What Happened to Chris Harrison? Why was Chris Harrison Fired? Where is Chris Harrison Now? What is Chris Harrison Doing Now?
by Mathelene | Updated Nov 10, 2023
What Happened to Chris Harrison?
Chris Harrison, who hosted 'The Bachelor' for almost 20 years, left the show in February 2021 amid controversy. In Season 25, issues arose when a contestant, Rachael Kirkconnell, faced accusations of attending a racially insensitive party and bullying. Chris Harrison's response to this drew criticism for downplaying the situation.
He announced his departure on February 13, 2022. In 2023, he started a podcast, sharing insights into the events. Chris moved back to Texas, crediting his fiancée for the decision. He's thrilled about his daughter heading to Texas Christian University and remains involved in his children's lives.
Notably, Chris is now an ordained minister and officiates weddings. Despite leaving 'The Bachelor,' he holds no animosity and keeps track of the show's ratings but doesn't watch the episodes.
Fresherslive is your gateway to staying informed about current news and trends. Our articles are concise, informative, and accessible to all readers. Join our community of informed individuals and start reading today to stay up-to-date.
Who is Chris Harrison?
Christopher Bryan Harrison is an American TV and game show host best known for hosting ABC's dating show "The Bachelor" from 2002 to 2021, as well as its spin-offs like "The Bachelorette" (2003-2021), "Bachelor Pad" (2010-2012), and "Bachelor in Paradise" (2014-2021).
Additionally, he hosted related shows such as the first season of "Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise" in 2015, "Bachelor Live" in 2016, and "The Bachelor Winter Games" in 2018. Harrison extended his hosting role to the syndicated version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" from 2015 to 2019. His tenure on these reality and game shows made him a familiar face on American television.
Chris Harrison Age
As of 2023, Chris Harrison is 52 years old. Harrison, a Dallas native, was born on July 26, 1971 in the city and completed his high school education at Lake Highlands High School in 1989. He pursued higher education at Oklahoma City University, where he attended on a soccer scholarship.
During his college years, he became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. This period marked his initiation into Greek life. Harrison's journey from his Dallas roots to his college experiences reflects his early life, combining sports and academics. The Kappa Sigma fraternity became a part of his collegiate identity, shaping his social and community involvement during his time at Oklahoma City University.
Chris Harrison Career
Chris Harrison's career started in the early '90s as a sports reporter at CBS affiliate KWTV in Oklahoma City. He also had brief stints at TVG Network, a horse racing channel, and hosted Designers' Challenge on HGTV. In 2001, Harrison hosted the short-lived game show Mall Masters for GSN. Over the years, he made appearances in various shows, including a guest spot on Sabrina the Teenage Witch in 2002.
Harrison broadened his hosting roles, co-hosting the American Music Awards pre-show in 2008 and anchoring red carpet awards coverage for the TV Guide Network. He co-hosted the game show You Deserve It in 2011 and hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire from 2015 to 2016. In 2015, he also ventured into writing, publishing his first romance novel, The Perfect Letter. Harrison hosted several reality dating shows, including The Bachelor and its spinoffs.
However, his long association with The Bachelor franchise came to an end in 2021 after controversy surrounding his defense of a contestant accused of racism, leading to his temporary and later permanent departure from the show in June 2021.
Why was Chris Harrison Fired?
Chris Harrison was not fired but chose to step away from hosting the "Bachelor" franchise in February 2022. The decision followed a controversial interview in which he defended a contestant, Rachael Kirkconnell, for her past racist behavior. Kirkconnell had attended an antebellum-themed party in 2018.
The interview sparked criticism for downplaying the issue. After facing backlash and realizing the impact of his comments, Harrison apologized in March 2021. However, the fallout persisted, leading to his departure. The controversy prompted a shift in the show's hosting lineup, with guest hosts taking over. In 2023, Harrison launched a podcast to share insights into the events, expressing the need for time to reflect and learn from the experience.
Where is Chris Harrison Now?
Chris Harrison is currently residing in his home state of Texas, particularly in Austin. He moved back to Texas, crediting the decision to his fiancée. In March 2022, he shared his excitement about returning to his roots in an Instagram post, saying he never dreamed it could be as good as it is. Chris has been actively involved in his children's lives, celebrating his daughter's acceptance to Texas Christian University in May.
Aside from his personal life, he launched a podcast in early 2023 called "The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever … With Chris Harrison," where he discusses behind-the-scenes details and opens up about the events that led to his departure from the "Bachelor" franchise. Additionally, Chris has become an ordained minister, offering wedding officiation services since 2012. Despite no longer watching "The Bachelor," he stays informed about the show's ratings.
What is Chris Harrison Doing Now?
As mentioned before, Chris Harrison currently resides in Texas, specifically in Austin, with his fiancée. He launched a podcast in 2023, titled "The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever … With Chris Harrison," where he shares insights into his departure from the "Bachelor" franchise. Chris is actively involved in his children's lives, celebrating his daughter's acceptance to Texas Christian University.
He has also become an ordained minister, offering wedding officiation services since 2012. Despite stepping away from "The Bachelor," he keeps track of the show's ratings but doesn't watch the episodes.
What Happened to Chris Harrison? - FAQs
Chris Harrison left 'The Bachelor' in February 2021 amidst controversy surrounding his defense of a contestant involved in a racism-related incident.
The controversy arose when a contestant, Rachael Kirkconnell, faced accusations of attending an antebellum-themed party. Chris Harrison's comments defending Kirkconnell's actions drew criticism for downplaying the issue.
Chris Harrison launched a podcast in 2023, titled "The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever … With Chris Harrison," where he discusses behind-the-scenes events. He has also moved back to Texas, become an ordained minister, and officiates weddings.
Chris Harrison currently resides in Austin, Texas, and is actively involved in his children's lives. He launched a podcast, became an ordained minister, and keeps track of 'The Bachelor' ratings, though he doesn't watch the episodes.
Chris Harrison hosted various shows, including 'The Bachelorette,' 'Bachelor Pad,' 'Bachelor in Paradise,' 'Mall Masters,' and the syndicated version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.'