Chris Harrison is opening up about leaving Hollywood for Austin, TX and he has no regrets!
THE BACHELOR – “The Bachelor: The Women Tell All” – Peter’s dramatic and emotional journey is about to come to an end. But first, he must come to grips with Madison turning away from the strong relationship they have developed until the fantasy suites. Will Madison even show up to the rose ceremony? And then it’s a sensational and shocking “The Bachelor: The Women Tell All,” MONDAY, MARCH 2 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)CHRIS HARRISON
Chris Harrison hosted “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” franchise for 19 years, from 2002 until his departure in 2021. He exited the ABC franchise after defending a contestant’s controversial behavior but he’s more than happy with his new life in Austin, Texas.
This Oct. 28, 2012 file photo shows Chris Harrison at the Hamilton “Behind the Camera” Awards at the House of Blues West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
In a chat with People, which was published Monday, Harrison says, “It feels wonderful, and thanks for asking that, because I wasn’t sure it would” when asked how Austin is treating him.
“You know, when you do something every single day for two decades, and it’s so popular around the world, there is 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,” he said.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 25: (L-R) Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima attend the 2024 Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala at ACL Live on April 25, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Amy E. Price/Getty Images)
The transition from Los Angeles was hard for Harrison at first, but the former host has since found his footing thanks to his wife, Lauren Zima, 37, and their new home.
“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,’” he explained. “Then I kind of took a deep breath, and you dropped your shoulders, and I think 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.’ So it has been a wonderful break and relief.”
Zima, a former “Entertainment Tonight” host and producer, and Harrison made the move to Austin in 2020 and tied the knot in November 2023 and haven’t looked back since.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 06: (L-R) Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima attend Kentucky Derby 149 at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)
“I mean, what I love most about the new chapter is the fact that Austin is the new Hollywood, which means the opportunities are plenty here. There is so much tech, music, food, entertainment, and theater. It’s all happening here,” Harrison continued.
“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 added.
Harrison and Zima are working on a project together, but their keeping the details of it on the down low, for right now.
THE BACHELOR – “The Bachelor: The Women Tell All” – Peter’s dramatic and emotional journey is about to come to an end. But first, he must come to grips with Madison turning away from the strong relationship they have developed until the fantasy suites. Will Madison even show up to the rose ceremony? And then it’s a sensational and shocking “The Bachelor: The Women Tell All,” MONDAY, MARCH 2 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)CHRIS HARRISON
“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,” Harrison said.
“And there is a next chapter coming up very soon for both of us that is,” he added. “We’re going to be very excited to talk about.”
Back in February 2021, Harrison came under fire for defending former “Bachelor” contestant Rachel Kirkconnell after photos of her attending an Antebellum-styled party three years prior, which led to him stepping down as the host of the popular franchise.