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Bachelor nation has been fraught with controversy over the last several months following the racial issues that arose around season 25 winner Rachael Kirkconnell, but nobody has been more vocal about the changes that need to be made than former Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay. The Extra correspondent recently spoke in an interview with New York Magazine about her experience in the ‘Bachelor’ franchise and her relationship with former host, Chris Harrison. However, shortly after it was released, Lindsay took to social media to express her displeasure in the headline that was used on the magazine cover.
The issue, which was released on June 21, showed a closeup shot of Lindsay with the headline, “Oops, I Blew Up ‘The Bachelor’.” While clever, the headline did not accurately depict the content of Lindsay’s article, and the 36-year-old reality star took to Instagram to share her real thoughts on the article. In a lengthy post, she wrote, “I worked with New York Magazine very closely on a cover feature where I was given the opportunity to tell my story and share my experience with the Bachelor franchise,” she began.
“It was deeply personal but I felt it was important to share. While it was a very collaborative experience, they decided to misrepresent me with the headline that was chosen for the cover. Those are not my words nor are they a reflection of how I feel. In fact, it is in stark contrast to the context of the piece,” Lindsay continued.
“For me, it is very disappointing and disrespectful that the very notion I was trying to refute was used against me by the publication for a clickbait headline. My truth and my thoughts are told on the inside of the magazine which I am very proud of and hope you all read,” she concluded.
In response to a request for comment by Insider, New York Magazine wrote, “New York Magazine is incredibly proud to have published Rachel Lindsay's powerful, first-person story, detailing her experience with 'The Bachelor' franchise. We were sorry to learn that she is unhappy with the cover line (which was not meant as a direct quote), but it shouldn't take away from the candor and bravery of her words in the piece.”
Lindsay was the first black Bachelorette to be chosen in all 17 seasons of the show, and the piece revealed her experience as a contestant first on Nick Viall’s season, before headlining the show in season 13. Lindsay also spoke on her relationship with Chris Harrison following his failure to denounce racist behavior exhibited by season 25 winner Rachael Kirkconnell, and why she chose to take a step back from the franchise.
