Rachel's criticism of Chris's comments regarding the controversy surrounding old photos of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell in an Antebellum South costume caused the longtime host to temporarily step aside from his duties on the series.

While Chris agreed with Rachel that while the photos did not shine the best light on the contestant's actions, he said that over time, perspectives could change on certain things.

Chris said in an Instagram post shared on February 13 that he would take this time to become educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before. 

Chris ensured the cast and crew of the show, as well as his colleagues and fans, that this was a commitment to a much greater understanding he will make every day. 

He also said he can only try to evolve and be a better man.

Rachel addressed the idea that she was looking to take over Chris's job during her podcast appearance.

"I don't know if I want to play into the whole line of thinking that people think I did this to get Chris Harrison's job. It's so wild," she stated. 

Rachel alleged that the idea that she went into that interview as a ruse to take over Chris's job was a falsehood.

"Yeah, I went to go have an interview with a person to recap last night's episode, and I thought, 'You know what? Today's the day I'm going to try to take your job.' How would I even think like that? But that's the kind of stuff that people say about me. So for me, I don't know. I don't know if that's something for me."

If the show decides not to move forward with Chris as host, Rachel shared the show may continue without an in-person moderator.
 

"Should Chris decide to say, 'I don't want to do this at all,' or, 'I'm going to leave, my time is up,' I could see them not [replacing him]. I mean, pre-quarantine, he was barely in the show, anyway. I think that they could narration, bring in a past contestant," she said.

The Bachelor, with Matt James as the show's current male lead, airs its final episodes Mondays on ABC.