A number of Black alums of Bachelor Nation shows have spoken out after host Chris Harrison said he was 'stepping aside for a period of time' after making headlines for his controversial reaction to a contestant's racism scandal.
DeMario Jackson from season 13 and Jubilee Sharpe from season 20 were among the reality stars who spoke with TMZ, saying that Harrison's vacation from the show should be a permanent one.
'I don't really think he should be allowed to return but it's not up to me,' Jackson said. 'My season was one of the most visible Black seasons as far as the representation by African American males and women.'
The latest: A number of Black alums of Bachelor Nation shows have spoken out after host Chris Harrison said he was 'stepping aside for a period of time' after making headlines for his controversial reaction to a contestant's racism scandal
He continued: 'It just sucked because, yeah, we had each other but there was nobody we could really relate to because it was an all-white production, all-white cast, all-white show … which is great, but it’s 2021 now.
'If they do want to have move forward and have a more Black fan base I would say it all starts within. Like do you really want to have black fans or do you want to put a Band-Aid over a bullet wound?'
Sharpe said that the show's producers seemed to be more attentive to white contestants in her time on the show.
Marshana Ritchie from season 12 and Leslie Hughes from season 17 told the outlet that Harrison should brush up on Black history and undergo sensitivity training to get back his spot on the network show. The Bachelorette season 10 star Marquel Martin and The Bachelor's Robyn Jedkins told TMZ Harrison should get back his job, but has to refocus on understanding Black issues prior to commenting further.
Views: DeMario Jackson from season 13 and Jubilee Sharpe from season 20 were among the reality stars who spoke with TMZ, saying that Harrison's vacation from the show should be a permanent one
Jackson said of Harrison, 'I don't really think he should be allowed to return but it's not up to me'
The controversy came after Harrison, speaking with Extra's Rachel Lindsay (formerly of The Bachelorette), suggested 'a little understanding' toward contestant Rachael Kirkconnell as they discussed her attendance at a 2018 bash - described as 'antebellum plantation themed ball' - in images that showed up on Reddit.
In the segment, Harrison initially called for 'a little understanding' toward Kirkconnell, when Lindsay said that the scandal was 'not a good look' for the contestant.
Harrison responded, 'Is it [not] a good look in 2018? Or is it not a good look in 2021? Because there’s a big difference.'
Details: The controversy came after Harrison, speaking with Extra's Rachel Lindsay (formerly of The Bachelorette), suggested 'a little understanding' toward a contestant who attended a 2018 bash - described as 'antebellum plantation themed ball'
In the segment, Harrison initially called for 'a little understanding' toward Kirkconnell, when Lindsay said that the scandal was 'not a good look' for the contestant
![Harrison on Saturday took to social media with a contrite message, saying that 'by excusing historical racism, [he] defended it'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/16/02/39151498-0-The_latest_The_Bachelor_host_Chris_Harrison_49_took_to_Instagram-m-132_1613443820708.jpg)
Harrison on Saturday took to social media with a contrite message, saying that 'by excusing historical racism, [he] defended it'
He continued, 'The woke police is out there. And 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 woke enough, to be eloquent enough, to be ready to handle this.'
Harrison on Saturday took to social media with a contrite message, saying that 'by excusing historical racism, [he] defended it.
'To the Black community, to the BIPOC community: I am so sorry. My words were harmful,' the Texas native said. 'I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you ... to that end, I have consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and will be stepping aside for a period of time and will not join for the After the Final Rose special.'
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