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Former Host Chris Harrison Spreads 'Bachelor In Paradise' Gossip: "They’re Postponing It For A Year Or Canceling It"
After yesterday’s (June 9) announcement that Chris Harrison was stepping down from his hosting duties at Bachelor Nation, former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay has expressed her shock at the news. While chatting on her show Extra with colleague Billy Bush, Lindsay opened up about the news, saying it was an “unexpected” turn for the ABC franchise.
“I wasn’t expecting for it to happen, not after the announcement,” she said of Harrison’s departure.
The host, who worked on the franchise for nearly two decades, reportedly walked away from The Bachelor and its spinoff shows with a mid-range eight-figure payoff under the condition that he won’t divulge any insider info. No exact reason, however, was given for his departure. On Extra, Lindsay commented on why Harrison may have left, saying Bachelor fans can only “speculate” at the reasons behind Harrison’s exit.
“I think several past contestants coming forward and saying they didn’t want him to be part of Paradise. I think Katie Thurston [the current Bachelorette] her very last tweet before she went to film her season was that Chris needed to step away,” Lindsay said. “I think that, coupled with the interview that happened on this very stage, maybe led to him not coming back.”
Lindsay and Harrison have a strained history due to an interview in which Harrison, appearing on Extra, defended contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. Kirkconnell was embroiled in a controversy surrounding photos of her attending an antebellum plantation-themed party in college, and Harrison suggested viewers should have “grace” for her, saying she was a victim for “cancel culture.” Lindsay later opened up about the interview, saying Harrison “talked over” her and “never gave her room to talk.”
“Well, it’s been 19 years and if you do watch the show we saw less and less of Chris,” Lindsay said of his exit. “19 years is a big accomplishment. Maybe that’s the case. We don’t know. Maybe they were ready to move on.”
The ongoing season of The Bachelorette features former contestants Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe as Harrison’s replacements. Bachelor in Paradise, which will debut later this summer, has attached a handful of celebs like David Spade, Titus Burgess, Lil John, and Lance Bass to tackle the hosting duties.
