Harrison spoke on behalf of Rachael Kirkconnell, who was reportedly photographed in a formal antebellum planting fraternity in 2018.
Kirkconnell has not commented on any photo yet.
Earlier this week Harrison told “The Extra” correspondent and former “The Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay that the images were long overdue and protested against canceling the culture.
“I saw a picture of her at a brotherhood party five years ago and that’s it. Like, boom,” Harrison said, adding, “I’m like” really? “”
Lindsay responded, “The picture was of 2018 at a South War pre-war party. It’s not a good look.”
Harrison replied, “Well, is Rachel looking good in 2018? Or, isn’t she looking good in 2021? Because there’s a big difference.”
“He never looks good,” Lindsay said. “If I went to this party, what would I represent at this party?”
“You’re absolutely right in 2021,” Harrison said. “That wasn’t the case in 2018. And again, I don’t defend Rachael. I just know, I don’t know, 50 million people did that in 2018. It was a kind of party where a lot of people went And, again, I don’t defend it. I didn’t go. “
Since then, Harrison has apologized for his original defense of Kirkconnell, writing on social media:
“For my Bachelor Nation family: I will always make a mistake when I make it, so I’m here to apologize sincerely. I have this amazing platform to talk about love and yesterday I took a stance on issues about which should have been better informed “.
“While I don’t speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to apologize for offering her the opportunity to speak on her own,” he continued. “What I now realize I’ve done is hurt by speaking wrongly in a way that perpetuates racism, and that’s why I’m deeply sorry. I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not hearing her better on an issue she has to understand first hand and humbly thank the Bachelor Nation members who have contacted me to take responsibility. I promise to do better. “
She added that she wanted the audience to give Kirkconnell a chance to speak for herself.