Chris Harrison Steps Away From 'The Bachelor' 📺

The Bachelor has had a week filled with controversy.

Longtime host, Chris Harrison, recently decided to take some time away from the hit ABC show after defending Rachael Kirkconnell's resurfaced photos of her attending a plantation party in 2018.

The Bachelorette fan-favorite couple, Rachel Lindsay and Bryan Abasolo, are speaking out on the show's diversity and Chris' controversial interview with Rachel on Extra.

"One of my biggest things for coming through as the first Black Bachelorette... the first black lead, period, was that I wanted to make sure that it didn't stop with me. We have to keep going," Rachel Lindsay said.

"They can definitely be more inclusive with Asians, Indians, you name it. We want more inclusion of all races and we want representation," Bryan Abasolo said.

The Women Of 'The Bachelor' Speak Out ⬇️

While Chris Harrison is taking time away from The Bachelor, this season's contestants are speaking out to ensure diversity and inclusivity are prioritized at ABC.

"The events that happened this week show that we still have a ways to go. We saw the women from Matt James' season put out a statement. I haven't had a chance to speak about that. That moved me. I was literally brought to tears because it's about the message. This is why I wanted to keep going. For these women, who are currently under contract, who are currently on-air, to fearlessly say,

'We're going to take the time to put a statement to come together and say, 'We stand alongside you and the message and the initiative that you're trying to push forward. We agree with you.'

It was everything," Lindsay said.

The Abasolo's are also focusing their time on philanthropic efforts, including the #Nicklaus4Kids campaign, which launched on February 16th. The couple is asking for donations to raise funds and awareness for Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

You can learn more about the #Nicklaus4Kids campaign in our #GivingCarpet TV segment with Rachel and Bryan next weekend on Advocate Channel. For local TV listings, click here.