Controversial "Bachelor" hopeful Rachael Kirkconnell is telling her supporters to back off.
The 24-year-old has been under fire ever since old photos emerged that show her at a plantation-themed college party in 2018. She also allegedly "liked" racially insensitive social media posts.
Rachael has already apologized and said that her "ignorance was racist." Now, in a lengthy social media video, she is against apologizing and owning up to her past.
"If you are in my comments or defending me anywhere telling people that I did nothing wrong, that there's nothing to be hurt about, there's nothing to be angry about or offended about, please stop," she said. "That's not our place to tell people what they can and can't be offended about. That's wrong. And that's part of the problem. So please stop saying that I did nothing wrong. That's not true."
Rachael's scandal reached a fever pitch in early February after longtime "Bachelor" host Chris Harrison somewhat downplayed her behavior, telling fans to give the contestant "a little grace, a little understanding." Following the interview, Chris apologized and stepped away from the ABC franchise amid backlash.
In her new video, Rachael indicated she's trying to educate herself on racial issues.
"I think that the first big step in all of this is white people stepping up and taking accountability," she said. "I've just come to realize that sitting aside and hiding in the corner and avoid being called performative, that doesn't help anything."
The controversy has played out after the current season of the "Bachelor" was filmed. Matt James, who's down to his final three women, Rachael among them, issued a statement about the "troubling information that has come to light since we wrapped filming."
"The reality is that I'm learning about these situations in real-time," he said, "and it has been devastating and heartbreaking, to put it bluntly."