Matt James, Emmanuel Acho, Becca Kufrin.Photo: Billy Kidd/Getty Images; Cindy Ord/Getty Images; Jim Spellman/Getty Images
Bachelorfranchise stars are showing their support for Emmanuel Acho, who has been tapped tohost the upcomingAfter the Final Rosespecial.
On Saturday, two weeks after longtime hostChris Harrisonannounced that he would be"stepping aside for a period of time," ABC announced that Acho, 30, will be stepping in to discuss the outcome of the current season starringMatt James, the franchise’s first Black lead.
“IT’S OFFICIAL: I’ve accepted the Rose and am honored to be hosting the@bachelorabcAfter the Final Rose this year,” Acho, a former NFL player and bestselling author ofUncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,wroteon social media.
During the special, Acho will sit down with James to talk about the reality star’s “season, his final decision and where he is now, as well as cover the current events about the franchise,” according to a press release.
Matt James.Emmanuel Ancho/Instagram
Rachel Lindsay’s husbandBryan Abasoloalso offered up his own praise, writing, “Happy for your bro! I have no doubt you will do a fantastic job!”
“My brother. We’re family, thank u!” Ocho replied.
Prior to the news of Ocho’s casting, Lindsay,The Bachelorette’s first Black lead,deactivated her Instagram accountdue to the harassment she’s received amid the ongoing controversy about how racism has been addressed within theBachelorfranchise.
In an interview with PEOPLE earlier this month, Lindsay and her husband previously suggested that Acho would be the “perfect person” to step in.
“[He’s] very outspoken about racial injustice, for social justice, and has pretty much been the person who said, ‘I can have these uncomfortable conversations, and people trust it.’ Who better to lead it?” the former Bachelorette said. “[He’s] someone who’s not involved with the franchise, no ties, no bias — I think it’d be great.”
Added Abasolo, “I think it would really be a positive step forward.”
RELATED VIDEO: Bachelor’s Rachael Kirkconnell Urges People Defending Her Past Racist Actions to ‘Please Stop’
FormerBacheloretteBecca Kufrinshowed support for Ocho as well on Saturday, writing, “Best news, so happy for you!”
MeanwhileMike Johnson, who has said Harrison should “be removed” from the franchise, replied to Ocho’s post with a string of celebratory emojis.
“Congrats” added formerBachelorNick ViallwhileIvan Hall, a contestant onTayshia Adams' season, wrote, “Welcome my fellow Dallasite.”
Becca Kufrin.
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Earlier this month, Lindsay interviewed Harrison forExtra, and asked him about current contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s resurfaced social media posts that showed racist behavior, including attending an Antebellum South-themed party and wearing Native American attire as a costume. (Kirkconnell has since issued anapologyand earlier this week asked those defending her actions to “please stop.")
Harrison quickly received backlash for his failure to denounce Kirkconnell’s acts of racism andapologizeda couple of days later before announcing he will be “stepping aside” from the franchise for an unspecified amount of time.
The Bachelor: After the Final Rosewill air on Monday, March 15 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC, immediately following the season finale ofThe Bachelor.
source: people.com
