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'The Bachelor' Producers Say They 'Did Not Protect' Matt James During Filming, Acknowledge Racism in Franchise

Producers of 'The Bachelor' also acknowledged racism within the franchise.

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, executive producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner admitted missteps in the season that featured the show's first-ever Black lead. Later, longtime franchise host Chris Harrison defended Kirkconnell's past racist actions, encouraging people to offer her "grace," and speaking out against the "woke police," during an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay. "From everything that I've gained from it, from a relationship standpoint, and from personal growth and family bonding, I can't go out there and say that there's things that you wish you could change and conversations that you wish you could have back," James added.

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