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Bachelor’s Rachael Kirkconnell admits Rachel Lindsay ‘held her accountable’ for ‘racist’ past and slams ‘hateful’ trolls

BACHELOR star Rachael Kirkconnell said Rachel Lindsay “held her accountable” following the show’s ongoing racism scandal. 

The frontrunner posted a lengthy statement to support the former after she was forced to delete her Instagram due to online trolls “spewing hate.”

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The Bachelor star said Rachel Lindsay 'held her accountable'
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The Bachelor star said Rachel Lindsay 'held her accountable'Credit: Instagram/rachaelkirkconnell
Rachel Lindsay was forced to delete her Instagram profile due to 'bullying'
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Rachel Lindsay was forced to delete her Instagram profile due to 'bullying'Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Matt James frontrunner posted a lengthy statement defending Rachel Lindsay
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The Matt James frontrunner posted a lengthy statement defending Rachel Lindsay

, 24, wrote on her Instagram account Saturday: “You have the opportunity to make a positive difference, to use your energy towards change, and to come together and realize what’s right in a time like this. 

“If you are choosing to rather spread hate, to send cruel, vicious messages, to be mad about people being hurt by racism… do better. Be better. 

“Rachel Lindsay and other BIPOC have called for myself and other to be held accountable. 

“This is needed, and she does not deserve the hate she is receiving. Recognize that she along with every person you send hateful messages to, are human. 

“We are real people, and she should not have to disable her account to escape this toxicity. 

Rachael stood up Rachel Lindsay's advocacy within the Bachelor franchise
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Rachael stood up Rachel Lindsay's advocacy within the Bachelor franchiseCredit: Instagram
The former Bachelorette deleted her Instagram page on Saturday
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The former Bachelorette deleted her Instagram page on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images - Getty

“This is not okay. She is doing the hard work that need to be done for change, and does not deserve to be silenced or ridiculed. 

“If you are someone that has been cruel, find what fuels this hate in your heart and fix it."

Following weeks of Rachel speaking out against both host  and  for perpetuating historical racism, the first Black Bachelorette was forced to leave Instagram due to "bullying."

During an interview earlier this month, Rachel asked host Chris, 49, what he thought about  surrounding Rachael's .

 asked fans to show “compassion” for , 24, after  showed her attending an  with deep ties to the Confederacy in 2018. 

The Bachelor frontrunner went to an 'Old South' party in 2018
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The Bachelor frontrunner went to an 'Old South' party in 2018
Rachael was seen with a group of friends in an Antebellum-style celebration
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Rachael was seen with a group of friends in an Antebellum-style celebration

During the 16-minute chat, Chris also continued to speak over the ex  and claimed the racism problems were “okay” in 2018 but “not in 2021” - while adding he’s “not the woke police.”

After the longtime host received mass backlash, he announced he was "stepping away" from the franchise - infuriating some fans of the show enough to leave hate on Rachel's Instagram.

However, before she deleted her social media profile, many viewers pleaded for ABC to hire the former attorney as the new host.

Rachel Lindsay deleted her Instagram after a wave of 'online bullying'
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Rachel Lindsay deleted her Instagram after a wave of 'online bullying'Credit: extraTv
The reality show contestant apologized for her past actions
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The reality show contestant apologized for her past actionsCredit: Instagram/rachaelkirkconnell

“Literally just fire Chris Harrison and replace him with Rachel Lindsay. We all know she’d make a better host of The Bachelor,” one person said. 

Yesterday, Rachael spoke out for the first time since the show's she's at the center of.

In a tense eight-minute Instagram clip, the 24-year-old admitted she was "tired" of "not saying anything" through .

Chris Harrison's job is on the chopping block after 'perpetuating racism'
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Chris Harrison's job is on the chopping block after 'perpetuating racism'Credit: Getty Images - Getty

 then got a stern voice and looked seriously at the camera, saying: “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. 

“That’s not our place to tell people what they can and can’t be offended about. Thats wrong and that’s part of the problem so stop saying I did nothing wrong, that’s not true. 

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“If you really want to support me then encourage me to do better.”

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