Chris Harrison has been the face of The Bachelor for years . However, he left the show for good in 2021 after hosting it for 19 years.
Before his departure, Harrison was criticized for defending one of the contestants, Rachael Kirkconnell, who reportedly took part in a "plantation-themed" show in 2018 Sorority party. At the time, Harrison called for "a little tolerance, a little understanding, a little compassion," Kirkconnell told Extra .
Shortly after defending her, he admitted on "Good Morning America" that his comments were a "mistake." However, the controversy eventually led to his permanent departure from the show.
"I knew I had to get rid of myself"
Despite Harrison hosting the show for nearly two decades, he now claims he has no regrets about leaving. As the former host explained on the Secrets of the Deal podcast , the scandal was "shocking" to experience.
“What I went through was chaotic,” he said on the podcast. "I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It's scary on so many levels - I pray to God that my worst enemy would never go through something like this."
According to Harrison, he has decided to quit the show. "I knew I had to get out of this toxic situation," he said.
He did not explain specifically how the situation became toxic, but earlier this year, Harrison admitted that the scandal affected his mental and physical health.
"I lost 20 pounds. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat," he said on the first episode of his podcast , The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever . "It was just one punch after another and I was deteriorating mentally and physically."
No regrets
While Harrison is now happy that he left The Bachelor franchise in the wake of the scandal, he also has fond memories of his time as host.
"I still consider (the show) a blessing because it changed my life on so many levels," he said. "Financially, of course. It changed my life. It changed my children's lives."
He added: "It changed my life but at the same time I can be grateful that I'm gone. I don't have to be in this relationship anymore because it's not healthy."
Harrison has been busy since leaving The Bachelor . Earlier this year, he married Entertainment Tonight producer Lauren Zima. He also launched his own podcast, and his children are starting college. As he wrote on Instagram in 2022, "Now begins the life of an empty nester."
