Chris Harrison Makes Rare Comment About ‘Bachelor’ Exit, Leaving Los Angeles for Texas
Harrison, 54, left his longtime job hosting the ABC dating franchise in June 2021 amid controversy. He had been host for 19 years. In a new interview with People published on Monday, October 27, he reflected on his exit, saying, “It feels wonderful, and thanks for asking that, because I wasn’t sure it would.”
Harrison has since moved from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas, and married former Entertainment Tonight host Lauren Zima. The pair will celebrate their second wedding anniversary in November.
“You know, when you do something every single day for two decades, and it’s so popular around the world, there is a pressure to that, and there’s a spotlight and a microscope that you don’t even realize you’re under until you kinda get off that merry-go-round,” Harrison told
The transition from hosting The Bachelor and The Bachelorette — a full-time, all-consuming job — to having no role in the franchise was not easy at first.
“And it was this kind of angst when I first got off, because I mean, ‘Oh, well, I gotta get back on. I gotta go back to work,’ or … ,” Harrison recalled.
“And then,” he added, “I kind of took a deep breath and you dropped your shoulders, and I think, you know, obviously falling in love definitely helped, moving to Austin definitely helped kind of relieve that and realize, ‘Wow, there’s a whole other world out here to dive into.’ And so it has been a wonderful break and relief.”
Harrison called Austin “the new Hollywood” and said the city “reminds [him] of what Hollywood was built on, which is anything and everything is possible if everybody will just come in with an honest, open heart and mind and just wanna do some fun work together.”
Harrison teased that he and Zima, 37, have a project in the works.
“Honestly, for the first time in a long time, that fire has been reignited with this amazing woman to dive back in and do some creative work,” he said. “And there is a next chapter coming up very soon for both of us that is … we’re going to be very excited to talk about.”
Harrison and Zima began dating in 2018 after she sent him a DM, feeling a “vibe.” Five years and one wedding later, he launched “The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever” with his wife by his side.
During the third episode in 2023, Zima revealed that “people in the industry” told her to break up with Harrison during his professional separation from Bachelor Nation.
“I’m divorced too,” she said at the time. “To me, everybody is going to make mistakes. … It’s all about how you respond to those mistakes. I did not break up with Chris — that was never even on my mind. Because right away, Chris knew he had been imperfect, knew he had made a mistake, knew that he’d hurt people and that he was so sorry for hurting people.”
The Forresters Creations Crew Outs Remy’s Dirty Deeds [Recap]
Sheila Thanks Taylor for Keeping Him from Turning to Another
Taylor is having a tense conversation with Sheila in her office. She says whatever Deacon decided about their marriage is his to tell her. Sheila blows past her words and simply thanks Taylor for whatever she did because Deacon came home to her. She doesn’t know what she would have done if her husband divorced her. He is the only man for her, but she knows there are women out there (or right across from her) who find Deacon attractive and desire him. Sheila admits there was something inside of her which made her worry he would turn to another…
Deacon’s Loyalty to Sheila Perplexes Brooke on The Bold and the Beautiful
Brooke and Deacon are chatting about his therapy sessions and marriage at the pizza kitchen. Brooke is impressed with how Taylor worked her magic on him. Deacon vaguely admits she definitely has him thinking. He says he is simply trying to be a loyal and devoted husband. Brooke is astounded he feels that way after she lied to him about Luna along with all the other things she’s done. Deacon gets it but says he has to find a way to forgive and forget. Brooke is concerned and notes she isn’t the only one. Deacon knows his daughter is going to give him the business and Brooke confirms as she loves her father. Neither Deke nor Hope are going to be thrilled about him reuniting with Sheila. Deacon knows his children are in a good space and wants to support them, especially Deke. He notes how his son has found love and is introducing him to the Forrester crew at his party tonight.
Previous The Bold and the Beautiful (B&B) Recap: Remy’s Sketchy Past Threatens to Shatter Deke’s Big Night at Forrester Creations
Deke Learns About Remy’s Dirty Deeds on The Bold and the Beautiful
Deke has no clue what is going on as the Forrester crew confronts him about his beloved. Remy reminds Deke how he said not to mention his name at Forrester. He admits he went to high school with Electra and they were best friends. In fact, he moved to Los Angeles because of her. Remy explains how they wanted to both make it in the fashion industry like he has and goes on to say how proud he is of his boyfriend. Will interrupts and almost growls for Remy to tell Deke the entire truth about how he used and traumatized Electra.
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