February 6, 2021. In Instagram DMs between Anastasia and her cousin sent in June 2020 and obtained by The Sun, Rachael can be seen saying: “Don’t even get me started on the Confederate flag bulls**t! “[Rachael] was not intentionally racist but she understands that she messed up and hurt people. The Bachelor host, Chris Harrison issued an apology after he was slammed for "perpetuating racism" as he "defended" Kirkconnell. Another displays a trio of ladies proudly posing in traditional Mexican ponchos and sombreros while donning large fake moustaches. Unfortunately, Rachel L has gotten involved in the messy controversy where Chris found himself out as Bachelor Nation host after he defended Rachael K going to a problematic party. One snap that she had liked shows two Caucasian women dressed in hula outfits posing in front of a Confederate flag. James confirmed this week that he's now "pursuing" a relationship with Kirkconnell. “If you are in my comments or anywhere defending me or telling people that I did nothing wrong or that there is nothing to be hurt or offended about, please stop," she said in the video. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. Watch later. On February 11, 2021, The Bachelor contestant broke her silence on the race controversy. Rachael’s old south antebellum party picture. Why else is Rachael facing backlash? Rachael has allegedly liked racist social media posts in the past. In one snap from the dance, the brunette graphic designer smiled for a selfie in a large pink Antebellum-style dress next to two friends in similar gowns. “Hey @BachelorABC why were you so quick to cast a black bachelor in the height of BLM protests but are dead silent rn about your super f**king racist front runner Rachael?” Another asked. Through the ongoing backlash, Rachael’s cousin claimed she has learned from her “ignorance” and will be coming forward with a statement soon. She has allegedly liked racist social media posts in the past. Josh Duggar accused of possessing child porn as he's released on bail, Josh Duggar RELEASED from jail after 'possessing 65 images of child porn', Josh 'used darkweb' to bypass software that would ‘report’ porn usage to Anna, Tristan Thompson's 'mistress' Sydney Chase 'won't be called a liar', © 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, The Bachelor's Rachael Kirkconnell was slammed for attending an 'Old South' party, The Southern formal features ladies in Antebellum-style dresses, Rachael is a frontrunner on this season of The Bachelor with Matt James, Rachael's cousin, Anastasia, claimed the party's racist roots are 'undeniably wrong', The cousins grew up together and have become close in their adult years, Rachael sent Anastasia a message that denounced the confederate flag in June 2020, Rachael is 'writing a statement' she hopes to release soon, Rachael is a contestant on Matt James' season of The Bachelor, The brunette beauty is a frontrunner to win Matt's heart, The Georgia native and New Yorker went on a luxury shopping date this week. I don’t believe she is racist even after this coming to light but as a white woman that is not my call to make.”. BACHELOR frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnel has been slammed by fans “as racist” for photos showing she attended an “Old South” party in 2018. In the photo, from the above mentioned ball, Kirkconnell is dressed in an antebellum-style dress. 11. Harrison sat down with Good Morning America on Thursday March 4 to talk about the racism scandal. Photos surfaced of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell at a plantation-themed party in 2018 as well as a history of liking photos with the Confederate flag . Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. While the photos circulating only feature women, men who attend “Old South” parties commonly wear costumes depicting Confederate soldiers and plantation owners. Rachael Kirkconnell from 'The Bachelor' came under fire for attending a racist sorority party—read her apology, Chris Harrison's defense of her, and more, here. Harrison came under fire for his comments with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay about the Matt James frontrunners current “racist” scandal and has since stepped down from the franchise. BACHELORS Nick Viall and Sean Lowe took their ladies on dates to plantations during past seasons before Rachael Kirkconnell attended an “Antebellum” party. The Antebellum South was a period in the history of the southern United States, from the late 18th century until the start of the American Civil War in 1861. Info. Reunion: The finale was pre-taped at the end of 2020, months before a photo of Rachael attending a plantation-themed party were exposed, prompting their split. Bachelor’s Rachael Kirkconnell SLAMMED for attending ‘Old South’ plantation party but cousin insists she’s ‘NOT racist’ February 7, 2021 4 minute read BACHELOR frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnel has been slammed by fans “as racist” for photos showing she attended an “Old South” party in 2018. 'The Bachelor' host Chris Harrison apologized after defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who reportedly attended an antebellum plantation-themed party in 2018. In an interview on February 9, 2021, with Lindsay - the first Black lead in franchise history - Harrison said: “We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion. Bachelor’s Rachael Kirkconnell SLAMMED for attending ‘Old South’ plantation party but cousin insists she’s ‘NOT racist’. Matt James picked Rachael Kirkconnell during the finale of "The Bachelor" on Monday night. "She wasn’t aware of the history because the version they throw today is marketed as an old school party, not a confederate celebration. “Because I've seen some stuff online… again, this 'judge, jury, executioner' thing where people are just tearing this girl's life apart. Share. The Southern fraternity throws their annual bash during “Old South Week” - a popular event that has previously been held on plantations and used Confederate flags for decoration. She said she was hesitant in the past to post links or resources because she didn't "want people thinking it’s performative or not something I really stand by.”. Commenting is currently disabled on this article. The Bachelor contestant appeared to attend the troubling event at Georgia College & State University in 2018. That's wrong and that’s part of the problem so stop saying I did nothing wrong, that’s not true. Kappa Alpha has been criticized as "racist” due to its embrace of Confederate General Robert E. Lee as its “spiritual leader”. A photo of Rachael Kirkconnell in antebellum dress, allegedly at an Old South party, has resurfaced and landed her in hot water. Then on February 10, 2021, Harrison took to Instagram and apologized for his comments in the interview, calling them a “mistake” in a lengthy post. Commenting is currently disabled on this article. Kirkconnell attended the antebellum themed ball - which was thrown by the college fraternity, Kappa Alpha - while at Georgia College & State University in 2018. Not great: Photos surfaced of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell at a plantation-themed party in 2018 as well as a history of liking photos with the Confederate flag