Acho replaces Harrison as host of special after ‘Bachelor’ finale
Following “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison’s announcement that he would be “stepping aside” from the franchise amid controversy over excusing racism, the reality dating show announced Saturday that author and TV host Emmanuel Acho would take his place for the “After the Final Rose” special.
Set to air March 15, the one-hour special will air immediately following the show’s season finale. Acho and “Bachelor” star Matt James will discuss the season, James’ final decision and what he has been up to since, along with “current events about the franchise,” according to a news release.
Rachael Kirkconnell, the woman whose photo at a plantation-themed party in 2018 led to widespread backlash and defense from Harrison, will be present, as will James’ other finalists, Bri Springs and Michelle Young.
“I’ve accepted the Rose and am honored to be hosting the @bachelorabc After the Final Rose this year,” Acho wrote Saturday on Instagram. “It’s been a pivotal season, and this episode will hopefully be one of the most storied shows in TV history. Empathy is needed and change is coming.”
Rachel Lindsay, the first Black lead on “The Bachelorette,” interviewed Harrison on Feb. 9 on “Extra” about the backlash Kirkconnell was facing for liking Confederate flag-related TikToks and for a photo that appears to show her at a plantation-themed fraternity formal in 2018.
“We all need to have a little grace,” Harrison told Lindsay.
The “Bachelor” host apologized to Lindsay and the public for “wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism.” The next day, Harrison announced he would be “stepping aside” from his role as “Bachelor” host “for a period of time.”