Vanessa Grimaldi, who was a contestant with Taylor during Nick Viall‘s season of The Bachelor, took to Instagram to share that Taylor’s past tweets have been “weighing on” her.
“I needed a day to breathe and write something from the heart that wasn’t reactive, because I was in disbelief. I have spoken with her in private and would like to share my thoughts here with you as well,” she wrote. “Taylor often speaks about holding people accountable to the highest of standards for their words and acts and hatred towards marginalized communities. As someone who has gotten to know her well throughout the years, it is my responsibility to hold her accountable to the same standards she expects from others, as well as myself.”
“I am disturbed, upset, hurt, disappointed and saddened by the things she said. I did not know of these tweets until they were brought to light yesterday,” she added. “I do think they need to be deleted. They are triggering, dangerous and harmful. I am in shock.”
Vanessa noted that Taylor’s past tweets about people with disabilities, especially struck a chord with her since she works in special education and has a non-profit organization dedicated to the community. “I am heartbroken and blindsided,” she shared. “It is clear that many of us need to continue to learn and grow (myself included). My hope is that Taylor understands that like her, people have also made mistakes and deserve the chance to grow and learn.”
Danielle Maltby, who was also a contestant on Nick’s season, spoke out about Taylor’s resurfaced posts. “I am so thoroughly appalled and sick over the tweets I’ve seen, some as recent as 2014” she shared on Instagram. “Taylor is someone I befriended on The Bachelor and care a great deal about even though the years since the show have brought distance. I have always tried to support her.”
She added, “I do not support and fully condemn her language and tweets. I am so thoroughly disturbed by all of them. I have been very angry the last 24 hours. I feel betrayed, like most of you who have looked up to her and learned from her.”
