What did Chris Harrison say to Rachel Lindsay?
KATIE Thurston's season of The Bachelorette is set to blast off tonight, and longtime host Chris Harrison will not be featured in it. On March 12, ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon made announced Harrison will be replaced by former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will fill in the role. Harrison came under fire after he defended Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell in an interview with Rachel Lindsay on February 9. Midway through Matt James' Bachelor season, Kirkconnell came under fire after photos of her at an antebellum plantation-themed party in college leaked online. In the February 9 interview with Lindsay - the first Black lead in franchise Bachelorette history - Harrison said: We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion. Because I've seen some stuff online again, this 'judge, jury, executioner' thing where people are just tearing this girl's life apart. 4 On March 12, ABC and Warner Horizon announced Chris Harrison will not host the upcoming Bachelorette season Credit: Getty Images - Getty  And diving intoher parents voting record...it's unbelievably alarming to watch this! "I haven't heard Rachael speak on this yet, and until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say [anything]?  Harrison issued a statement on February 13 saying he would be "stepping aside for a period of time." "The historic season of The Bachelor should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions," the statement read. Adding: I am dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before.  4 Katie Thurston's season of The Bachelorette will premiere on Monday, June 7 Credit: Getty  On March 12, ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon announced in a statement that Harrison "will not be hosting the next season of 'The Bachelorette.'" "We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing," the statement read. Former Bachelorettes Adams and Bristowe "will support the new Bachelorette through next season." On Tuesday, June 8, Harrison confirmed he was exiting the show to "start a new chapter." "Im so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories weve made together," he wrote on Instagram. Past photos of Georgia native Kirkconnell were labeled as offensive when dug up as she can be seen wearing a Native American costume. The ensemble included a beaded feathered headpiece and matching brown fringe dress. She was also slammed by fans for 2018 photos of the contestant which show her attending a controversial "Old South" party. The bash is described as an antebellum plantation-themed ball by the college fraternity that throws it, Kappa Alpha. 4 The Bachelor Rachael Kirkconnell contestant has found herself in hot water over some resurfaced photos of her at a controversial 'antebellum' party Credit: Instagram  Kappa Alpha has been criticized as "racist due to its embrace of Confederate General Robert E. Lee as its spiritual leader.  On February 25, Rachael took to Instagram to discuss the controversy in a lengthy video. She previously released a written statement apologizing for her past actions. The 24-year-old admitted she was "tired" of "not saying anything" through the ongoing outrage. The Bachelor contestant told viewers, If you are in my comments or anywhere defending me or telling people that I did nothing wrong or that there is nothing to be hurt or offended about, please stop. Thats not our place to tell people what they can and cant be offended about. That's wrong and thats part of the problem so stop saying I did nothing wrong, thats not true. If you really want to support me then encourage me to do better.  Kirkconnell added she was "going to post some resources" she used or "planned on using because the learning never stops." She said she was hesitant in the past to post links or resources because she didn't "want people thinking its performative or not something I really stand by.  MORE ON THE BACHELOR DOUBLE THE CUTENESS The Bachelor's Lauren Burnham & Arie Luyendyk Jr welcome twins NANA SAYS NO! Bachelor Colton Underwood's 'picky' grandma helps him find men on Tinder 'YOU MAD?' Thurston's season of The Bachelorette will kick off Monday, June 7, at 8pm on ABC. Spoiler King Reality Steve has already revealed some juicy details on who will be Thurston's final four. According to Reality Steve, Blake Moynes, Greg Grippo, Justin Glaze and Andrew Spencer will be Thurston's final four.