Chris Harrison can deliver “The Bachelor” a bombastic legal statement instead of a rose.
Harrison hired attorney Bryan Freedman, the same attorney who represented Gabrielle Union in his recent dispute with “America’s Got Talent” on NBC, Page Six knew exclusively.
So far it is unclear what lawsuits are being pursued, if any. But a friend of Harrison’s told us on Friday about the move: “Chris has had an impeccable track record for 20 years … He has always been a good man at the company, but after the way he has been treated by producers and executives in the past two weeks, he has no cheeks to turn. “
The friend added: “Now he is ready to tell the truth about how things really work there – and he has a lot of evidence to support him.”
Freedman represented Union in her dispute with “AGT” last year after she complained about racism and a “toxic environment” at the talent show and was dismissed as a judge. The case was closed in September. In June, Freedman had filed a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing on behalf of Union, after NBC ended its own investigation.
Harrison, 49, would certainly know where the bodies in the Bachelor franchise are buried. He performed all 25 seasons of “The Bachelor”, as well as all 16 seasons of “The Bachelorette,” before departing from the show amid controversy last month.
He left after an uproar when he defended competitor Rachael Kirkconnell in an ill-fated interview with Rachel Lindsay, who had been the franchise’s first black Bachelorette. Photos emerged of Kirkconnell, 24, attending a plantation-themed party in 2018 as a student, and she was also accused of having “liked” online posts insensitive to the race. Harrison said that fans should offer Kirkconnell “a little grace, a little understanding”.
He later apologized and said of the interview: “By excusing historical racism, I defended it. I invoked the term ‘policeman awake’, which is unacceptable. I’m ashamed of how uninformed I was. I was wrong.”
He also said in a statement: “I consulted Warner Bros. and ABC and I will be away for a period of time and I will not be participating in the ‘After the Final Rose’ special.”
He did not specify how long his departure would be, but “The Bachelorette” announced last week that Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams will co-host the show’s next season. “The Bachelor” ended its last season this week, reaching a high rating, but fell short of last season’s final numbers.
After Harrison’s comments to Lindsay about Kirkconnell, the female contestants of the 25th season of “The Bachelor” released a statement saying, “We are deeply disappointed and want to make it clear that we denounce any defense of racism.”
But this week, Matt James, the first black bachelor, expressed hope that Harrison could eventually return.
“I don’t think anyone should try to cancel it,” James told Bill Simmons. “We should ask him to do that job that he outlined and wants to do. He is taking a step back and has pledged to do so. I look forward to seeing you doing this. “
Freedman also represented former Grammy chief Deborah Dugan in her recent explosive dispute with the Recording Academy.