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Why isn’t Chris Harrison hosting The Bachelorette?
KATIE Thurston's Bachelorette season officially started on June 7, but one face who wasn't present was longtime host Chris Harrison.
As announced on March 12, former stars - will take over hosting duties for 's season.
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Why isn't Chris Harrison hosting The Bachelorette?
Back in February, appeared on for an .
Harrison defended Bachelor contestant , whose photos of her at an in college leaked online.
At the time, the former Bachelor host told Lindsay that of “cancel culture” following backlash from the photos.
When Lindsay shot back that “wasn’t a good look” to recreate and celebrate a period in history when Black people were enslaved, Harrison replied, “Well, Rachel, is it a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021? Because there’s a big difference.”
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Following his interview, , where he also shared his hopes for returning to the show.
Despite saying he planned to be back, Harrison will be absent from both The Bachelorette and the upcoming season of .
On March 12, ABC Entertainment along with Warner Horizon announced that the longtime host will not host the next season of The Bachelorette.
"Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of 'The Bachelorette,'" the statement read.
"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 the 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.
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"These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world," the statement concluded.
Former linebacker Emmanuel Acho replaced Harrison in ' After the Final Rose special.
Why is he being canceled from Bachelor Nation?
Bachelor Nation alum has called for the long-time host to be
DeMario Jackson from season 13 and Jubilee Sharpe from season 20 were among the reality stars who called for Harrison to stay barred from the program, according to .
"I don't really think he should be allowed to return but it's not up to me," Jackson said, as he slammed it as an "all-white" show.
"My season was one of the most visible black seasons as far as the representation by African American males and women," he continued.
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"It just sucked because, yeah, we had each other but there was nobody we could really relate to because it was an all-white production, all-white cast, all-white show … which is great, but it’s 2021 now.
"If they do want to have moved forward and have a more black fan base I would say it all starts within. Like do you really want to have black fans or do you want to put a Band-Aid over a bullet wound?"
Sharpe echoed Jackson's sentiments and claimed producers on the show were more attentive to white contestants.
Marshana Ritchie from season 12 and Leslie Hughes from season 17 told TMZ that Harrison should undergo sensitivity training and brush up on black history to be allowed back to his hosting duties.
The Bachelorette season 10 star Marquel Martin and The Bachelor's Robyn Jedkins similarly agreed Harrison should be allowed back, but he must refocus on understanding black issues.
What did the contestants in the Bachelor season 25 said about Harrison's comments?
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Twenty-five women from James' season rallied together to denounce the hosts’ stance in a joint statement.
“We are the women of Bachelor Season 25. Twenty-five women who identify as were cast on this historic season that was meant to represent change.
“We are deeply disappointed and want to make it clear that we denounce any defense of racism.
“Any defense of racist behavior denies the lived and continued experiences of BIPOC individuals. These experiences are not to be exploited or tokenized,” the women said.
The group then praised Lindsay - the first Black lead in franchise history - for continuing to advocate for change within the series.
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“Rachel Lindsay continues to advocate with ‘grace’ for individuals who identify as BIPOC within this franchise.
“Just because she is speaking the loudest, doesn’t mean she is alone. We stand with her, we hear her, and we advocate for change alongside her,” the women concluded.
James took to Instagram to comment on the controversy as well.
On Monday, James shared a that read: "The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging of my life, and while there are several episodes left of the season, it is important that I take the time to address the troubling information that has come to light since we wrapped filming, including the incredibly disappointing photos of Rachael Kirkconnell and the interview between Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison.
"The reality is that I'm learning about these situations in real time, and it has been devastating and heartbreaking to put it bluntly.
"Chris's failure to receive and understand the emotional labor that my friend Rachel Lindsay was taking on by graciously and patiently explaining the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American should understand intimately, was troubling and painful to watch.
"As Black people and allies immediately knew and understood, it was a clear reflection of a much larger issue that The Bachelor franchise has fallen short of addressing adequately for years."
concluded: "I will continue to process this experience, and you will hear more from me in the end."
What is Chris Harrison's net worth?
.
Rumors say that he apparently gets paid $600,000 per Bachelor episode and his salary has reached $8million on the show.
He has been the Bachelor host since 2002, as well as all its spin-offs.
What did Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe say about Chris Harrison?
In a recent interview with , Adams and Bristowe had nothing but kind words to say about Harrison - after .
"Personally, he became a friend and father figure – I know he probably doesn't like that because it makes him feel old," Bristowe told the outlet.
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Adams added: "Chris and I actually do have a friendship and a relationship. So I think that I just really separate that relationship from the controversy, and I really just look back on the fond memories that I have with him."
In an Instagram post on June 8, Harrison confirmed that he was leaving his spot as the host of the franchise for good.
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Along with a picture of him during a reunion show, he wrote: "I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter.
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"I’m so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we’ve made together.
"While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime."
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