When the long-time host of “The Bachelor,” Chris Harrison, departed in 2021, fans were shocked.
Following the harsh reaction he received for an interview with former “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay, Harry had taken a step back from the show (via ET).
Harrison defended “Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s past racially insensitive statements during his appearance, asking fans to give her “grace” and remarking on the “woke police.”
Harrison later apologized to Lindsay and others that he offended. Meanwhile, Lindsay revealed that she was very by Harrison’s permanent exit from the franchise.
“I gotta say, I am [shocked]. I wasn’t expecting for it to happen, not after the announcement,” Lindsay said following the controversy.She said that the choice was most likely influenced, in part, by the fact that several previous contestants had expressed concern about Harrison.
“I think Katie Thurston, her very last tweet before she went to film her season was that Chris needed to step away,” she said. “I think that, coupled with the interview that happened on this very stage, maybe led to him not coming back.”
Lindsay went on to say how, over the show’s 19-year history, Harrison had been increasingly absent. It’s possible that producers — or even Harrison himself — wanted to call it quits. “Maybe that’s the case,” she said. “We don’t know.”
Now, Lindsay is revealing how her ex-boyfriend’s actions have impacted her personal life.
Lindsay discusses the criticism she has received since leaving The Bachelor, including from Chris Harrison
The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison was slammed for his controversial interview with Rachel Lindsay, but the former reality star claims she was also severely affected by it.
When word leaked that Lindsay had been cast as the new host of “The Bachelor,” some enraged fans harassed her online, even issuing death threats, according to People.
“I’m used to being misunderstood,” Lindsay said. “But people who didn’t even watch the show were saying, ‘That woman got that man canceled.’ I had commenters saying they hoped I was infertile. That ripped me up inside.”
Lindsay has stated that she still receives hate on the internet in regards to the situation, which has been going on for many months.
“I still get messages blaming me for the show not being the way it used to be. But I think that’s a good thing,” she said, adding it was “never part of some master plan” for Harrison to leave the franchise.
Lindsay, on the other hand, is expecting a lot from this reality dating show. “I hope the show steps up and diversifies more, whether it’s with age or gender or race. I would like for them to naturally and organically step into 2022,” she said.
After Harrison’s departure, Jesse Palmer, a former “Bachelor” participant, was chosen to replace him as the program’s host.
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