Kaitlyn Bristowe hits back at critics of Bachelorette hosting gig with Tayshia Adams

On Friday ABC confirmed that longtime Bachelor host Chris Harrison would not be hosting Season 17 of The Bachelorette amid his ongoing racial controversy. 

Instead it was revealed that fan-favorite alums Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams would be taking his place for hosting duties on the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, which caused quite the stir among longtime Harrison supporters. 

A giddy Bristowe had no time for haters in her Instagram comments after posting a video of she and Adams to usher in a new era, quickly shutting down trolls who took issue with the replacement. 

Before ABC’s statement was obtained by Variety on Friday, fans began to grow weary that Harrison would be making an appearance on the upcoming season after it was announced the cast and crew were already quarantining in New Mexico and he was nowhere to be seen. 

He had stepped side last month following his defense of current Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell and her racially insensitive past that included resurfaced photos from a plantation themed fraternity party, and testimonies that she had bullied girls in highschool for liking Black guys. 

The network announced that in an effort to ‘continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion’ on the show, Harrison’s swift return would not be the right move, adding that he was ‘committed’ to doing the work mentioned in his apology. 

‘We are dedicated to improving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks. These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world,’ an excerpt from the statement read. 

Adams and Bristowe were tapped in the interim — both former Bachelorettes beloved by fans — but the network did make it clear that these were temporary positions, leaving the door open for him to return down the line in what they called a ‘wait-and-see’ type approach. 

Despite the semantics of it all, Bristowe posted a celebratory black and white photo of she and Adams dancing and drinking wine with the caption ‘let’s go girls.’

Among many excited comments from the likes of alums Hannah Brown, Joelle Fletcher and even DWTS competitor Chrishell Stause, there were just as many critical ones, echoing the sentiments of many who feel that the show will not be the same without the veteran host 

Kaitlyn took time to respond to a handful of the comments, some accusing her video of celebrating cancel culture and other petty ones about how this season would have the lowest ratings ever.  

One distressed troll wrote ‘Love you Kaitlyn but no, just no,’ prompting her to inquire if she was being show any love at all.

Another wrote ‘Horrible to celebrate Chris Harrison being involved in cancel culture…Bachelor Nation is over,’ to which Bristowe clarified that she was ‘celebrating friendship’ in the video. 

Yet another took a stab at the lack of interest from fans this season in Harrison’s absence writing that the ratings would be ‘so low,’ to which the podcast host clapped back ‘such a supportive female, we love to see it!’

And one more tried to start a dialogue with the Canadian born reality star saying that Chris would always be the ‘only host’ for the franchise and it would ultimately ‘suffer’ from the decision. 

She tried to ease that follower by saying: ‘We are there to support the new Bachelorette. We aren’t ‘replacing’ anyone!!!’ 

An excited Adams had also posted a video getting hyped up for the experience where she wrote ‘Bachelorette 17 Let’s freakin GOOO!’

The ladies are said to be on site at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa where they began their mandatory quarantine along with the cast and the crew.

Though the network has not publicly announced the lead for the season, blogger Reality Steve reported that Katie Thurston — a 30-year-old contestant on Matt James’ current Bachelor season – has been tapped for the role. 

Adams and Bristowe are not the first temporary replacement since Harrison’s departure, as former NFL player Emmanuel Acho — who found fame for his series Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man — is hosting the After the Final Rose.

That announcement was also met with outrage from longtime Harrison supporters on social media.  

Bachelor Nation came to a screeching halt last month when Harrison defended Kirkconnell — who is in James’ top two for a proposal — in conversation with first Black bachelorette Rachel Lindsay.  

Lindsay asked Chris about the resurfaced photos of Kirkconnell saying it ‘wasn’t a good look, to which he responded ‘Well, Rachel, is it a good look in 2018? Or, is it not a good look in 2021? Because there’s a big difference,’ later adding, ‘I am not the woke police.’   

Harrison issued an apology on social media following outrage for his remarks in which he said he was ‘deeply remorseful,’ while acknowledging his ‘ignorance,’ calling himself ‘uniformed’ and ‘so wrong.’

He ultimately said, ‘To that end, I have consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and will be stepping aside for a period of time.’ 

Kirkconnell also spoke out about her past behavior following Harrison’s statement, saying in an excerpt: ‘I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were but that doesn’t excuse them…I was ignorant but my ignorance was racist.’ 

Adams had also shared that she thought Chris’ decision to step aside was the right move, being of Black and Mexican descent herself. 

‘I think that by him taking ownership, and just not just saying an apology and then just going back to work the next day like nothing happened, speaks volumes on his behalf,’ she shared, calling his exit ‘absolutely’ the right move. 

Adams was last season’s Bachelorette after she replaced Clare Crawley who all but blew up the franchise in a few short weeks, deciding to only pursue her now on-off fiance Dale Moss. Her love story ended in a proposal from Zac Clark.  

Lindsay — who has removed herself from any and all association with the show — expressed outrage over the fact that ABC has continued to move forward with the next iteration of the series in New Mexico. 

Speaking on the Bachelor Party podcast she said: ‘I just don’t think that things have been fixed in the right way. Anybody that’s standing up for change, I don’t understand how you could be a part of this current season, because…there is still so much work to be done.’