Hannah Brown was doubly slammed for her apology after using the N-word during her Instagram Live on Saturday.
The season 15 Bachelorette reality star used the racial slur while attempting to rap the lyrics from "Rockstar" by DaBaby.
The expired video was screengrabbed and reposted on Twitter.
Warning: the video below contains racist language.
When viewers immediately called her out on her offensive indiscretion, the 25-year-old giggled through her excuses and said without an ounce of sincerity:
"I was singing — I'm so sorry."
She added, while smiling:
"I did? I'm so sorry. I don't think...Maybe it was Patrick [her brother]. Um, anyway..."
People did not buy her lukewarm acknowledgement.
However, not everyone was initially offended.
Still people saw right through her intentions with her hesitation during the song.
People commented on a specific demographic's response to an all-too-familiar situation.
The barometer for when to use or not use certain language was determined.
Bekah Martinez – a contestant on Season 22 of The Bachelor was unforgiving after several people expressed leniency.
Martinez commented on the controversy on her Instagram Stories:
"How are people still gonna defend CELEBS with access to SOOO much privilege, knowledge, and education saying the N-word...even if it's 'just the lyrics to a song'...especially when that person had the wherewithal to skip over the F-word lyrics first."
"We've GOT to hold people accountable to do better otherwise we're continuing to prioritize the feelings of white people (and someone we 'stan') over ending our country's loooong history of casual racism and flippant anti-blackness.
On Sunday afternoon, Brown issued a statement on her Instagram Stories and tried really hard to sound more genuine than her previous apology.
"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."
Rachel Lynn Lindsay – who was the first African American Bachelorette in the 13th season of the franchise – was especially disappointed after Brown backed out of a live conversation at the last minute that the pair previously had arranged to address the ramifications of using the N-word in an effort to have a discussion and inspire change.
Lindsay, who is an attorney, said:
"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 be bold enough to use your face on camera and apologize in the same way you said the word."
She added:
"If you're going to praise someone for being open and sincere, for being honest and so up front, and bold and speaking out, then you have to hold them accountable when they don't do it over a controversial situation when it's controversy that they caused."
Since making her statement of apology, Brown has not been active on her social media accounts.
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