released a statement, too, reading: "We stand united in denouncing racist behaviour and any defence 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." 

Before you go: 'Bachelor' contestants unite to speak out on racism

[video_embed id='2139033']Before you go: 'Bachelor' contestants unite to speak out on racism[/video_embed]