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Bachelor Nation Stars React After Hannah Brown Apologizes for Using the N-Word

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May 19, 2020 9:30 am·

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Many Bachelor Nation alums — including Rachel Lindsay, Tyler Cameron, Bekah Martinez, Mike Johnson and Nick Viall — reacted to former Bachelorette Hannah Brown using the N-word during an Instagram Live on May 16.

The 25-year-old used the N-word while singing the lyrics to “Rockstar” by DaBaby while rehearsing a TikTok dance. Fans immediately called her out for using the racial slur. At first, Hannah didn’t remember saying it and blamed her brother, Patrick Brown.

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“I did? I’m so sorry … I don’t think … Maybe it was Patrick. Um, anyway,” she said as her initial response. She later denied using the racial slur. “I’d never use that word. I’ve never called anybody that. We don’t say that word,” she told viewers. “So, you know what, I’m going to stay here, and y’all can think I said whatever I did or think I’m something I’m not, but I’m not that.”

However, she released a formal, written apology on her Instagram Story the following day. “There is no excuse and I will not justify what I said,” she wrote on May 17. “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.”

Keep scrolling to see Bachelor Nation’s response.

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A post shared by Rachel Lindsay (@therachlindsay)

Rachel Lindsay

Rachel began her Instagram Live by noting her intention wasn’t to “drag” the Alabama native. In fact, she didn’t even plan to speak publicly about the situation. However, she claimed she reached out “directly” to Hannah about what happened.

“It’s an opportunity to maybe educate them, to speak to them [about] how you were personally upset about it,” Rachel explained, before adding she gave Hannah an “opportunity” to use her powerful platform to “correct that mistake.”

Since “it wasn’t done,” the former lawyer took to her own platform to explain the history of the N-word and why it was not OK for Hannah to use it — even if she was singing the lyrics to a song.

“My reason for doing this is because I want to educate people on the word and encourage you to hold people accountable. If you feel offended or you feel wronged, don’t give them a pass, hold them accountable for what they did and that’s what I did today,” Rachel concluded her video. “If you’re going to praise someone for being honest and bold and letting it all out, then you have to hold them when they don’t do over a controversial situation, especially one that they’ve caused, think about that.”

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Bekah Martinez

Bekah Martinez

The former Bachelor contestant begged followers to “hold people accountable to do better” in a lengthy statement on her Instagram Story. “It’s not cool to just sing it along the lyrics of a song, especially not on your platform with millions of followers?!! SMH,” she added.

Bekah also slammed Hannah’s response to the situation. “At least make a legitimate apology and acknowledge your behavior,” the starlet ended her written message.

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Bachelor Nick Viall Smiles in Grey Jacket and White Tshirt

Nick Viall

The season 21 Bachelor said he found the situation “deeply disappointing” during an Instagram Q&A. However, he said he wanted “to get more details” before issuing an “extensive reaction.” The podcast host added he may not speak out about Hannah’s incident again.

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Hannah Brown and Matt James

Matt James

The soon-to-be contestant on Clare Crawley’s season urged followers to “spread love” along with the Bible verse John 8:7.

The verse Matt shared reads, “So when they continued asking [Jesus], he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

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Bachelorette COntestant Mike Johnson Wears Purple Sweater

Mike Johnson

“People, don’t come at me like I’m watching everything that’s going on with my cast members,” the contestant from Hannah’s season said in a video, while slamming trolls who were hating on him because he had not spoken about his ex using the racial slur.
 
“She shouldn’t have said the N-word. It’s pretty damn simple to me, right? I haven’t seen the video,” he explained on-camera.

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Tyler Cameron Reacts to Hannah Brown Saying the N Word

Tyler Cameron

“In these moments you have the opportunity to [bury] someone or lift them up,” Tyler wrote about his ex on his Instagram Story. “She is learning and growing just like every single one of us. Love rids hate. Hate only makes more hate. Let’s learn and lift each other up with love.”

Although he defended Hannah and said she is “not racist,” he did encourage people to educate themselves by watching Rachel’s explanation. “This is bigger than HB. This is a societal problem,” Tyler added.

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Katie Morton Reacts to Hannah Brown Using the N-Word

Katie Morton

The Bachelor in Paradise babe issued a lengthy written statement on her Instagram Story and confessed: “This situation, at one point in my life, was an everyday occurrence.” Katie added she hopes “change and understanding” will be the ultimate goals before praising Rachel’s video educating people on the history of the N-word.

“This is yet again another opportunity for us to grow. We can be better as a whole,” Katie wrote. “I truly believe that.”

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Ashley Spivey and Reality Steve Talk About Hannah Brown Using the N Word

Ashley Spivey

The franchise alum had a chat with Reality Steve over the situation. Ashley theorized that Hannah “doesn’t understand the power behind her platform.” She added, “It’s not black people’s jobs to explain why you can’t use that word.”

Reality Steve said that Hannah should not have taken “over 12 hours to address it.”

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Cassie Randolph Responds to Hannah Brown Saying the N Word

Cassie Randolph

The girlfriend of Colton Underwood released a lengthy written message on her Instagram Story. “There is never an excuse for a non-black person to utter that word, and I don’t think there is an American in 2020 that doesn’t know this,” the grad student said.

Cassie clarified she didn’t think Hannah’s “intentions” were to be “hurtful,” and praised Katie Morton and Rachel Lindsay’s reaction to the incident. “I think it’s important as people that we are always learning and growing — and using whatever platform we have responsibly,” the Bachelor alum noted.

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Bachelor in Paradise Star Taylor Nolan Wears Black Jeans White Lace Top and Leather Jacket

Taylor Nolan

The Bachelor in Paradise star admitted she’s “not surprised” by what happened and felt personally “triggered.” She explained, “I have repeatedly had the word personally used against me throughout my life, in. A way to belittle me, make me feel less than and frankly to de-humanize me to justify treating me like s—t.”

Taylor hopes Bachelor Nation can “show up as an ally” and reminded her followers that “words carry weight.”