Greer and Zach Shallcross on The Bachelor.Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC

THE BACHELOR - “2701” – Zach’s Journey to find love begins! Thirty hopeful women arrive at the mansion looking for love and to make a lasting first impression with our newest leading man. The pressure is on and despite their best efforts, not all will come up roses on this first evening like no other on “The Bachelor,” premiering MONDAY, JAN. 23 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin) GREER, ZACH SHALLCROSS

The Bachelor’s Greer Blitzer is issuing an apology after facing some major backlash for her past actions.

“I am deeply sorry to those I have hurt, especially those within the Black community, not because these screenshots have resurfaced, but because I ever shared these harmful opinions at all, she continued. “Time and age do not excuse my actions, but this is not a reflection of who I am today.”

greer blitzer/instagram

The Bachelor’s First Impression Rose Recipient Greer Blitzer Issues Apology for Defending Blackface Costume

In October, a Reddit user shared screenshots of Blitzer supporting a fellow teenager who was facing scrutiny for wearing Blackface at a party.

“The students involved didn’t even know what black face was so my point exactly. It wasn’t an intentional racist act,” Blitzer allegedly wrote on Twitter at the time.

In another Tweet, she allegedly wrote: “This previous incident was dumb not racist? She did not paint herself black because she felt superior to black ppl.”

She later added, “Putting white powder on your face isn’t okay either. That didn’t make the news did it? I apologize if this offended you but you must understand it was not initially supposed to be perceived that way at all.”

Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

THE BACHELOR - ABC’s “The Bachelor” stars Greer. (ABC/Ricky Middlesworth)

On Tuesday’s episode of thePEOPLE Every Daypodcast, Shallcross, 26, opened up about his decision to give Greer the first impression rose.

“With Greer, she had this calming effect on me. I’m back at the mansion and there’s the cameras and I’m meeting 30 new women, and it’s a lot to take in,” Shallcross toldPEOPLE Every Dayhost Janine Rubenstein. “And so when you meet someone that can bring that comfort level and allow you to not be so caught up in your head — it was very relaxed with her.”

Shallcross has not yet commented on Greer’s alleged past actions.

Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.

The Bachelorairs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com