The Untold Truth Of The Bachelor's Rachael Kirkconnell

Matt James' Bachelor season has certainly had some memorable moments, and it's safe to say that this year's roses had a few thorns. On Monday, March 8, after three whirlwind dates and three visits to the fantasy suite, Matt sent Bri packing, leaving two hopefuls for the final rose: Michelle Young and Rachael Kirkconnell. According to her ABC bio, Rachael is a 24-year-old graphic designer and self-proclaimed "hopeless romantic to her core." She's looking for someone who, quote, "will make every day with her something to tell their future children about." As it turns out, she'll definitely have a few things to tell her children about. While Rachael quickly emerged as one of Matt's frontrunners, it wasn't long before Bachelor viewers discovered some unsavory details about her past. It started after the show's season premiere when a TikTok user uploaded a video that accused Rachael of bullying her in high school — specifically, quote, "for liking Black guys." The user later posted a follow-up video with responses from other people who claimed to know Rachael and to have also been bullied by the Bachelor contestant. Matt stood up for Rachael, telling ET: "I have not spoken to anybody since the show ended, but I would say that you have to be really careful about what you are doing on social media. Rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people's lives. So I would give people the benefit of the doubt, and hopefully she will have her time to speak on that." The scandal grew even bigger when college photos of Rachael at a plantation-themed party surfaced. "The picture was from 2018 at an Old South antebellum party." In early February, Bachelor host Chris Harrison spoke up on Rachael's behalf in an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay for Extra. "I haven't talked to Rachael about it. And this is again where we all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion." He added, "This poor girl Rachael, who has just been thrown to the lions, I don't know how you are equipped when you have never done this before... to be ready to handle this." Harrison went even further in his defense of Rachael's decision to attend the party. "It's not a good look." “No, it's not a good… well, Rachel, is it a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021?" "It's not a good look ever." The resulting backlash from the interview led to the longtime host stepping away from the franchise for a time, although he has said he will be back. Following the Extra interview, Harrison posted an apology on Instagram, saying on February 13: "I have spent the last few days listening to the pain my words have caused, and I am deeply remorseful. My ignorance did damage to my friends, colleagues, and strangers alike. I have no one to blame but myself for what I said and the way I spoke." In early March, Harrison appeared on Good Morning America to address the situation in person. "I am an imperfect man, I made a mistake and I own that. I believe that mistake doesn't reflect who I am." Harrison went on to tell GMA's Michael Strahan: "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." Rachael also issued an apology, turning to Instagram to post a lengthy statement that read in part: "At one point, I didn't recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn't excuse them. My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not acceptable or okay in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist." She added she was sorry to anyone that she had, quote, "harmed and offended," saying that she is "ashamed" and that she is still learning. Rachael concluded her statement with a promise to live up to her apology, acknowledging that she needs to do a lot more work, saying: "I will never grow unless I recognize what I have done is wrong. I don't think one apology means that I deserve your forgiveness, but rather I hope I can earn your forgiveness through my future actions." Two weeks later, Rachael later released a follow-up video on Instagram, again taking accountability for her past actions. In it, she revealed that some people had told her she had nothing to apologize for but she shot that down, asking her fans not to defend her. "Please stop saying that I did nothing wrong. That's not true. You know, if you really want to support me, then encourage me to do better." #RachaelKirkconnell #TheBachelor #RealityTV