The Bachelor franchise is going to be without its biggest face when it returns later this year with the next installment of The Bachelorette.
Chris Harrison will be sitting out the new season of The Bachelorette amid the franchise’s ongoing racism controversy, Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment announced in a statement Friday.
After announcing that he would be “stepping aside” from The Bachelor franchise for a period of time, Harrison won’t be hosting the new season of The Bachelorette, which is set to start production in the coming weeks.
In Harrison’s absence, two of the franchise’s alums — and former Bachelorettes — Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will serve as co-hosts of the new Bachelorette season.
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) March 13, 2021
“Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of The Bachelorette,” Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment said in a statement. “We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing. In his absence, former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will support the new Bachelorette through next season. As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion within The Bachelor franchise, we are dedicated to improving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks. These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world.”
The decision for Harrison to sit out is no doubt the right one following his defense of Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s racist behavior after a photo surfaced of her at an “Old South” antebellum party during college and after she “liked” a photo of two people standing in front of a confederate flag on Instagram.
The show hasn’t ruled out a potential return for Harrison in the future, but for the first time in the franchise’s history, he won’t be the familiar face in the series.
Twitter had plenty to say about Harrison stepping aside for the new season. While there were some people that were upset about Harrison’s benching, there were plenty of people that recognized the show will in fact go on without Harrison.
Chris Harrison trying to get into bachelor mansion next season pic.twitter.com/10KLmKsaI6
— Sophie Ross (@SophRossss) March 13, 2021
was Chris Harrison really that fundamental to the bachelor?? what are they gonna do, forget how to function when there’s one rose left???
— Christina (@chrisxtina21) March 13, 2021
middle aged white women being pressed that chris harrison won’t be returning this season is bringing me lots of joy #thebachelor #thebachelorette pic.twitter.com/sywd5Da6BE
— reality steph🌹 (@realitybysteph) March 13, 2021
chris harrison is no longer hosting the bachelor. i officially hate it here.
— kp 🙂 (@katlynelauraann) March 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/aparmaaa/status/1370786605984780291?s=20
y’all are acting like chris harrison is THEE backbone of the show when all he does is say, “ this is the final rose” and “take your time to say your goodbyes” #thebachelor pic.twitter.com/HxnlnHKhds
— mawahib 🌱 (@itsmawahib) March 13, 2021
Oh no! Without Chris Harrison, who will write the fantasy suite notes that are clearly written by a 19 year old female intern? pic.twitter.com/Bget5WlkWZ
— AL (@MissSchliez) March 13, 2021
This man literally says less than 10 words every episode and all the white woman are PRESSED
Go to hell ❤️ https://t.co/9TQ6t1bhBH
— Megan Thee Feminist 🇵🇦 (@NeverGoesToBed) March 13, 2021
Why they acting like we need two people to make one Chris Harrison?! https://t.co/BroPVDyuN0
— Ali B (@wtflanksteak) March 13, 2021
Chris Harrison being replaced by both Tayshia and Kaitlin is so reminiscent of the time the NYT couldn’t bring itself to pick one female candidate to endorse so it went for both Liz and Amy
— sami sage (@samifish1) March 13, 2021
Chris Harrison, take a moment and say your goodbyes https://t.co/OM9CvsfbXH
— Minka (@Minkatb17) March 13, 2021
Harrison will make an appearance in the previously-filmed The Bachelor finale, although he won’t be hosting the After the Final Rose special. Activist and FOX Sports anchor Emmanuel Acho will step in for Harrison during Monday’s After the Final Rose, where he’ll lead the conversation about the racism controversy on the show, including interviews with current Bachelor Matt James and Kirkconnell.
“This is the most uncomfortable conversation in the history of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise,” Acho told Good Morning America. “Because it’s not just about relationships, but now it’s about race. We’re intertwining race with relationships on one of the greatest unscripted shows in the history of television.”
The Bachelor‘s three-hour finale airs Monday at 8/7c on ABC.