Becca Kufrin comments on hateful social media 'likes' by Bachelorette frontrunner Garrett Yrigoyen
Becca Kufrin commented on Wednesday about transphobic and anti-immigrant social media activity by The Bachelorette frontrunner Garrett Yrigoyen.
The 28-year-old Minnesota publicist gave her coveted first impression rose and first kiss to Yrigoyen, 29, on Monday's season premiere of the ABC show.
Former Bachelor contestant Ashley Spivey, 33, quickly revealed a slew of problematic 'likes' from his since deleted social media accounts.
Controversy reaction: Becca Kufrin, shown on Wednesday visiting Extra in Los Angeles, commented on hateful social media activity by The Bachelorette frontrunner Garret Yrigoyen
Some of the since-deleted screenshots showed that Yrigoyen had liked a host of questionable posts, including one comparing 'conservative woman' Tomi Lahren clad in an American flag ensemble to a 'leftist woman' wearing a feminist shirt.
'Yeah, I think we win this one too,' was written across the bottom of the meme casting judgment on the woman's appearance.
Another image liked by Yrigoyen's now defunct account suggested that Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor David Hogg was a crisis actor.
Kufrin told E! News that she was aware of Yrigoyen's social media activity.
Early frontrunner: Yrigoyen received the coveted first impression rose on Monday's season premiere of The Bachelorette
Liked it: Some of the screenshots showed that Yrigoyen had liked a host of questionable posts, including one comparing 'conservative woman' Tomi Lahren clad in an American flag ensemble to a 'leftist woman' wearing a feminist shirt
Questionable view: Another image liked by Yrigoyen's now defunct account suggested that Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor David Hogg was a crisis actor
'I've heard a little bit about it these past couple days. I've just been so busy traveling around the country with press that I haven't really been able to read too much up on it, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions,' she said.
Kufrin added: 'And at the end of the day I wanted to go on this journey to open up myself and have people see my love story unfold and I would hope that they would stay open and respect me but also stay open and respect these 28 guys that went along on the journey with me.'
She also reflected on getting to know her suitors without the aid of social media.
First impression: Kufrin without the aid of social media handed out her first impression rose, a prior indicator of romantic success on the show, to Yrigoyen
'It's different, but it's nice in a way, because I was truly getting to know these guys for them, and having conversations face to face with them about things that were important to me.
'So I feel like I got a much better picture of who these 28 guys were, as opposed to just looking on their social media and trying to make a decision of who they were by not talking to them,' she said.
She also encouraged fans of the show to 'watch the entire journey and get to know them for who they really are.'
Nevada native: The medical sales rep from Nevada drove up in a minivan rather than the usual limo and gave Kufrin a fly fishing rod lesson during their first night together
Spivey shared a series of social media posts liked by Garrett, with one image showing a member of the armed forces swinging a child with the words, 'When a kid makes it over the wall and you have to throw him back.'
He seemed to have taken an interest in one particular account, having liked many of the company's photos shared on Instagram.
One photo in question showed a women's restroom door covered in an image of Cailtyn Jenner on Vanity Fair, with the men's bathroom showing Caitlyn's previous identity as Bruce Jenner.
The image was captioned, 'How to determine which bathroom to use in 2017.'
Child immigration: Spivey was unafraid to show a series of the posts liked by Yrigoyen with one image showing a member of the armed forces swinging a child with the words, 'When a kid makes it over the wall and you have to throw him back'
We can see your likes: One photo in question showed a women's restroom door covered in an image of Cailtyn Jenner on Vanity Fair, with the men's bathroom showing Caitlyn's previous identity as Bruce Jenner