‘I DID? I’M SO SORRY’
Bachelorette alum Hannah Brown apologizes for singing N-word in IG video
Hannah Brown didn’t blame it on DaBaby, but she’s sorry she said it.
The former Bachelorette star has apologized after she sang the N-word on Instagram this past weekend, while belting lyrics to a rap song.
“I owe you all a major apology,” she said, addressing the controversy that erupted after she sang along with DaBaby’s Rockstar in a now-deleted clip from her Instagram page.
“There is no excuse, and
I will not justify what I said. I have read your messages and seen the hurt that 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.”
Before issuing the lengthy reply, Brown — who also took home the mirror ball trophy on Season 28 of Dancing With the Stars — back-pedalled for saying the word after followers called her out in the comments section of her Instagram page.
“I did? I’m so sorry … No, I was singing … I’m so sorry,” she said.
Mike Johnson, who competed for Brown’s affection on Season 15 of The Bachelorette, spoke out on the incident, telling TMZ that her singing the word was “unacceptable.”
“She shouldn’t have said the N-word,” Brown told TMZ. “It’s pretty damn simple to me.”
Brown’s ex Tyler Cameron, with whom she was quarantining in Florida earlier this spring, spoke out on the controversy, saying he hoped it could be a learning moment for the embattled star.
“In these moments, you have the opportunity to bury someone or lift them up. We need to lift HB up from this. 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.”
Rachel Lindsay, the franchise’s first black lead, also spoke out. “I’m personally offended by what was done,” she said.
But she hinted she wasn’t satisfied with Brown’s apology.
“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.”
Sources told Variety that Brown and Lindsay did connect prior to the latter’s Instagram rant.
“I understand that an apology was made, but when I know what could have been done, when I know what I challenged someone to do … they refused to do it, or they did not do it,” Lindsay added.
Bekah Martinez, who competed on Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s season of the show, also weighed in by issuing a statement to her Instagram Story.
“How are people still gonna defend CELEBS with SOOO much access to privilege, knowledge, and education saying the N-word,” Martinez wrote. “Even if it’s ‘just the lyrics to a song.’ ”
Nick Viall, who was featured in Season 21 of The Bachelor, chimed in, saying it was “deeply disappointing to see.”
“There is no excuse. Period,” he added.
Brown’s post-reality-show life hasn’t been without other controversies. Earlier this spring, fans criticized her for sharing bikini-clad photos as the coronavirus pandemic began to spread.
“Just trying to spread some love here rather than fear, not making light of the situation,” she responded.
In related Bachelor news, the long-running reality series will return next month with a new spinoff, The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever!
Over 10 weeks, host Chris Harrison will take viewers on a trip down memory lane, revisiting standout moments from past seasons.