Chris Harrison's decision to step down after almost two decades of hosting ABC's The Bachelor and The Bachelorette wasn't too much of a surprise given the massive backlash he received due to his controversial race-related comments. In the wake of his departure, ABC announced that former contestants Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will take over as The Bachelorette co-hosts -- and they've now reacted after landing their new jobs.
Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe both participated on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette in past seasons. ABC's choice to replace former host Chris Harrison with the two women for the next season is a conscious decision that doesn't seem lost on the two. Bristowe posted a celebratory dance of the two with the caption “Let's go girls….” Check out the hilarious (and awkward) dance, set to the backdrop of Busta Rhymes’ “Get It” below:
Likewise, Tayshia Adams posted a photo of herself on Instagram, in which she can be seen basking in a halo of light. She wrote:
Trading in the crown and dress, but don’t stress.... so excited to spend another season with you all. See you on your television screen this summer! And you thought you could get rid of me
Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams’ excited reactions to their new hosting gigs are well-earned. The unfortunate circumstance following Matt James' season of The Bachelor is proof positive that new blood is needed to shake the dust off the dating show. Lady hosts leading the charge for the next Bachelorette will surely bring a more relatable and sensitive energy.
A shift in the conversation is certainly what the ABC network is hoping for with the decision. However, in its joint announcement with Warner horizon, the network revealed that Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams’ new hosting duties are technically only through next season in Chris Harrison's “absence.” In the post, they also wrote:
As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity an inclusion within The Bachelor franchise, we are dedicated to improving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks. These are important steps in effecting change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world.
It is unclear, then, whether the hosting change will extend long term. There's always the chance the network is considering a possible return for Chris Harrison at some point in the future.
Female viewers make up the majority demographic for both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, but their reactions on Twitter seem divided on the network dropping Chris Harrison for former contestants. Die-hard traditionalist fans are vowing to never watch the show again without Harrison, others are saying the two women are “the perfect choice.” Many pointed out that it doesn’t make much of a difference, since the host only has a minimal screen time anyway.
For the moment, though, Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe are choosing to celebrate the changing of the guard. Tune in this summer to see how they fare!
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