Chris Harrison Still ‘Bitter’ One Year After Bachelor Nation Controversy?
Is former Bachelor host Chris Harrison still bitter one year after controversy forced him out of the franchise? Keep reading for the latest on the scandal that rocked Bachelor Nation.
One year since controversial interview with Rachel Lindsay
In January of 2021, Matt James’s historic season as the first Black Bachelor was airing on ABC. However, a social media storm was brewing after photos of frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnell attending an Old South antebellum-themed party in 2018 leaked online.
While Kirkconnell initially kept silent, Chris Harrison went on Extra to speak with correspondent and former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay about the situation. In an attempt to defend the Bachelor contestant, Chris Harrison made several missteps, including speaking over Lindsay and seeming to make excuses for Kirkconnell.
The backlash was swift and immediate, with the interview trending on social media the next day and weeks to follow.
A week after the disastrous interview, Chris Harrison announced he was taking a step back from his hosting duties. He would never return.
Four months later, he would announce his exit from the franchise.
Is Chris Harrison still ‘bitter’?
In the year since his interview with Rachel Lindsay, Chris Harrison has only spoken out a handful of times. He apologized on Good Morning America, and later released a statement confirming he was done with the franchise.
However, sources recently shared an update with OK! magazine about how Harrison is feeling about the controversy now. The insider claims that the former host is still “bitter” about how it all went down.
The source further reveals, “[Harrison] still feels like he built The Bachelor from the bottom up and didn’t want to leave.”
The outlet notes that the former host received a 10 million payout upon exiting the franchise. Furthermore, he has plans to return to television in the future.
At first, ABC brought in Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe to co-host Seasons 17 and 18 of The Bachelorette. However, former Bachelor Jesse Palmer returned to the franchise to host Season 26 of The Bachelor, the first since the scandal.
How does he feel about Jesse Palmer replacing him as host?
According to the insider, Harrison is “green with envy” regarding Jesse Palmer. The source claims the former host doesn’t have a personal issue with his replacement. However, he feels that fans are “falling over Jesse like he never existed.”
Additionally, the spy reveals that Chris Harrison didn’t appreciate alums from the franchise gunning to replace him, calling it “tacky.”
While Chris Harrison didn’t want to leave his hosting job, he’s been living his best life since he left.
Living his best life with fiance?
In 2018, Chris Harrison started dating Entertainment Tonight host Lauren Zima. He finally popped the question in October of 2021. The two have yet to share their wedding plans, but it’s clear that Chris Harrison is moving on with his life after leaving The Bachelor.
Do you blame Chris Harrison for still being bitter about his exit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Don’t miss the last few episodes of Clayton Echard’s season of The Bachelor, Mondays on ABC.
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Simply put, I miss Chris. He was a natural. Maybe not perfect but well fit for the job. i believe we all make mistakes, some bigger than others. Bachelor enterprise hasnt been the same since and maybe the organisation should take a look at its writers, directors and producers. The show is so predictable many of us can write the next chapter. Time to reinvent itself!
I know I’ll get backlash for this, but I feel that in today’s world, people are looking for things to be offended about. We cannot go back and re-write history or we would. Chris was very much the show and he is missed by many. I can’t say how it should have been handled, but the show just isn’t the same anymore in many ways. Chris should be on and they need to stop dreaming wierder and wierder dates. They are demeaning to the contestants AND the viewers.
YES, in my opinion Chris Harrison was the show. I don’t watch it anymore, cause to me it just isn’t the same.