Rachel Lindsay the only black Bachelorette shares she was ‘disappointed’ in Hannah Brown’s apology for saying the N-word
- Hannah, 25, said the slur while rapping along to the DaBaby song Rockstar
- She initially planned to discuss her mistake with Lindsay on Instagram live but later backed out only to offer a written apology
- Lindsay was the first and only black Bachelorette
Rachel Lindsay has shared her reaction to her fellow Bachelorette Hannah Brown’s apology for saying the N-word.
While appearing on The Viall Files she shared that Hannah initially wanted to discuss the issue on Instagram Live.
Now Rachel, 35, the only black Bachelorette, revealed after her discussions with Hannah she was ‘disappointed’ that a written statement was made instead.
Difference of opinion: Rachel Lindsay (left) has shared her reaction to her fellow Bachelorette Hannah Brown’s (right) apology for saying the word ‘n****’
She talked about the issue with Nick Viall, a former Bachelor who is now the host of his self-titled podcast The Viall Files.
Hannah, 25, said the slur on social media while rapping along to the DaBaby song Rockstar which contains multiple uses of the word.
She instantly received a huge backlash and called up her fellow former Bachelorette Rachel for advice on what to do.
‘When Hannah and I talked she wanted to know what my thought was as to what she should do. She said: “I wanna ask you.” And she was very remorseful. She was very upset. She was embarrassed,’ Rachel said.
Candid: While appearing on The Viall Files she shared that Hannah initially wanted to discuss the issue on Instagram Live
‘She was admitting she was wrong. And she said she wanted to go on a Live, and she was going to go first and then bring me on. Twice she got off the phone with me to tell me: “Okay, I’m gonna go do it. I’m just gonna go get ready.” Hours later, nothing.’
Shared Rachel: ‘Then we would talk on the phone. And then hours later nothing again until it was ultimately decided that she wanted to do a statement.’
Rachel explained that ‘the reason it disappointed me so much that Hannah decided to give a statement is because, quote, her words: “A statement would be insincere.” Hannah said that. It felt icky to give a statement. And I believed her when she said it.’
Her viewpoint: Now Rachel, 35, the only black Bachelorette, revealed after her discussions with Hannah she was ‘disappointed’ that a written statement was made instead
She said of Hannah that ‘it was her team that was advising her to give a statement. And she said in her heart she didn’t feel it was that way and she felt that God had wanted her to use her platform for a bigger purpose and she was going to step up and do that.’
Said Rachel: ‘So then to see her ultimately text me and say: “I’m gonna give a statement,” was extremely disappointing.
‘Because you yourself said that that was insincere, so why did you therefore decide to do an insincere action? I’m very confused by that.’
‘I owe you all a major apology’: Hannah’s written statement read: ‘There is no excuse and I will not justify what I said’
Hannah’s written statement read: ‘I owe you all a major apology. There is no excuse and I will not justify what I said. I have read your messages and seen the hurt I have caused. I own it all. I am terribly sorry and know that whether in public or private, this language is unacceptable. I promise to do better.’
Rachel responded on her own Instagram Live that ‘non-black people should not feel okay about saying the word n*****’ and Nick said on Viall Files that Hannah’s ‘initial response was disappointing.’
He denounced Hannah’s statement as ‘a really terrible apology and really insincere and it comes across as, again, ignorant to what she’s speaking on.’