Entertainment
The Bachelorette’s Chris Harrison replaced by Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe after backlash
Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe are set to replace Chris Harrison on The Bachelorette.
Chris stepped back from his role in Bachelor Nation after he was criticised for defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell when she was accused of racist behaviour.
Emmanuel Acho was announced as his replacement as host of The Bachelor: After the Final Rose special.
A statement from Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment, issued to PageSix, has confirmed Tayshia and Kaitlyn’s roles in the next season, saying: ‘Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of The Bachelorette.
‘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 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.
‘These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world.’
Tayshia, 30, replaced Clare Crawley as the lead on season 16 of The Bachelorette, while Kaitlyn, 35, starred on season 11.
Chris came under fire when he defended Rachael after photos emerged of her in attendance at a ‘plantation-themed fraternity party’ in 2018.
She has since apologised, calling her past actions ‘racist and offensive’.
Chris previously asked people to show her ‘compassion’ and claimed she was being ‘thrown to the wolves’ but he has since apologised, describing his actions as ‘so wrong’.
The 49-year-old said: ‘I have spent the last few days listening to the pain my words have caused, and I am deeply remorseful. My ignorance did damage to my friends, colleagues and strangers alike. I have no one to blame but myself for what I have said and the way I spoke.
‘I set standards for myself, and have not met them. I feel that with every fiber of my being. Now, just as I taught my children to stand up, and to own their actions, I will do the same.
‘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.
‘To the Black community, to the BIPOC community: I am so sorry. My words were harmful. 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’m so grateful to those who have reached out to help me on my path to anti-racism.
‘This historic season of The Bachelor should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions.
‘To that end, I have consulted with Warner Bros and ABC and will be stepping aside for a period of time and will not join for the After The Final Rose special.
‘I am dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before. I want to ensure our cast and crew members, to my friends, colleagues, and our fans: this is not just a moment, but a commitment to much greater understanding that I will actively make every day.
‘From here I can only try to evolve and be a better man and I humble myself before all of you. I hope I will again live up to the expectations you all rightfully have for me and the expectations I have for myself.’
Chris has hosted The Bachelor and its spin-off shows since 2002.
The Bachelor: After the Final Rose special will air on March 15 on ABC.
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