Chris Harrison Has Apologized on 'GMA' and Plans to Return to Bachelor
It’s been 3 weeks since long-time host of The Bachelor has made one of the biggest mistakes in his career. For the first time since the incident, Harrison sat with GMA host Michael Strahan to discuss the repercussions from his harsh words during that cringe-worthy interview (where he basically dismissed the recent controversy involving Rachael Kirkconnell, a 24-year-old frontrunner on Matt James' current season of The Bachelor, who was called out antebellum plantation-themed college party in 2018). Although Kirkconnell has since apologized, Harrison’s words and actions (or lack there of) are staying in the limelight.
"I am an imperfect man. I made a mistake and I own that," he said in an interview with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America that aired Thursday. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Chris Harrison, the longtime host of the Bachelor franchise, has apologized again for his comments excusing a current contestant's alleged racist past and said he wants to return as host after his leave of absence.
"I am an imperfect man. I made a mistake and I own that," he said in an interview with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America that aired Thursday. "I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to the progress not just for myself but also for the franchise.”
It’s the interview that everyone had been waiting for, however it still seemed to fall flat. After Chris Harrison’s “Good Morning America” interview, “Extra’s” own Rachel Lindsay sat down with Billy Bush to share her reaction.
Billy said, “[Chris] directly addressed people who have been sending nasty stuff to you, which is unacceptable. How did you react when you saw that?” Rachel answered, “I wasn't expecting him, you know to address what's been going on with me because this is the first time we've heard from Chris, but the fact that he did address the harassment and the hate that I've been receiving, I really appreciate that.”
While some people, who are against #cancelculture have boycotted the franchise due to Harrison being on a leave of absence, others support the decisions the franchise has made. Past contestants have chosen to #standwithRachel and have noticed the efforts the franchise has taken in an effort to hold members accountable.
“I do accept the apology, Billy, and I think it's important for me to say that because I haven't really talked about, you know, Chris and the statement because I'm not trying to make this a Chris-versus-Rachel, but the fact that, once again, you know — this isn't the first time he's apologized to me — he apologized again on ‘GMA’ today and I do accept that and I think it's important for me to say that because we need to move forward,” Rachel has stated in an EXCLUSIVE interview with Extra TV. “And for me, for us to move forward, I need to accept the apology, so we can all be better from this situation, which is what we want.”
Chris Harrison Has Apologized on 'GMA' and Plans to Return to Bachelor. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Billy asked, “What does moving forward look like? What's the best positive that could come out here?”
Rachel said, “I think that, listen, in 2020, it was all about people realizing things that they hadn't before. It was a level of awareness that was created that people hadn't necessarily recognized. And out of that also came conversations that we should be having whether they're tough, uncomfortable, whatever it may be. Isn't that what this should be as well? It's bigger than just ‘The Bachelor,’ it's bigger than just a reality TV show. There are a lot of issues that have come up because of this interview, and I think it's important that we continue the conversation, we continue to move forward. And I think that's the best thing that we can hope for out of all of this.”
Whether you are for or against, accountability, on all fronts, is what’s needed in order to move forward.
