Chris Harrison lands ‘$9MILLION payout from ABC’ for leaving the Bachelor franchise … after demanding $25MILLION to keep quiet about behind the scenes secrets
Chris Harrison scored a hefty payout from ABC to leave Bachelor Nation but not nearly as much as he originally demanded.
The 49-year-old longtime host of The Bachelor reportedly received $9million from the network – far less than the $25million he originally demanded – Variety reported on Friday.
Harrison was axed from the network after he came under fire in February for making racially insensitive comments during an interview with Bachelorette-alum Rachel Lindsay.
Leaving quietly: Chris Harrison reportedly received $9million from the network – far less than the $25million he originally demanded – Variety reported on Friday
Despite the unceremonious ending to his long tenure as the face of Bachelor Nation, Harrison isn’t leaving the gig empty handed.
According to Variety, he received a $9million payout in addition to some ‘remaining contractual fees, which brought his total exit package to roughly $10 million.’
The outlet added that the severance is roughly equivalent to two years of work as it is believed that he took home about $5million a year.
His departure was not easy, sources said, adding that ‘the veteran host deeply cared about Bachelor Nation and loved his job.’
Money: According to Variety, he received a $9million payout in addition to some ‘remaining contractual fees, which brought his total exit package to roughly $10 million’
Chris even had planned to return to the series when the dust settled and insiders said that when things went down he wasn’t aware ‘just how problematic’ his comments during the Extra interview with Lindsay had become.
That is not to say that once he saw the writing on the wall, he was ready to go quietly – on the contrary, Harrison tried to play hardball with ABC and wheedle out an enormous payout.
Harrison allegedly demanded $25million to leave The Bachelor franchise – or else he would air 19 years of behind-the-scenes secrets in a slew of lawsuits against the its producers and executives.
Sources familiar with negotiations surrounding Harrison’s abrupt exit on Tuesday said ABC Studios had hoped the 49-year-old would leave ‘quickly and quietly’ amid backlash over comments he made defending a contestant who appeared in pictures at a plantation-themed fraternity party.
Donezo: Harrison was axed from the network after he came under fire in February for making racially insensitive comments during an interview with Bachelorette-alum Rachel Lindsay
Instead, Harrison fought back.
‘He has nearly 20 years of dirt,’ an insider told Page Six. ‘Instead of handing them a rose, he was absolutely ready to hand them a lawsuit detailing all the behind-the-scenes details.
‘He knows a lot about inappropriate behavior on set: fights between contestants, misbehavior including [the] use of illegal substances while overseas and complaints from producers that were allegedly brushed under the carpet by ABC execs.’
‘He was ready to tell the truth about how things really work over there, and he had plenty of evidence to back him up,’ the source continued.
‘Chris Harrison’s whole life was The Bachelor and he did not want to let go.
What he wanted; Harrison allegedly demanded $25million to leave The Bachelor franchise – or else he would air 19 years of behind-the-scenes secrets in a slew of lawsuits against the its producers and executives
‘He still is really sad to leave, and there have been very tough and very heated negotiations going on for weeks.’
Harrison – who served as the host of The Bachelor and its spinoffs, The Bachelorette and The Bachelor in Paradise, since 2002 – wrote a goodbye post on his Instagram page when news first broke that he wasn’t returning.
‘I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter,’ he wrote. ‘I’m so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we’ve made together.’
‘While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime.’
On camera: Harrison served as the host of The Bachelor and its spinoffs, The Bachelorette and The Bachelor in Paradise since 2002 (Matt and Pieper pictured in season 25)
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