Bachelorette Katie Thurston’s season ‘expected to be most successful EVER’ after Chris Harrison quits for racism scandal
BACHELORETTE Katie Thurston’s season is expected to be the “most successful EVER” after Chris Harrison left due to his racism scandal, The Sun can reveal.
With ABC no longer having to pay ’s hefty seven-figure salary and the pandemic forcing production to only take place at a , it’s set to be the “most profitable” of all time.
Read our below for the very latest news and updates...
According to a series insider, “this season is the cheapest it's ever cost to produce a season for the franchise.”
The source explained that with the “entire season being filmed in one place” along with “Chris Harrison’s salary out of the picture,” it cost “far less” to produce this season than any others previously.
“If it does the expected numbers in the ratings, it should be one of the most profitable seasons,” the informant revealed.
Chris’ salary has never been officially confirmed, but it’s been reported he earned around $8 MILLION per season of the .
While ’s season last year was “originally on the cheaper side” as the show only filmed in Palm Springs, the budget rose when “filming extended longer than expected.”
As she left early on to be with boyfriend Dale Moss, stepped in to be the new - causing many unplanned production issues which “added up.”
The source said that this season was “much more organized” behind the scenes from a production standpoint because they had more time to “prepare for Covid protocols.”
Reps for ABC did not immediately respond to The Sun's request for comment.
Last month, The Sun exclusively gave an in-depth look at the five-star Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa - which has been completely shut off to the public to film .
A staffer at the resort revealed to The Sun that Bachelorette producers rented “the entire” property - which filmed in March and April.
Earlier this year, fans were shocked last week as it was announced , 49, will be replaced by former leads Tayshia and for the on-camera role.
However, the insider noted both Kaitlyn and Tayshia's salaries "combined are still a fraction of what Chris made."
After each finding love of their own, will return to the ABC series as co-hosts for the newest season.
The popular franchise has had a dark cloud over it all through season 25, led by .
It all kicked off after contestant was discovered to have in 2018.
After for her social media history, the problems escalated when host Chris stood in her corner with former Rachel Lindsay on Extra.
Chris then after viewers heard him speak to Good Morning America in his interview with .
An insider close to the show previously explained that the former face of the franchise is “mortified” he isn’t coming back.
“He pushed very hard with execs at the network. He was persistent for weeks, checking in and promising to do whatever it took to keep the job, almost to the point where he was begging.
Most read in Celebrity
“I don’t think he ever thought there would be a world without him as host. He really believed he would be asked to come back.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“And he never in a million years thought they would do a season without him,” the informant spilled.
begins TONIGHT on airing Monday’s at 8pm ET on ABC.