Chris Harrison Makes Rare Comment About Exiting "Bachelor" Franchise, Feeling 'Relief' After Leaving L.A.
- - Chris Harrison Makes Rare Comment About Exiting "Bachelor" Franchise, Feeling 'Relief' After Leaving L.A. (Exclusive)
Sarah JonesOctober 28, 2025 at 12:06 AM
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John Fleenor via Getty Images Chris Harrison -
Chris Harrison says he "feels wonderful" after exiting The Bachelor in 2021
For nearly two decades, Harrison was the face of one of television's most-talked about franchises
Harrison also teases a "next chapter coming up very soon" in an exclusive interview with wife Lauren Zima
Chris Harrison is opening up about his life after The Bachelor — and why stepping away turned out to be exactly what he needed.
For nearly two decades, Harrison, 54, was the face of one of television's most-talked about franchises. He hosted The Bachelor from its debut in 2002 and became a steady fixture across its many spin-offs, including The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise.
In 2021, Harrison officially exited the franchise after 19 years amid controversy. Looking back now, he says leaving ultimately came with an unexpected sense of relief.
"It feels wonderful, and thanks for asking that, because I wasn't sure it would," he told PEOPLE exclusively ahead of a sold-out fundraising gala for Experience Camps, a national nonprofit that provides free grief support to children who have lost a parent or sibling, when asked about post-Bachelor life. (Harrison hosted the event alongside his wife, former Entertainment Tonight host and producer, Lauren Zima, 37, on Oct. 23.)
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Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima.
"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 says.
"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… And then 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."
The couple has also found a new rhythm since moving from Los Angeles to Austin, and buying a home there in 2020. Harrison, who is from Dallas, wanted to move back to Texas, and Zima also fell in love with the city, so they chose Austin for a fresh start to build their life together.
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Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima
"I mean, what I love most about the new chapter is the fact that Austin is the new Hollywood and which means the opportunities are a plenty here," he says.
"There is so much tech, music, food, entertainment, theater. It's all happening here. And it reminds me 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 adds, "We've met so many incredible people from all around the world, from all different industries that just want to collaborate and do great things. And it's so exciting to be a part of. The energy is truly palpable in this city right now, and it's just fun to jump in and go with the flow."
Harrison credits that environment — and his relationship with Zima — with inspiring him to embrace new creative goals.
"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. 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 teases.
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Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima joined by Bachelor Nation to support Experience Camps.
When pressed for details, Harrison says with a laugh, "No, but I promise, we'll be calling you." As for what comes next? "TBD," he demurs. "That's a promise."
The former Bachelor host and the Emmy-winning host and producer — who tied the knot at Ranch Austin two years ago — returned to the same venue to host the philanthropic event, called "Experience: Austin," which raised more than $800,000 to help launch the nonprofit's first Texas location.
Zima's father, Gary, died 15 years ago, and she connected with Experience Camps after sharing reflections about her grief online. "It's the great honor of my life," she says of becoming a counselor with the organization three years ago.
"I first got involved with Experience Camps," she says. "Somebody slid into my DMs as so many great things start from, including our relationship, actually."
Harrison adds, "What I have seen through Zima's eyes and meeting these kids is transformational… to have a place where it's normal and where you're surrounded by others, where you don't have to explain yourself, you're not gonna be bullied, you're not gonna be made fun of because others don't understand what you went through as a child is amazingly comforting to these kids."
Bachelor Nation showed up in full force including Ben Higgins, Kelley Flanagan, Andrew Firestone, Catherine Giudici Lowe, Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar, Connor Saeli, and Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk. Andrew served as auctioneer in his first public appearance since his split, earning laughs and praise from guests.
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