Due to an ongoing racism controversy, Chris Harrison had to step down as the host for The Bachelor. He was finally giving an interview on Thursday. Even though the show is down to its last couple of episodes, fans of program are interested in gaining information about Harrison’s possible return.
Harrison states in his most recent interview: “I plan to be back and I want to be back. This interview is not the finish line,” Harrison told Michael Strahan on ABC’s Good Morning America. “There is much more work to be done and I am excited to be a part of that change.”
Strahan wonders what changes Harrison will bring to the show: “His apology is his apology, but it felt like it got nothing more than a surface response on any of this,” Strahan noted after the interview. “Obviously, he is the man who wants to clearly stay on the show, but only time will tell if there is any meaning behind his words.”
The virtual interview was Harrison’s first since 2002. A previous interview from Feb. 9, was hosted by Rachel Lindsay about a current contestant on the show, Rachel Kirkconnell, who has been demonstrating racist behavior. She has since apologized for her actions, but it was interesting that an interview would ask Harrison about it because he was accused of similar things.
Harrison supported the contestant: “Well, Rachel, is it a good look in 2018, or is it not a good look in 2021? Because there’s a big difference,” he argued during the Extra interview. His comments were called “problematic” and were viewed by many stars and fans as being representative of a systemic problem with race within The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and its many spinoff series. “It’s like racism is a cancer that keeps plaguing this franchise and I don’t understand why,” former Bachelor contestant Natasha Parker had summed up on an episode of her franchise-sponsored podcast, Clickbait With Bachelor Nation.
“I’m an imperfect man. I made a mistake and I own that,” Harrison told Strahan on Thursday of his comments. “I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to progress, not just for myself, also for the franchise. Antebellum parties are not OK; past, present, future. Knowing what that represents is unacceptable.”
Shortly after the interview, Lindsay received backlash on social media and decided to take down her Instagram. Harrison responded with, “To anyone who is throwing hate to Rachel Lindsay: Please stop, it is unacceptable,” he said on GMA. “I am saddened and shocked at how insensitive I was in that interview with Rachel Lindsay. I didn’t speak from my heart. And that is to say, I stand against all forms of racism and I am deeply sorry. I’m sorry to Rachel Lindsay and I am sorry to the Black community.”
The producers of the show are trying to remedy the racial behavior by hiring its first black contestant and a diverse group of technical staff for the show. “Did Chris Harrison not sit through that [diversity training]? I’m confused as to how you could have [consultants] working for you, yet what just happened, happens. So, are people going through training? Are they learning things?” Lindsay had questioned after her Harrison interview. Lindsay, who was the first Black Bachelorette in 2017, has been sharing her reaction to the interview and the ensuing dialogue surrounding the franchise on her Higher Learning podcast for The Ringer. (She is also contracted by the franchise with her Bachelor Nation podcast Bachelor Happy Hour, which she was absent from for the March 2 episode in order to film the show).
Lindsay believes the show needs more time to remove its systemic racism. “You’re going to go into another season but you still have all these issues. How have you fixed them coming into a new season? You really haven’t. So I think that they need to just take a beat, figure things out, regroup and then bring the product back to us to a way that we can all enjoy it the way that we used to,” Lindsay said.
Harrison offered another apology after the backlash of his support for a racist character. It is now breaking news that Harrison will not be returning for the end of the season. He will be replaced by Emmanuel Acho, who will host the finale on March 15.
“My words were harmful,” Harrison said on his social media apology, speaking directly to the BIPOC community (which includes 25 contestants from James’ season). “I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the people from these communities who I’ve had enlightening conversations with over the past few days, and I am so grateful to those who have reached out to help me on my path to anti-racism.” He said that he was “dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before,” telling the crew and viewers, “this is not just a moment, but a commitment to much greater understanding that I will actively make every day.”
Harrison is currently going through sensitivity and cultural awareness training. There is still the possibility that he may return to host The Bachelorette.