Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the new season of The Bachelorette has stopped production and no one knows when the show will return.
Thanks to Hannah Brown, however, fans of this franchise are not lacking for content to discuss at the moment.
We just didn't expect to be talking about THIS sort of content...
On Saturday night, Brown filmed an Instagram Live video in which she mostly tried to remember the lyrics to DaBaby's "Rockstar."
At one point, the reality stars belts out a few lines ... and then hesitates a bit when she arrives at the N-word, which is dropped at one point int he track.
After said moment of hesitation, though, Brown goes ahead and says this epithet.
And, almost immediately, the backlash against the former ABC personality ramped up to extreme levels across social media.
Made aware of the controversy after seeing many of these critical Instagram comments, Brown tried to apologize and/or walk back what happened while still filming her Live session.
"I'm so sorry... No, I was singing... I'm so sorry... I don't think... Maybe I did [say it], maybe it was Patrick [Brown's brother]. Um, anyway," Brown laughs online, adding:
"I really don't think I said that word, 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."
Eventually, after realizing that she had really stepped in it, Brown issued a formal mea culpa on Instagram.
"I owe you all a major apology," she wrote.
"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."
Despite this apology, the use of the N-word is such an understandably sensitive topic that Brown's uttering of it has generated quite a few responses from members of Bachelor Nation.
Rachel Lindsay, the first African-American to star as The Bachelorette, had plenty to say about what happened.
"I hate that I have to do this. I never wanted to speak on this. I never wanted to say anything," she wrote, uncomfortable with speaking on behalf of her entire race.
"I’m honestly tired of feeling like I have to be the one to speak because other people won’t," Lindsay added, saying she reached out to Brown on Sunday to say she was "personally hurt and offended."
Lindsay said that she hoped Brown would record another video and really address the issue, explaining that she was disappointed overall with Hannah's apology.
“It’s easy to make a statement, it’s easy to hide behind words, but when you’re bold enough to say the N-word on camera, on your platform … then you need to be bold enough to use your face on camera and apologize in the same way that you said the word,” the season 13 Bachelorette continued.
“I’m not discrediting the apology I’m just saying we can’t give people a pass for this.
"You have to hold people accountable for what they’re doing.”
Tyler Cameron, meanwhile, who has dated Brown and knows her pretty well, both defended Hannah as a person and came down hard on what she said.
“Rachel hit the nail on the head,” Cameron captioned his post.
“Y’all need to go look at the comments. We have a long ways to go on this issue and a lot to learn. If you find yourself getting defensive, you are part of the problem. This is not about dragging HB.
"This is about using your platform for reasons like this. So we can educate those who don’t get it. This is bigger than HB. This is a societal problem.”
Cameron proceeded to state that Hannah is "not racist," but:
"Blaming the rap artist is not the answer. Educate yourself and listen to what Rachel has to say about the word Bitch and hopefully it’ll start to click for you.”
As you can see above, Tyler also encouraged critics now to bury Hannah for good and to say that she is "leaning and growing just like every single one of us."
Bekah Martinez, a former Bachelorette herself, was far harsher toward Hannah.
“You can’t say the N-word because black people say it," Martinez said.
"Black people reclaimed the use of a word that was used for centuries to oppress and dehumanize them. …
"So no, it’s not cool to just sing it along the lyrics of a song especially not ON YOUR PLATFORM WITH MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS?!! smh.
"it’s 2020. at least make a legitimate apology and acknowledge your behavior.”
Mike Johnson, who competed on Hannah's season, offered his opinion as follows:
She shouldn’t have said the N-word. It’s pretty damn simple to me. I haven’t seen the video.
I would like to see the video.
But people, don’t come at me like I’m watching everything that’s going on between my cast members on the show.
Finally, Nick Viall, who never lacks for a take, responded with these thoughts:
"There is no excuse. Period. Super sad and disappointing to see.”
No word yet from Chris Harrison or any higher-up at ABC.
But we have a feeling we may be hearing from them soon.
