Chris Harrison 'Blindsided And Betrayed' By Permanent Bachelor Exit, Thinks It's 'Tacky' Other Stars Are 'Gunning For His Job So Soon': Source
It’s the most dramatic season yet — at least for Chris Harrison. An OK! source claims that after nearly two decades as host of The Bachelor franchise, Harrison, 49, is privately livid with ABC’s decision to make his recent hiatus permanent.
“He felt blindsided and betrayed,” shares the source, adding that Harrison believed his recent scandal — in which he defended Bachelor winner Rachael Kirkconnell’s racially insensitive past — “would blow over, and he’d be welcomed back.”
Adds the insider, “Chris may have been overly optimistic that his almost two-decade tenure would have weight with the network.”
Instead, the show went on without him, as plans were made to replace him on Katie Thurston’s current Bachelorette season (with former leads Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams), and on spinoff Bachelor in Paradise with comedian David Spade.
- Ashley Iaconetti 'Disappointed' By Chris Harrison's 'The Bachelor' Exit, Says She Wishes He Would Stick Around As Host
- Rachel Lindsay 'Didn't Expect' Chris Harrison's Exit From 'The Bachelor,' Speculates What Led To His Permanent Departure
- Dr. Phil Believes Axed 'Bachelor' Host Chris Harrison Was Treated 'Unfairly': 'He Deserves a Second Chance'
“Chris might say he doesn’t hold grudges toward the guest hosts, but part of him thinks it’s tacky of other stars to be gunning for his job so soon,” spills the source. Even after securing a cushy settlement from the network — “It could be higher than $50 million,” notes the source — the ousted frontman is still indignant about losing the gig.
“Chris feels like the way they pushed him out was unfair,” says the source. “He apologized and meant it — though some skeptics still believe he was insincere.”
While Harrison has already put out feelers for new opportunities, the source claims he plans to take a relaxing vacation first — and may also have some bombshells up his sleeve. “There are whispers he could be planning a tell-all on secrets of the show,” spills the source.
"Rumor has is his settlement included a clause preventing him from bad-mouthing the franchise, but there are people tied to the show who want to speak out on his behalf and expose the dirtier scandals fans don’t even know about. Chris is a big believer in karma, so Bachelor beware!”
