Bachelor Nation Stars React to Hannah Brown Saying the N-Word

Hannah Brown has received backlash for singing the N-word on an Instagram live and now members of Bachelor Nation have weighed in.

By Derek Scancarelli May 18, 2020 1:15 AMTags
Watch: Hannah Brown Reflects on "Bachelorette" 1 Year Later

The Bachelorette star Hannah Brown is facing serious backlash after sharing video of herself singing the N-word. And now, members of Bachelor Nation are weighing in.

During an Instagram live yesterday, the 25-year-old reality star dropped the slur while rapping along to DaBaby song "Rockstar."

As time progressed through the live broadcast, Brown began to notice criticism for using the word from fans in the comments. "I did? I'm so sorry..." Brown said. "I was singing the—I'm so sorry."

At one point, she even suggested it may have been her brother, Patrick Brown. When viewers continued to confront her, Brown addressed it again.

"I really don't think I said that word," she said. "I don't think I said that word, but now I'm like, oh god. I'd never use that word. I've never called anybody that. We don't say that word....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."

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Behind the Scenes of Hannah Brown's Season of The Bachelorette

Following the backlash and criticism surrounding her actions on social media, Brown took to her Instagram Stories to address the situation.

"I owe you all a major apology," the reality TV personality's statement on Instagram Stories began. "There is no excuse and I will not justify what I said. 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."

Even with the apology, many members of Bachelor Nation are sounding off on the controversy. Take a look at who is speaking out in our gallery below

Ashley Iaconetti & Ben Higgins

"You don't say the word. You don't say it," Iaconetti said on the Almost Famous podcast. "People will say that this should be an educational moment, but to me, I just feel like people know this from a very young age...I shouldn't speak for anybody else, but I think it's very naive to think that she doesn't know that that's a word that she shouldn't be using." 

"I would agree," Ben Higgins added, noting the straightforward, important advice: "Think before you speak."

Becca Tilley

"I think this is such an opportunity for us to learn and have conversations with each other. I don't think that Hannah Brown is a malicious person," she said on the Scrubbing In podcast. "I don't think it was done with malicious intent. But, this should be and I assume will be a huge growing experience and learning experience for her. I think that what Rachel Lindsay posted was very eloquent. I learned from it…I don't think there was any justification in what happened, but I don't think she did it in a way of meaning to hurt people, but I do think that it's wrong." 

She further clarified, "By no means do I think that Hannah Brown needs to be canceled."

Mike Johnson

"What Hannah did was unacceptable. Issues like this bring light to the bridge of pop culture and racism within our country," he told TMZ, adding, "I'm inviting her and everyone to a conversation, in hopes to educate everyone that this type of behavior needs to be changed and is unacceptable. My aim is that in this moment we don't divide, we come together, learn from this and create change for the better."

Taylor Nolan

"Ya'll know what is wrong here, I don't need to break it down. ⁣⁣⁣I will say this...this is an opportunity for white people, especially those in bachelor nation, to practice being an ally to black people. It is an opportunity for you to hold other white people accountable when they're not living or acting in a way that is anti-racist, to educate them and to educate yourselves on how to be an ally. Being an ally is a practice, and I'm going to call on you today to put that into practice," the Let's Talk About It podcast host wrote in part on Instagram. "Words carry weight. Words are powerful. Be intentional and thoughtful with the words you use, even in what you think is a playful settings, because your words matter. ⁣⁣⁣So, #bachelornation, how are you going to show up as an ally?⁣⁣⁣" 

Tyler Cameron

"This is about using your platform for reasons like this," the Bachelor Nation member wrote on Instagram Stories while sharing a screenshot of someone who sent him a DM sounding shocked that not "everyone" can use the N-word. "So we can educate those who don't get it. This is bigger than HB. This is a societal problem."

Tyler added, "HB is not racist. I know. But blaming the rap artist is not the answer. Educate yourself and listen to what Rachel Lindsay has to say about the word Bitch and hopefully it'll start to click for you." 

Rachel Lindsay

In an Instagram video, The Bachelorette star explained why non-black people should not be using the slur. "I never wanted to speak on this, I never wanted to say anything, I'm honestly tired of feeling like I have to speak because other people won't," she shared. "I'm personally offended by what was done... to start from the beginning, last night when everything popped off, I didn't see it but I woke up to a bunch of messages today, basically telling me what happened, so I tried to do something a little different. I thought instead of me dragging her, which is what people wanted me to do, and I'm not necessarily in the business of doing that.. I thought, let me just pull out a verse from the Bible. The Bible says in Matthew 18:15 that when you feel offended, you should go to that person and let them know that they offended. So I did that, I thought, you know what, let me just speak to the person directly and let them know how I'm feeling."

Ashley Spivey

"It's not black people's jobs to explain why you can't use that word," The Bachelor star said in a chat with Reality Steve. She also urged followers to watch Rachel Lindsay's video for more understanding. 

Corinne Olympios

An E! News Instagram post featured a quote from Rachel Lindsay reacting to the controversy. "When you're bold enough to say the N-word on camera...then you need to be bold enough to use your face on camera and apologize the same way you said the word," she said. Corinne would comment with the clapping emoji. 

Matt James

On Sunday afternoon, the "Quarantine Crew" member posted an Instagram story of himself getting ready for a run, with the text, "Let's spread love today." The photo also featured the text, "John 8:7," a reference to a bible verse, positioned next to a bee emoji. The bible verse in question, reads, in part, "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."

Bekah Martinez

"How are celebs still gonna defend CELEBS with access to SOOO much privilege, knowledge and education saying the N-word...even if it's "just the lyrics to a song?" the 25-year-old wrote in a statement on Instagram Stories. "Especially when that person had the wherewithal to skip over the F-word lyric first. We've GOT to hold people accountable to do better otherwise we're continuing to prioritize the feeling of white people (and some we 'stan') over ending our country's loooong history of casual racism and flippant anti-blackness."

Nick Viall

On Instagram Stories, The Bachelor star said he plans to process Hannah's actions before truly giving a statement, but shared his "initial thought is that it's deeply disappointing to see."

"Listen, Hannah Brown has a massive platform. She has been very outspoken about her desire to be a role model specifically to young women out there. She has talked about it a lot. ‘When I was a young girl, this. When I was a young girl, that.' And quite frankly, her going on Instagram Live—whether she was inebriated or not—and using that word in any context whatsoever is not being a role model," Nick later said in an exclusive sneak peek from The Viall Files podcast. "Certainly not a good one. And she has to be held to a high standard. We all do. And it is very disappointing to see. Honestly, her initial response was disappointing." 

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