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8 Bachelor Alums Who Should Be Considered For the Hosting Gig

19/02/2021 - 09:35 PM

After a controversial interview [1] with Bachelorette alum Rachel Lindsay, Chris Harrison has announced he's temporarily stepping down as host [2] of The Bachelor [3]. He won't appear on Matt James's [4] "After the Final Rose" special, and we don't know when (or if) he'll return.

For over 40 seasons and 18 years, the franchise has lacked diversity amongst its contestants, leads, and host. ABC now has an opportunity to step up and make a meaningful decision regarding the replacement.

As a women, POC, and devoted fan of the show, I strongly feel Bachelor Nation needs to appoint a host — or co-hosts — that better represent the BIPOC community. I've pulled together a list of eight Bachelor and Bachelorette alums that I'd love to see take Harrison's spot. These past contestants have the hosting chops, could bring diversity to the show, and would be entertaining to watch!

Rachel Lindsay

Since becoming The Bachelorette [5]'s first Black lead, Rachel has gone on to host MTV's Ghosted: Love Gone Missing, ESPN's First Take, a radio show called Football Frenzy, two podcasts, and is now a special correspondent for Extra.

Rachel also found love through Bachelor Nation; she's now married to Bryan Abasolo, who was a contestant on her season of the show. Rachel is adored by fans, is outspoken about the franchise's lack of diversity, has stayed part of the Bachelor [6] Nation conversation through her podcast Bachelor Happy Hour, and has ample on-screen experience that she can channel into being the franchise's next host.

While we'd love to see her on the show again, it doesn't seem likely that Rachel would agree to host. "I think the bigger picture is that there is an issue and Chris is recognising it [7], other people are recognising [it], and I think if my message is to really make change and to really create a level of awareness, then I can't be focussed on trying to take somebody else's job," she told E! News. "I am just focussed on really us getting to a place of unity where we can all be better."

After all Rachel has given to the show, she should not be excepted to step up and "fix" the franchise's diversity issue.

Tayshia Adams

Tayshia Adams was a breakout on Colton Underwood's Bachelor season, season six of Bachelor in Paradise, and as the lead on the latter half of season 16 of The Bachelorette [8]. The biracial star is Black and Mexican, has guest hosted on Entertainment Tonight, and cohosts a Bachelor Nation podcast called Click Bait. Tayshia also has her own feel-good story from her season - she found love as the Bachelorette [9], and is currently engaged to the recipient of her final rose, Zac Clark [10]! Between her appearances on several Bachelor shows, her hosting experience, and bubbly personality, Tayshia's definitely a viable option as the franchise's next host.

Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson was one of the few Black contestants on season 15 of The Bachelorette [11] and on season six of Bachelor in Paradise. He left such a memorable impression on fans that many were convinced he would be the show's next lead . . . then ABC picked Peter Weber.

Mike would be a great choice for host because he's continued to take part in love, sex, and relationship conversations by guesting on dating podcasts, and is now cohosting Bachelor Nation's Talking It Out podcast with Rachel Lindsay's husband Bryan Abasolo. Similar to Tayshia, the fact that Mike is already working with Bachelor Nation may make the transition into hosting the show a natural choice.

Becca Kufrin

Becca Kufrin starred on The Bachelorette [12] in 2018 after "winning" Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s season of The Bachelor [13]. Since then, Becca cohosted The Bachelor Live On Stage with Ben Higgins has remained vocal about the franchise's shortcomings via Bachelor Happy Hour.

Becca would make a great choice as host or cohost of the show because she's proven to be a BIPOC ally, publicly advocating for Black Lives Matter and diversity within Bachelor Nation itself. If you haven't heard her conversation with Rachel about allyship on the Feb. 16 episode of Bachelor Happy Hour, please listen!

Jillian Harris

Jillian Harris first appeared on season 13 of The Bachelor [14], and then went on to make Bachelor history as the first (and only) Canadian lead of The Bachelorette [15] in its fifth season. Since her time on the show, Jillian's notably gone on to host five seasons of Love It or List It Vancouver and one season of Canada's Handyman Challenge. She's also cameoed on The Bachelorette Canada, and appeared on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Beyond her 10+ years of onscreen experience, Jillian would bring diversity to Bachelor Nation as a female host, and would be sure to entertain with her funny personality and ability to ask the tough questions.

Ben Higgins

Ben Higgins made a splash in Bachelor Nation on season 11 of The Bachelorette [16], and went on to star in The Bachelor [17] in 2016. He remained affiliated with the franchise by appearing as a contestant on the spinoff Bachelor Winter Games, and even had a reality show called Ben and Lauren, Happily Ever After? with his now ex-fiancé. Ben also hosted The Bachelor Live On Stage with Becca Kufrin, has preached antiracism and publicly decried Chris Harrison's controversial interview, and has hosting practice from coleading the popular Almost Famous podcast with Bachelor Nation alum Ashley Iaconetti. Between that and Ben being a beloved Bachelor alum, he'd be an ideal choice as the next host or cohost of the franchise.

Wells Adams

Though it feels like forever ago now, Wells Adams appeared as a contestant on JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette [18] and on season three of Bachelor in Paradise. Since his days as a contestant, Wells has become a fan favourite through his numerous appearances on Bachelor in Paradise as the resident bartender.

Although his continuous involvement within the franchise makes him a natural choice to consider as Chris Harrison's replacement, I wouldn't want him to host alone - if he's brought on, I'd like to see Bachelor Nation select a second cohost who belongs to the BIPOC community, to ensure there's someone who can help narrate the show in a way that celebrates and encourages diversity, and that shows Bachelor Nation is listening to the fans' ask to increase the franchise's BIPOC presence.

Catherine Giudici Lowe

Catherine Lowe won Sean Lowe's season of The Bachelor [19] in 2013, and the two are still together and married! Beyond being a product of the show's success, Catherine and Sean have guested on Bachelor in Paradise, and have stayed in the public eye by appearing on Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars. Catherine now has her own stationary line, which was inspired by the warm public reception she got for leaving Sean cute, quirky notes during their season together. Catherine's direct, witty, and has a brilliant TV presence, and would bring diversity to Bachelor Nation as a female host.


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