Chris Harrison Apologized For "Speaking In A Manner That Perpetuates Racism" To Rachel Lindsay

    "I am so deeply sorry."

    Larry Fitzmaurice
    by Larry Fitzmaurice

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Chris Harrison, host of The Bachelor and its many spinoffs, really stepped in it earlier this week for defending Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's having attended what appears to be an Antebellum-themed party in 2018. You can catch up on what happened right here.

    Chris Harrison stands on the set of The Bachelor.
    Craig Sjodin / Getty Images

    "Is it [not] a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021?" Chris defensively asked former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay on Extra regarding Rachael's alleged behavior. Yikes.

    Now Chris has issued an apology for his words and actions by posting a statement on Instagram this evening.

    "I will always own a mistake when I make one, so I am here to extend a sincere apology," Chris stated, claiming that "my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering [Rachael] an opportunity to speak on her own behalf."

    "What I now realize I have done is cause harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism, and for that I am so deeply sorry."

    Chris also extended an apology to Rachel "for not listening to her better on a topic she has a firsthand understanding of."

    In his statement, Chris also gestured toward the considerable fan outrage from his remarks, saying that he "humbly [thanks] the members of Bachelor Nation who have reached out to me to hold me accountable."

    "I promise to do better," he concluded. Let's hope so!