Chris Harrison is returning to dating television for the first time in five years, but some viewers may still be wondering exactly what happened to end his nearly two-decade run as the face of The Bachelor franchise.
Harrison, who hosted The Bachelor and its various spinoffs beginning in 2002, is back with Chris Harrison’s The Vow, a new dating series premiering Nov. 11 on FOX Nation.
His departure from ABC’s reality dating franchise in 2021 followed a controversy involving comments he made about a contestant’s attendance at an antebellum-themed party. What began as a temporary break ultimately became a permanent split, with Harrison reportedly receiving a substantial settlement.
Why Was Chris Harrison Fired From ‘The Bachelor’?
The controversy began in February 2021, during Matt James’ season of The Bachelor. James was the franchise’s first Black male lead, and one of his contestants Rachael Kirkconnell came under scrutiny after photographs surfaced showing her attending an Old South-themed fraternity formal in 2018.
Harrison addressed the situation during an interview with Rachel Lindsay, who had made history as the franchise’s first Black Bachelorette.
Rather than unequivocally condemning the event, Harrison urged viewers to extend compassion to Kirkconnell and questioned whether people were applying contemporary standards to behavior from several years earlier.
“We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion,” Harrison told Lindsay, according to CBS News.
When Lindsay pointed out that the photographs were from an antebellum-themed party in 2018, Harrison asked, “Is it a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021?”
“It’s not a good look ever,” Lindsay responded.
The exchange sparked widespread criticism, with viewers and former contestants accusing Harrison of minimizing racism and dismissing Lindsay’s concerns. Harrison subsequently apologized for his comments, acknowledging that his response had caused harm.
“By excusing historical racism, I defended it,” he wrote in a since-deleted Instagram statement. “I invoked the term ‘woke police,’ which is unacceptable. I am ashamed over how uninformed I was. I was so wrong.”
When Did Chris Harrison Leave ‘The Bachelor’?
Official trailer for ‘Chris Harrison’s The Vow’ on Fox Nation (1:00)On Feb. 13, 2021, Harrison announced that he would temporarily step away from the franchise, including the upcoming After the Final Rose special.
“This historic season of The Bachelor should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions,” he wrote.
He also pledged to educate himself and work toward a greater understanding of the issues raised by the controversy. Although his initial departure was described as temporary, Harrison never returned to his hosting duties. In June 2021, his permanent exit was announced following negotiations involving representatives for Harrison and the companies behind the franchise.
According to Deadline, Harrison reached a confidential settlement with the show’s producers and distributor Warner Horizon, reportedly involving a payment in the mid-eight figures. The precise financial terms were not publicly confirmed.
While Harrison’s departure is often described as a firing, the publicly reported circumstances involved an initial decision to step aside followed by a negotiated permanent separation.
What Is Chris Harrison Doing Now?
Five years later, Harrison is returning to the genre with Chris Harrison’s The Vow, which follows 30-year-old Jace Cates as he searches for a wife among 10 contestants.
The new series focuses on faith, communication, family and shared values, with Harrison guiding the participants through conversations about marriage and long-term compatibility.
The show also reunites Harrison with several former colleagues, while his wife Lauren Zima serves as an executive producer.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio, Harrison admitted that returning to the set of a dating show was more emotional than he expected.
“I kind of lost it a couple of times and I didn’t see that coming,” he said. “It felt good.”
Harrison also acknowledged that he still watches the ratings for The Bachelor and has noticed its declining ratings since his departure, although he emphasized that he continues to care about the people who work on the franchise.
Chris Harrison’s The Vow premieres Wednesday, Nov. 11, exclusively on FOX Nation, marking the beginning of a new television chapter for the longtime host.
Related: Chris Harrison Compares ‘The Bachelor’ to an Ex You Want to See Gain 20 Pounds, Suggests Former Show Is ‘Jealous’
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