'Bachelorette' Rachel Lindsay Deletes Instagram Due to Harassment from 'Bachelor' Fans

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay has taken a step back from Instagram, deleting her account amid harassment from Bachelor fans. Her Higher Learning co-host Van Lathan revealed the news in a video posted on his Instagram. "Rachel Lindsay disabled her Instagram earlier today. She did it because that's how much hate she's getting from Bachelor fans who are spamming her with all kinds of rude and hateful things," Lathan says in his clip, making sure to add that "Rachel is not responsible for Chris Harrison."

"A 49-year-old man who can't read the room in these present 2021 times," he continued. "She's not responsible for that. It's not her job to make excuses or provide cover for someone who doesn't understand what the f–– triggers people in today's world." He closed his message to the former Bachelorette saying it's just "The Bachelor and it's not worth harassing somebody over."

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Lindsay's husband Bryan Abasolo also sent some words of encouragement to his wife. "I love you, I appreciate you, I believe in you and I just wanted to let you know how proud of you I am. Keep going and never stop being you and fighting for what's right," he shared, along with a photo of the two.

Lindsay recently started receiving backlash after she conducted an interview with long-time Bachelor host Chris Harrison, in which she asked him a question regarding the new information discovered about contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's previous racist actions. Harrison seemingly defended Kirkconnell at first, asking if the contestant's actions were only appalling due to the current times we live in.

Harrison later apologized for his words. "I took a stance on topics about which I should have been better informed," his Feb. 10 statement read. "While I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering her an opportunity to speak on her own behalf. What I now realize I have done is cause harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism, and for that, I am so deeply sorry." In addition to his apology, the host also announced he would be stepping away from the show for a brief period. Though, it's now speculated he may be walking away for good.

Sources close to ABC have sparked rumors that Harrison might not return to the show. "It's only a matter of time before an announcement is made that Chris isn't returning," the source told The Sun. "At this point, it's not if, it's when. There are still talks of keeping him as an executive producer. But unless Chris somehow turns this around, his role on-camera is done." ABC has yet to confirm or deny.