“Bachelor” star Peter Weber called embattled contestant Victoria Fuller a “good person” on Tuesday, hours after Cosmopolitan announced the magazine would pull its digital cover over her alleged ties to “White Lives Matter” apparel.
“Just being completely honest, I can’t really speak too much on it, cause I don’t really know many facts about the whole situation,” the 28-year-old pilot said during a Build Series sit-down. “I just recently heard about that with the cover being removed, but, obviously during that moment too, I knew nothing about that, none of us did. All I can speak on is the time I was able to spend with Victoria throughout this experience, and I truly enjoyed my experience with her.
“I really feel like she’s a good person and she’s got a lot of endearing qualities,” Weber continued.
During Monday’s group date challenge, the remaining “Bachelor” contestants participated in a photoshoot for Cosmopolitan in Costa Rica, with the winner scoring the magazine’s cover. Editor-in-chief Jessica Pels initially awarded Fuller the coveted prize but later detailed her decision to rescind the honor, sharing a “Letter to the Editor” online as the episode aired on ABC.
“Unequivocally, the White Lives Matter movement does not reflect the values of the Cosmo brand,” Pels wrote. “We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and any cause that fights to end injustices for people of color.”
Though Fuller reportedly addressed the controversy ahead of Cosmopolitan’s decision to nix the cover, Weber hopes fans “can form their opinions on her based on what they see between the two of us and her time on the show.”
“She’s not perfect, I’m not perfect, no one’s perfect, but that’s all I can really say on that,” he said.
Earlier this year, Fuller faced backlash after photos surfaced of her allegedly modeling “White Lives Matter” merchandise. Though additional reports indicated the clothing referenced a “Marlin Lives Matter” organization, as Pels also noted in her post, in relation to the conservation efforts of fish. In 2016, USA Today reported the White Marlin Marina sold clothing featuring “white lives matter” and “blue lives matter” imagery.
“In my view, the nature of the organization is neither here nor there — both phrases and the belief systems they represent are rooted in racism and therefore problematic,” Pels wrote, adding she and her team “had many long discussions” about how to move forward.
“Ultimately what felt right was choosing not to publish the digital cover on our website or social feeds, and simply being honest with you, the audience we respect, about what happened and where we stand,” she continued.
While Fuller remains in the competition, her time on “The Bachelor” has been marred with controversy. Last week, she and Weber came face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend, country music singer Chase Rice. A “Survivor” alum himself, Rice recently discussed the encounter on the “Fitz and the Morning” radio show, noting he is no fan of Bachelor Nation.
“If there’s anything I ever wanted, it’s to have nothing to do with the drama of that show,” he said.
“The Bachelor” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.