Why isnt Chris Harrison hosting The Bachelorette this season? Why is he taking a break?
Chris Harrison has been absent from The Bachelorette franchise for the past year and will not be returning to host this year. Season 17 of The Bachelorette premieres tonight (Monday, June 7) at 8 p.m. on ABC with former contestant Katie Thurston as the lead. Heres everything to know about Harrisons absence from the show and how it got to this point. Harrison has stepped away from The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise after he was under fire for defending Rachael Kirkconnells controversial photos during an interview with former Bachelorette contestant Rachel Lindsay. At the time of the interview, Kirkconnell, the winner of the Matt James season of The Bachelorette, received backlash and allegations of racism after she posted photos online of her attending an Old South-themed party in 2018. When Harrison discussed the photos in question, he simply chalked it off to these girls having fun at that time. These girls got dressed and went to a party and had a great time. They were 18 years old. I dont know, Rachel, you tell me...but where is this lens were holding up and was that lens available and were we all looking through it in 2018? Harrison told Lindsay. Harrison then issued an apology via Instagram after he received pushback for his comments and announced he would be stepping back from The Bachelor franchise for an undetermined amount of time. Three weeks after Harrison posted his apology on social media, he went on an interview with Good Morning America to discuss the incident that landed him in hot water and addressed when he would make a return to the show. I plan to be back and I want to be back. And I think this franchise can be an important beacon of change. I know that change is felt, not just by me, but by many others, Harrison said. And we are excited and willing to do the work to show that progress...This interview is not the finish line. There is much more work to be done. And I am excited to be a part of that change, he continued. As much as Harrison wants to be back on the show, he will not appear on this upcoming season of The Bachelorette on Monday night. It is unclear if the leave is permanent, but it will at least be through this season of The Bachelorette and this upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise.  This season will instead be co-hosted by former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com  Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us at nj.com/tips.