Rachel Lindsay Quits 'Bachelor' Podcast Following Chris Harrison Racism Scandal, Admits She's Been 'Struggling'
Rachel Lindsay is saying goodbye to her Bachelor Happy Hour podcast months after the Chris Harrison racism scandal sent shock waves through Bachelor Nation.
The former Bachelorette announced her departure on Tuesday, April 27, at the end of the podcast's 99th episode.
"I'm going to make this short and sweet: All good things must come to an end. And I feel like certain things run their course, and for me, I have run my course when it comes to the podcast," she told her listeners.
"You know we started off this podcast talking about how much fun it is, and it is, and the community that we've started, and we're already here with 100 episodes, and I'm proud of it and what it's become," Lindsay said to co-host Becca Kufrin, before recalling her time with original co-host Ali Fedotowsky.
"It started off with Ali, who's fantastic. I feel like I don't give her enough praise," she said.
Lindsay then praised her time with Kufrin, reflecting on how she had a "lot of fun" seeing their "friendship grow through the podcast."
Lindsay continued: "Just to have fun with all the new blood that's coming in from the show to work through hard moments, to come here and vent when we're going through something, like that's what the podcast gives you, that community."
In recent months, Lindsay has been met with harsh harassment online since sharing her outspoken thoughts on the Harrison racism controversy. The online bullying got so bad at the height of the scandal that she deactivated her Instagram account for a period of time.
"I've been struggling, that's no secret," the 36-year-old admitted on the podcast, adding that she has to leave her hosting duties for her own mental health.
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"It's been really, really hard for me lately. And a lot of the things that we talk about on this podcast are also about taking care of yourself and finding your peace and protecting that peace and protecting your mental health," Lindsay concluded. "And so for me, I just feel like I've come to the end of doing the podcast, and I'm glad that I'm leaving on a high note where it's the 100th episode. It's such a big milestone."
Lindsay will officially sign off after the podcast's milestone 100th episode. The new host to replace her will be announced at a later date, according to a press release.
Lindsay's exit does not come as a shock to many. The lawyer previously said she "had enough" of the Bachelor Franchise earlier this year following the scandal surrounding Harrison and Matt James' front runner contestant Rachael Kirkconnell.
As OK! reported, tension in Bachelor Nation began to rise after Lindsay and Harrison addressed Kirkconnell's past racially charged social media posts during an interview in February. In the photos — which resurfaced online while James' season was airing — Kirkconnell was seen attending a plantation-themed party and dressing as a Native American.
During their interview, Harrison urged Bachelor Nation to offer Kirkconnell "a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion." He also questioned the "lens" of 2021 compared to that of 2018, the year Kirkconnell attended the antebellum party.
Days later, Lindsay slammed the long-time host and announced her plan to quit the Franchise at the end of her contract.
"I can't take it anymore," the reality star said on her other podcast, Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay. "I'm contractually bound in some ways, but when it's up, I am, too. I can't. I can't do it anymore."
Although she was grateful to have met her now-husband, Bryan Abasolo, Lindsay admitted that she's "f**king tired" and her time with the franchise is over.
