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‘The Bachelor Australia’ Contestant Defends ‘Jewish Banana’ Comment, Denies Being Antisemitic After Receiving Backlash
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Florence Alexandra Sophia on “The Bachelor Australia.” Photo: Screenshot.
A contestant on “The Bachelor Australia” took to Instagram on Saturday to defend herself against claims that she was antisemitic after she said a rival looked like a “Jewish banana,” the UK’s Daily Mail reported.
Florence Alexandra Sophia, 27, made the comment regarding fellow “Bachelor” contestant Jen Hawke’s group date outfit — a life guard-inspired costume — on Thursday night’s episode of the reality show. Fans found the remark offensive and a Twitter user called it “unacceptable & inappropriate,” while one viewer said, ‘”She looks like a Jewish banana’ when did using someone’s religion become an acceptable insult to broadcast on TV? Shocked.”
Defending herself against the criticism, the Dutch model said on Instagram over the weekend: “It was purely that Jen’s yellow suit reminded me of a banana peel and her little hat of a kippah. Never meant it in a bad way or negative way so I have to disagree on the antisemitic part, especially because I have a Jewish best friend and I am very open to and respectful of any religion and ethnicities.”
