On February 4, just a few days after James defended her, photos of Kirkconnell at a plantation-themed party in 2018 appeared on Twitter. Her cousin told The Sun the pictures were real and "hard to defend."
Harrison went on "Extra" to speak about the controversy with Rachel Lindsay, the first Black Bachelorette, and asked that people show Kirkconnell "grace." This stirred up its own controversy.
Kirkconnell then posted her own statement on Instagram, apologizing for the photos.
"While there have been rumors circulating, there have also been truths that have come to light that I need to address. I hear you, and I'm here to say I was wrong," it said.
"My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not OK or acceptable in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist," it added.
While James didn't directly comment on Kirkconnell, he did support Lindsay on Instagram. "Your advocacy of BIPOC people in the franchise is invaluable, I stand with you and the rest of the women advocating for change and accountability," he said.