‘Bachelor’ Franchise Host Chris Harrison Says Hosting Has Made Him A “Better Dad”

Published on January 21, 2020.

According to Chris Harrison himself, hosting the Bachelor franchise has changed him for the better.

The 48-year-old host revealed last week at the Television Critics Association winter press tour how his life has changed since he began hosting the iconic ABC dating franchise in 2002.

“Eighteen years ago, it was probably 90/10 or 80/20 [percent] where I was host. Because you have to earn their stripes,” Harrison told the press. “You have to earn the trust.”

He continued, “But as I’ve gotten older and I’ve lived in 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,” Harrison 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 host and producing the show.”

Harrison, who also hosts The Bachelor‘s successful spin-offs The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, explained that he’s “learned a ton” – personally and professionally – through his hosting duties.

“I mean, honestly and obviously growing old on the show and going through what I’ve gone through personally since the show has been on, but also just watching that everybody does have this insatiable appetite for it,” he said. “It’s the one currency that trades around the world, no matter where you are.”

Harrison – a father of two to son Joshua and daughter Taylor, who he shares with his ex-wife Gwen – also revealed that he’d become a better parent because of the ABC franchise.

“Everybody understands companionship, wants it, gets it, no matter what it looks like,” Harrison said. “And so I think I’m a better listener. I think I’m a better dad. I am much less of a black-and-white guy. And I think maybe when you’re younger, you’re a lot more like ‘My way or the highway’ when you’re a dad or even in a relationship.” He added: “And life’s not so black and white.”

He added that he believes he is “a better therapist, listener, interrogator.”

“And I would hope … you know, you’ll have to ask my girlfriend if I’m more understanding of a human being,” quipped Harrison, who is currently dating Entertainment Tonight correspondent Lauren Zima. “I think I am.”

Harrison has shared many touching moments with his kids on social media. Last month, the Bachelor franchise host announced that Joshua would be attending Texas Christian University for school.

He also posted photo’s from Taylor’s father-daughter dance in February 2018 and her junior high graduation in May of that same year. Also, to ring in Father’s Day of that year, Harrison shared a photo of the trio sitting together on a hammock at the beach.

“It just doesn’t get any better than this. Grateful that these two made me a dad. Happy Father’s Day to all the loving dads out there,” he captioned the sweet family snap.

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