Matt James has finally broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his frontrunner, Rachael Kirkconnell, and the show’s host Chris Harrison.
The first Black “Bachelor” took to social media and released a statement in regards to Rachael’s problematic and racist shenanigans and Chris’s wholehearted attempt to excuse it.
[Read Also: Chris Harrison: ‘Bachelor’ Host Taking A Break After ‘Excusing Racism’]
In his statement, posted on his Instagram page, Matt says he is “devastated” and “heartbroken” over everything that has transpired.
Read his full statement below:
The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging of my life, and while there are several episodes left of the season, it is important that I take the time to address the troubling information that has come to light since we wrapped filming, including the incredibly disappointing photos of Rachael Kirkconnell and the interview between Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison. The reality is that I’m learning about these situations in real time, and it has been devastating and heartbreaking to put it bluntly. Chris’ failure to receive and understand the emotional labor that my friend Rachel Lindsay was taking on by graciously and patiently explain the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American should understand intimately, was troubling and painful to watch. As Black people and allies immediately know and understood, it was a clear reflection of a much larger issue that The Bachelor franchise has fallen short on addressing adequately for years.
This moment has sparked critical conversations and reporting, raised important question, and resulted in inspiring displays of solidarity from The Bachelor nation. It has also pushed me to reevaluate and process what my experience on The Bachelor represents, not just for me, but for all of the contestants of color, especially the Black contestants of this season and season past, and for you, the viewers at home.
I will continue to process this experience, and you will hear more from me in the end. My greatest prayer is that his is an inflection point that results in real and institutional change for the better.
See the original post below:
Matt James, if you picked Lady Antebellum as your future wife just say that!
Your thoughts?
