Rachel Lindsay Explains Why Hannah Brown’s Apology Was Disappointing

Bachelor Nation was shaken when The Bachelorette’s Hannah Brown used the N-word during an Instagram Live. Shortly after the incident, multiple alums from the franchise spoke out, including Rachel Lindsay, who educated the public on the word. Aside from opening a discussion, Lindsay mentioned she had a private conversation with Brown. She also expressed her disappointment in regard to Brown’s apology on Instagram. And now, Lindsay has gone into further detail about her exchange with Brown.

Hannah Brown from ‘The Bachelorette’ sings the N-word on Instagram Live

In May 2020, Brown went on Instagram Live while quarantining with her family amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, CNN reports. Then at one point, The Bachelorette Season 15 alum said the N-word while singing “Rockstar” by DaBaby.

Later, Bachelor Nation fans called out Brown for saying the word. The 25-year-old apologized. “I did? I’m so sorry,” Brown said. “No, I was singing… I’m so sorry.”

The following day, Brown issued an apology in an Instagram story.

“I owe you all a major apology. There is no excuse and I will not justify what I said,” Brown wrote. “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.”

Former bachelorette Rachel Lindsay reacts to Hannah Brown’s apology

Lindsay hosted an Instagram Live to educate people on why using the N-word isn’t acceptable and the negative impact the word has to this day. Lindsay also hinted she was supposed to have the Live with Brown. However, when the Dancing With the Stars champion did not take the opportunity, Lindsay decided to use her platform and do it herself. 

“It’s easy to make a statement, it’s easy to hide behind words,” Lindsay said. “But when you’re bold enough to say the N-word on camera, on your platform… you need to be bold enough to use your face on camera and apologize in the same way that you said the word.”

Rachel Lindsay explains her reaction to Hannah Brown’s apology on ‘The Viall Files’

Following Lindsay’s Instagram Live, The Bachelorette Season 13 alum went on Nick Viall’s podcast, The Viall Files. Lindsay explained she didn’t want to make her Live about criticizing Brown. Rather, she chose to educate. And ultimately she wanted people to understand the gravity of the situation. 

That said, Lindsay had to bring up Brown to give context to her Live. But when speaking with Viall, Lindsay revealed she experienced backlash from the fandom.

“What has come from that has been that, somehow, I was upset because Hannah didn’t apologize the way that I wanted her to. I was trying to force her into something; I was bullying her,” Lindsay said. “These are terms that have come up. It blows my mind that some people think.”

Meanwhile, Lindsay cleared up a few more misconceptions. The former bachelorette stated she had multiple conversations with Brown via phone, text, and direct message. She also confirmed Brown previously committed to the Instagram Live with her. 

“When Hannah and I talked, she wanted to know what my thought was as to what she should do,” Lindsay said. “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. She said she wanted to go on a Live.”

Lindsay shared they discussed doing the Instagram Live until Brown decided to issue her statement. Lindsay also explained the reason she was disappointed in Brown’s decision to write a statement as opposed to discussing the issue on camera. She said:

What people also have to understand is 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.’

I believed her when she said it. And it was her team that was advising her to give a statement. 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. 

So then 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 about that.

Later, Lindsay added, “To know what her heart was, and to ultimately hide behind a statement, is what was so disappointing.” 

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