For the first time since the launch of The Bachelor franchise, an installment won’t be hosted by Chris Harrison. Amid continuing controversy, Harrison will not be hosting the upcoming season The Bachelorette, ABC and The franchise producer Warner Horizon said iFriday night.
Speculation that Harrison will continue to be sidelined was further fueled when TMZ revealed Friday morning that he was not quarantining with the cast and crew of The Bachelorette who had all arrived at a resort near Albuquerque. Production is slated to begin at the end of the month.
“Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of The Bachelorette,” the companies 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.”