Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images
- Chris Harrison appeared on “Good Morning America” Thursday after his recent “Bachelor” scandal.
- “I am an imperfect man,” he told Michael Strahan of defending racism. “I made a mistake.”
- Harrison stepped down as host after defending controversial contestant Rachael Kirkconnell.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Chris Harrison is back on our TV screens and ready to open up about the interview that sent the “Bachelor” franchise into a tailspin of controversy.
The longtime host – who stepped down last month following an interview with “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay – joined Michael Strahan on Thursday’s“Good Morning America.”
Harrison directly addressed his controversial Extra interview with Lindsay, in which he defended “Bachelor” front-runner Rachael Kirkconnell after photos emerged of her at a plantation-themed fraternity party in 2018.
“I am an imperfect man, I made a mistake and I own that,” Harrison said on “Good Morning America.” “I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to progress, not just for myself, also for the franchise. And this is a franchise that has been a part of my life for the better part of 20 years and I love it.”
—Good Morning America (@GMA) March 4, 2021
Harrison added that he wants to return to the "Bachelor" franchise, where he's an executive producer. After the longtime host stepped aside, it was announced that bestselling "Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man" author Emmanuel Acho would replace him for the "After the Final Rose" episode.
"I plan to be back and I want to be back. And I think this franchise can be an important beacon of change," he said. "I know that change is felt, not just by me, but by many others. And we are excited and willing to do the work to show that progress."
Harrison initially claimed that the 'woke police' was out to get Kirkconnell
During a 13-minute interview on February 9 with Lindsay, who is a correspondent for Extra but also the franchise's first-ever Black Bachelorette, Harrison asked that people show Kirkconnell "a little grace."
"I've seen some stuff online where people are just tearing this girl's life apart and diving into, like, her parents and her parents' voting record," Harrison said. "It's unbelievably alarming to watch this. I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago and that's it."
"Well the picture was from 2018 at an Old South antebellum party, so I think, you know, that's not a good look," Lindsay replied. "She's celebrating the Old South. If I went to that party, what would I represent at that party?"
Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
Harrison said Lindsay was "100% right in 2021," but claimed that wouldn't have been the case three years ago.
"And again, I'm not defending Rachael. I just know that, I don't know, 50 million people did that in 2018. That was a type of party that a lot of people went to," he added. "We are not looking under the same lens."
The backlash against Harrison was swift
A Change.org petition was soon created, calling for Harrison's removal from the franchise. It has since received more than 42,000 signatures at the time of writing.
Harrison took to Instagram a day after the interview to apologize, writing that he realized he had caused "harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism."
But the damage was done.
Contestants from the most recent seasons of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" banded together to condemn Harrison's words and show their support for Lindsay.
Matt James, the current "Bachelor" star and the first Black man to lead the show, also spoke out in support of Lindsay.
Meanwhile, Lindsay said during her "Higher Learning" podcast that Harrison had "no problems" with their interview until the backlash began.
"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 we could disagree but do it in a civil way," she said. "It wasn't until the backlash came the next day...that he then apologized to me and then apologized publicly."
Lindsay went on to say she was "f------ tired" of the franchise's ongoing issues with diversity, and that she was done with Bachelor Nation.
"I'm contractually bound in some ways," she said. "But when it's up, I can't. I can't do it anymore."
Harrison announced he was 'stepping aside' from 'The Bachelor' franchise for 'a period of time'
After apologizing, Harrison went a step further by stepping aside temporarily.
"I have spent the last few days listening to the pain my words have caused, and I am deeply remorseful," he wrote in a statement posted to his Instagram page on February 13. "By excusing historical racism, I defended it."
Harrison revealed he would not join for the "After the Final Rose" special at the end of James' season.
Emmanuel Acho, the former NFL football player and author of New York Times' bestseller "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man," has since been announced as his replacement.
"It's been a pivotal season, and this episode will hopefully be one of the most storied shows in TV history," Acho wrote on his Instagram. "Empathy is needed and change is coming."
Acho, who will speak to James and his three finalists - including Kirkconnell - during the special, added that he loves being "a bridge for reconciliation."
"Our world is disconnected and divided," he wrote. "My goal is to unify."
