From L to R: Tayshia Adams, Chris Harrison, Kaitlyn Bristowe.Photo: getty images (3)
Chris Harrisonwill not be hosting the upcoming season ofThe Bachelorette.
Two fan-favorite former Bachelorettes,Tayshia AdamsandKaitlyn Bristowe, will be taking Harrison’s place, Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment said in a joint statement to PEOPLE on Friday.
“Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season ofThe Bachelorette,” the statement said.
“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.”
Chris Harrison.Eric McCandless/Getty Images
“As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion withinThe Bachelorfranchise, we are dedicated toimproving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks,” the statement said. “These areimportant stepsin effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world.”
After the news was announced, Bristowe shared a video of herself and Adams dancing together. “Let’s go girls,” she captioned the clip.
Harrison, 49,stepped awayfrom the franchise last month after defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s past racist actions. In an interview forExtrawith former BacheloretteRachel Lindsay, Harrison questioned the “lens” of 2021 compared to 2018 and said that people should have “a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion” for resurfaced social media posts of Kirkconnell’s.
The posts showed her dressed in Native American attire as a costume and attending an antebellum plantation-themed college party in 2018. Kirkconnell, a contestant onMatt James' current season ofThe Bachelor, has since issued anapologyand asked those defending her actions to “please stop.”
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While it’s not clear when Harrison will return to the franchise, he said earlier this month onGood Morning Americathat he doesplan on coming back eventually.
He shared in the interview that he is working with “a race educator and strategist” as well as faith leaders and scholars, likeDr. Michael Eric Dyson.
“Dr. Dyson often talks to me about counsel, not cancel. That is full accountability … owning from that, learning from that. Seeking council from the community that you hurt, gaining experience knowledge and moving forward,” Harrison said onGMA.
“I am saddened and shocked at how insensitive I was in that interview with Rachel Lindsay. I didn’t speak for my heart, that is to say I stand against all forms of racism … I’m sorry to Rachel Lindsay and I’m sorry to the Black community,” he said, adding that he is “committed to progress, not just for myself, also for the franchise.”
The Bachelor: After the Final Rosewill air on Monday, March 15 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC, immediately following the season finale ofThe Bachelor.
source: people.com
