In a new interview, the former 'The Bachelorette' star explains that she had 'multiple conversation' with Hannah including via texts, direct messages and phone calls following her scandal.
- May 26, 2020
AceShowbiz - Rachel Lindsay was among those who criticized fellow "The Bachelorette" alum Hannah Brown for saying N-word. In the Monday, May 25 episode of Nick Viall's podcast "The Viall Files", Rachel detailed the conversation she had with Hannah.
Rachel explained that she had "multiple conversation" with Hannah including via texts, direct messages and phone calls following her scandal. "When Hannah and I talked, she wanted to know what my thought was as to what she should do. She said, 'I want to ask you.' And she was very remorseful. She was very upset. She was embarrassed. She was admitting she was wrong, and she said she wanted to go on a Live," she recalled.
She went on saying, "She was going to go first and then bring me on. Twice, she got off the phone with me to tell me, 'OK, I'm going to go do it. I'm just going to go get ready.' Hours later, nothing. Then, we would talk on the phone. And then, hours later, nothing again until it was ultimately decided she wanted to do a statement."
As to why she was "disappointed" with Hannah for going with a statement instead of an Instagram Live video, Rachel shared, "The reason it disappointed me so much that Hannah decided to give a statement is because-her words-'A statement would be insincere. It felt icky to give a statement.' And I believed her when she said it."
"And 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," she continued. "So, to see her ultimately text me and say, 'I'm going to 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."
During the interview, Rachel denied that she tried to "force" or was "bullying" Hannah into apologizing via a Live broadcast. "But what else do you see when you see me? I'm black! I'm black. I'm black first and then I'm a woman. I am a black woman," Rachel explained. "It's not about women supporting women. It's about me representing myself as a black woman, and it is a derogatory term that is used against to oppress black people. So how, as being a black person, do I not speak out about this? It just baffles my mind. 'You should be showing Hannah grace?' Why isn't that used on the flip side of things, you know? It's crazy."
Hannah landed in hot water after she was seen singing N-word to DaBaby's song "Rockstar" during an Instagram Live. She then issued an apology in a statement which 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."
