Chris Harrison has been the only host of The Bachelor throughout the show’s 21-year-history. But after Harrison made racist comments during an interview with Rachel Lindsay, Bachelor fans and alums alike are calling for his permanent removal as host. Luckily, the franchise has several options to choose from in looking for his replacement.
Recently, Chris Harrison was interviewed by former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay on Extra. During the 13-minute interview, Harrison defended Rachael Kirkconnell, who is currently appearing on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor and has been the subject of controversy ever since evidence of racism in her recent past emerged. Harrison took a disrespectful attitude toward Lindsay, who was the franchise’s first Black bachelorette, and dismissed efforts to hold Kirkconnell accountable as attacks from the “woke police.” Kirkconnell and Harrison have both issued apologies and the contestants from the current season of The Bachelor and the most recent season of The Bachelorette have issued group statements condemning racism in the franchise. Harrison then issued a second apology in which he revealed his decision to step aside as host for the near future.
In the aftermath of the interview, fans immediately began calling for Lindsay herself to replace Harrison as the host of the franchise’s shows. But while the beloved Bachelorette certainly has the hosting skills and experience to perform the job, Lindsay has hinted that she may no longer want to be associated with the franchise and its deep-rooted racism. Former Bachelorette Jojo Fletcher may also be a frontrunner for the position, especially after having stepped in for Chris Harrison during his brief absence on Tayshia Adams’ season of The Bachelorette. Fans hoped Mike Johnson, a contestant on Hannah Brown’s season, would be the first Black Bachelor. Even though that title went to Matt James, fans may be eager to see Johnson step in as host.
While Harrison never publicly named a successor, he has previously called former Bachelors Sean Lowe and Ben Higgins two of the best Bachelors of all time. Harrison may have hoped that either Lowe or Higgins would step up as host of The Bachelor following his departure. However, choosing another white, Christian male as the franchise’s host may not signal a strong enough commitment to diversity.
Although Chris Harrison has committed to stepping aside for the near future, he has not clarified how long the break will last and whether or not he will ever come back to the franchise. Earlier this year, fans speculated that Harrison may have been eyeing retirement after he purchased a home in Texas. But as the petition to permanently remove him from his hosting duties nears 50,000 signatures, the fans of Bachelor Nation are certainly demanding more permanent change.
