Matt James was announced as the first black Bachelor in the franchise’s nearly 20-year history. His appointment was lauded as a giant leap for the beloved ABC reality dating show, which had long been criticized for excluding people of color.
A bonus: James’ cast of prospective wives would be one of the most diverse ever. But almost from the season’s start, rumors swirled about contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, as pictures of her attending an Antebellum-themed party circulated online.
Longtime host Chris Harrison defended her actions while giving an interview with Rachel Lindsay, who was the franchise’s first black Bachelorette in 2017.
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