Longtime Bachelor Nation host Chris Harrison will not return to the upcoming season of "Bachelor in Paradise" following controversy over racially insensitive comments.
Instead, his role will be filled with celebrity guest hosts including David Spade, sources revealed to Variety. Offers to celebrity talent are still under consideration, but Spade's deal has reportedly been closed.
The news comes after Harrison came under fire earlier this year following an interview in which he defended "The Bachelor" contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who was accused of racially insensitive past behavior after photos emerged on social media of her attending an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity formal in 2018.
Many said Harrison was defending racist behavior. Shortly after, he announced in a statement on Instagram that he would be stepping down from the franchise for "a period of time." He also apologized for the interview.
"By excusing historical racism, I defended it. I invoked the term 'woke police,' which is unacceptable. I am ashamed over how uninformed I was. I was so wrong," Harrison wrote.
"To the Black community, to the BIPOC community: I am so sorry," he continued. "My words were harmful. I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you," Harrison continued. "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."
In a separate post, Harrison extended an apology to the Bachelor Nation.
"To my Bachelor Nation family — I will always own a mistake when I make one, so I am here to extend a sincere apology," he wrote. "I have this incredible platform to speak about love, and yesterday I took a stance on topics about which I should have been better informed."
Harrison stated that he had caused harm "by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism." He proceeded to thank members of Bachelor Nation "who have reached out to me to hold me accountable. I promise to do better."
Since then, Harrison's career has been in limbo. Sources speaking with Variety said that no decision has been made as to whether or not he will remain in the franchise. Harrison meanwhile, is said to want to continue his hosting job and has no plans to walk away.
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Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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