February 02, 2021 • bachelor insider
Rachel Lindsay Commends Bachelor Matt James for Sending Problematic Contestants Home
She loves to see it! On the latest episode of “Bachelor Happy Hour,” Rachel Lindsay applauded Matt James for eliminating problematic contestants — namely, Queen Victoria Larson and Anna Redman — on the February 1 installment of “The Bachelor” Season 25.
“I was shocked. I just knew he was going to give that last rose to Victoria! And he didn’t, so kudos to Matt for that,” Rachel told her Bachelor Nation podcast co-host, Becca Kufrin. “Victoria, I’ve never seen anything like [her] and I don’t want to see it again.”
Up to this point in the series, Victoria’s behavior has included cutting remarks and polarizing antics such as her decision to snatch former Miss Puerto Rico Catalina Morales’ tiara from the pageant queen’s head and crown herself instead. (Catalina was also sent home by Matt during Week 5.)
“I think [Victoria] thought things were going to go a certain way. I think she thought, ‘Hmm, maybe I’ll be a Corinne [Olympios]. Maybe I’ll be a Demi [Burnett],’” Rachel continued, referring to beloved “villains” within the Bachelor franchise. “No, at the end of the day, [Victoria is] just mean. She’s just a mean girl.”
As viewers witnessed during Monday night’s episode, Matt specifically confronted Victoria about accusations that she called contestant Ryan Claytor a “ho” for her work as a dancer and choreographer.
“Matt questions her about using the word ‘ho’ and he’s like, ‘What concept of being called a ho is acceptable to be taken in?’ I was like, ‘Great question, Matt,’” Rachel continued. “And what did Victoria have for him? Nothing, no answers.”
Matt also took action by sending Anna home earlier in the night after learning she was the source behind hurtful rumors aimed at Brittany Galvin. Anna made unfounded claims that Brittany is an “escort” and is “entertaining men for money” in Chicago, where both women reside. Victoria and MJ Snyder also notably engaged in the gossip.
“I was really, really happy to see him take charge. I was happy to see it,” Rachel said. “He made a statement when he sent Anna home. He made a statement, basically saying, ‘I stand behind Britt. This is unacceptable. You’re ruining this woman’s life.’ Whether it’s true or not, don’t talk about things you don’t know. Don’t talk about things you haven’t seen and don’t talk about things you haven’t heard, period.”
While she was delighted to see Anna eliminated, Rachel urged “Bachelor Happy Hour” listeners to resist sending hateful messages her way.
“Nobody agrees with what she did. We know it was wrong,” the Season 13 Bachelorette said. “I hope she’s OK, because she’s going to get a lot of heat. And I don’t know what it’s like to get that much criticism. She’s universally disliked at the moment. We know she was wrong. We know it was tacky. We know it was inappropriate. It was handled in the correct way. Matt sent her home. And let’s just leave it alone. We don’t have to hear about Anna and her rumors again.”
Listen to this week’s edition of “Bachelor Happy Hour” below.
"The Bachelor" airs Mondays on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.