Hannah Brown has been cast as America’s sweetheart -- albeit in reality TV style -- but the Alabama native’s image was tarnished this weekend after she filmed herself saying the N-word.
The “Bachelorette” star, 25, faced backlash on social media after she posted an Instagram Live video of herself on Saturday, singing the lyrics to DaBaby’s “Rockstar.” In the video, Brown appears hesitant when she gets to the racial slur, but sings it anyway.
After some of her 2.8 million followers -- evidently watching live on Instagram -- expressed outrage in the comments, Brown responded in a confused and giggly way, saying she didn’t realize she was saying that word. “I did? I’m so sorry,” Brown said, smiling widely into the camera. “I was singing this ... I’m so sorry. ... Maybe it was Patrick. Um, anyway.” (Patrick is the name of Brown’s brother.)
A woman in the background can be heard saying, “That wasn’t you. ... I don’t think that you said that.”
The video has been removed from Brown’s Instagram, but it remains on social media, captured by folks who took Brown to task for her insensitivity and the giggly nature of her initial apology.
On Sunday, Brown posted another apology (text only) on Instagram Stories, saying, “I owe you all a major apology. 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.”
"Bachelorette" star Hannah Brown offered this apology on Instagram after followers slammed her for singing the N-word.(Instagram screenshot)
Anger continues to erupt Sunday on social media, as “Bachelorette” fans and others blast Brown for her actions. Some have said Brown appears drunk in the video, but aren’t giving her a pass because of it.
This was my reaction too. Like wtf? You say it so often and so casually that you don’t even realize when you said it??
— Bellamy (@BachFan10) May 17, 2020
IF 👏🏼YOU👏🏼CAN’T👏🏼SING👏🏼THE👏🏼SONG👏🏼WITHOUT👏🏼SKIPPING👏🏼THAT👏🏼WORD👏🏼THEN👏🏼DON’T👏🏼SING👏🏼IT👏🏼AT👏🏼ALL👏🏼 Hannah Brown From "The Bachelorette" Said The N-Word On Instagram Live And Her Apology Sucks https://t.co/BTmcihett7
— Courtney (@putUincespence) May 17, 2020
We were rooting for you @hannahbrown but the N word with a hard “er” at the end coming from a southern girl is not a good look at all. Smh. #BachNation #HannahB pic.twitter.com/QlDf7eao4G
— Bachelor(ette) Rants (@TheBachRants) May 17, 2020
Hannah Brown apologizing on her instagram story is weak. People really need to learn it is never justified or okay say a racial slur in the name of "singing along" to a song.
— Lauren (@laur_mariex3) May 17, 2020
Never okay in any circumstance.
GROSS @hannahbrown and the fact that you laughed your way through the “apology.” Hope all your sponsors drop you. https://t.co/FasNu8YEJQ
— Esther 🇹🇿🇷🇼 (@EstherMwiza) May 17, 2020
I guarantee you if Hannah Brown said the n word while drunk she definitely says it sober too ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pretty disturbing she giggled while “apologizing” immediately after
— Emily Mills (@emilymillshesa) May 17, 2020
I knew I wasnt a fan of Hannah browns when she was on the bachelor and bachelorette. Now i dislike her even more and ready for her fame to be up! I’m sorry just because it is a song lyric doesn’t mean you should still sing it. You skip the f word but say the other word wow!!
— sarah (@sarahmarie3422) May 17, 2020
Hannah Brown is a whole dumbass. Her roar crap, her inability to speak coherently, even to give a toast, and the complete lack of judgment in men...but saying the n word isn't her stupidity, its hate. To say the word on camera in 2020 is a fully racist act.
— mrs. oke (@oketesea) May 18, 2020
Can y’all not with the Hannah Brown was singing lyrics to a song 🙄...She said the n word with a HARD -ER meaning she’s said it before and most likely OFTEN...It rolled right off the tongue 👏🏽.Its inexcusable!
— Allyson Perkerson (@lilacmagnolia) May 18, 2020
@hannahbrown thank you so much for perpetuating the racist southern stereotype. I’m 💯 done with you. Shame.
— Elizabeth Parker (@ElizparkParker) May 17, 2020
I was a huge Hannah Brown fan but there is no excuse to say such a deplorable word. I don’t care if you were singing. I’m out#bachelornation
— Emily Nesbit (@emilynesbit) May 17, 2020
Others are defending Brown as the controversy rages on social media.
So, the rapper can say it all he wants through the "song", but let a white girl sing it and it's racist? I don't think so. If you consider this racist you're a big pathetic part of the world's major problems. She owes no one an apology if the artist doesn't owe one.
— Tony Bailey (@TcaponeGuitar) May 18, 2020
#UnpopularOpinion but @hannahbrown shouldn’t be getting the hate she is for what happened! There is a difference between mindlessly singing a song and actively trying to use language to hurt other people. Y’all are just looking for something to complain about🙄
— Taylor Kelly (@TaylorMKelly22) May 18, 2020
I love how the entire world is perfect when they drink yet @hannahbrown is not🤣 Omg! She was singing a song that someone else wrote grow the f up babies😂🤣😂🤣
— Amy McCauslin p (@MccauslinP) May 18, 2020
I just want to know why @hannahbrown singing the ACTUAL LYRICS to a song is so offensive. I mean, if its wrong to be said at all then why is it said by everyone else? An "artist" put it in a song..shouldn't we be shamming them instead? Get over it! #DoubleStandards
— Phoenix Myles (@phoenixmyles) May 18, 2020
@hannahbrown you’re the queen. Let the haters hate like always. They are gnna do anything in their power to try and “cancel” you. not gnna happen. You were singing a song. Not having some ghetto ass conversation calling someone that. I got your back girl lol
— Courtney Ronacher (@C_Ronacher) May 18, 2020
Its funny cause I know there is so much racism & it makes me sick. I also believe we live in a world where we all need to practice tolerance. I don't think she was being racist or had ANY bad intent. Intent is the key here. You seem to have a lot of anger and Im done w ur energy
— Heather Kauth (@heather_kauth) May 18, 2020
Oh my god leave @hannahbrown alone. It’s a song. If you’re going to go at her, go at everyone who has ever sang that song. More importantly whoever wrote it. Get over it stop taking shit so seriously. You act as if it was directed at someone.
— Whatta Beach (@jerseyblonde47) May 17, 2020
Nobody wants to say it so bad.... its innocent. Is it racist to use the N word in every day language? YES. Is it racist for someone to softly say it when signing the lyrics to a song she likes? I say no. It was completely innocent.
— Heather Kauth (@heather_kauth) May 17, 2020
The thing is that @hannahbrown is a good person who will learn from this situation. It's a learned behavior and behaviors can change just like people. She's sorry and won't do it again.
— Meghan Watts (@meghanlwatts) May 17, 2020
I think the backlash is excessive and she shouldn’t have to apologize. Let’s be reasonable. If someone obviously didn’t say it in a hateful way we should relax
— EducatedBlackFemale (@educatedwoman12) May 18, 2020
Brown, a Tuscaloosa native, was the Season 15 star of “The Bachelorette" and the Season 28 winner of “Dancing with the Stars.” She won a 2019 People’s Choice Award and is a former Miss Alabama USA. Brown graduated in 2017 from the University of Alabama. Prior to her reality TV fame, she worked as an interior decorator in Northport.
Brown has been active on social media during the coronavirus pandemic, posting dance videos on TikTok and photos and videos on Instagram.