Chris Harrison Says Hosting ‘The Bachelor’ Has Made Him a Better Person
For 18 years, Chris Harrison has hosted The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
With Bachelor Peter Weber’s season underway, Chris is becoming nostalgic and says he has become a better person for hosting the longtime ABC series.
While speaking to reporters at the Television Critics Association (TCA) winter press tour, Chris said that in nearly two decades being on the show, his personal evolution as host and friend to the contestants has changed.
“Eighteen years ago, it was probably 90/10 or 80/20 [percent] where I was host because I know you have to earn those stripes. You have to earn the respect. You have to earn the trust,” he explained. “But as I’ve gotten older and I’ve lived through my own life experiences and obviously they’ve seen me host, and word has gotten around throughout the [Bachelor] family that I am someone to be trusted and someone to be leaned on.”
“And I have never thrown anybody under the bus or backed the bus over anybody that didn’t deserve it,” he added. “And so I think I’ve earned the spot of being the friend and the confidant. And so now it’s probably 75/25 [percent] of being that friend and the confidant. And then 25 percent is probably hosting and producing the show.”
As far as what he’s personally learned:
“You know, I’ve learned a ton,” he explains. “I mean, honestly and obviously growing old on the show and going through what I’ve gone through personally since the show’s been on, but also just watching that everybody does have this insatiable appetite for it.”
He added, “I think I am a better therapist, listener, interrogator. And I would hope, you know, you’d have to ask my girlfriend if I’m more understanding of a human being. I think I am.”
With 18 years of hosting the single most watched dating competition in TV history, we’d be surprised if his perspective on love didn’t change! We’re happy he’s able to look back and smile. We love ya, Chris!