The Bachelorette's Erich Schwer Says He Regrets 'Insensitive' Blackface Photo

The Bachelorette's Erich Schwer has some regrets about the photo of him donning blackface that has surfaced on the internet.

29-year-old Schwer, the final contender for Gabby Windey's heart, took to Instagram yesterday to address the yearbook photo of him from a viral Reddit post that shows the then-teen wearing blackface and an afro wig.

"I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive photo of me in Blackface from my high school yearbook that has been circulating," Schwer wrote, captioning a black square on the social media platform. What I thought at the time was a representation of my love for Jimi Hendrix, was nothing but ignorance."

He continued: "I was naïve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black community and those closest to me, and will forever regret my offensive and damaging behavior. I am deeply ashamed by my actions and understand that my apology is only the first step in taking accountability."

Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment and frustration with Schwer's actions and his lackluster apology, wondering "what lead doesn't have stuff like this come out about them" and referencing another post that saw Schwer pose with his "second family" wearing MAGA hats. 

at this point what lead doesn't have stuff like this come out about them 🤦‍♀️ im tired

— bach memes (@thebachelwhore) September 8, 2022

This pic with his “second family” wearing MAGA hats came out a bit ago so sadly I’m not surprised 😬 pic.twitter.com/XKC4usGuRX

— lex 🌙 💫 (@you1are1in1love) September 8, 2022

His high school put that in the yearbook?!?!? That’s even more concerning. 👀

— RealiTMI (@RealiTMI) September 9, 2022

It's ironic that he was a "Peer Leader" while setting the example of blackface to the student body. Yikes 🙄

— 'Fight For Each Other' Girl - Latest Jedi (@GeekBrenda) September 8, 2022

I get Erich apologized for his blackface in high school but let’s be honest if that photo never resurfaced he would have never apologized #bachelorette

— Mac Hodgdon (@machodgdon) September 8, 2022

No word yet on if ABC plans to address the controversy.

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.