BACHELOR host Chris Harrison will “no longer cooperate” with execs as he “hires” a Hollywood power attorney following the show’s racism scandal.
After the longtime face of the franchise was replaced as host for next season on The Bachelorette, things have only gone from “bad to worse” for him, an insider exclusively told The Celeb Report.
According to the informant, Chris, 49, was initially included in conversations about how the show will proceed while battling its ongoing racism problems.
However, after The Celeb Report previously reported the host had been “iced out” of crisis talks, the reality star allegedly became “more pushy with producers trying to find out his fate.”
The source explained: “Since announcing he won’t be hosting the Bachelorette, his behavior has changed so much more.
“He’s become distant and calculating and doesn’t seem to want to cooperate anymore.
“Now there’s word he has his own attorney which has rubbed everyone on production the wrong way. He went from being defense to offense and he’s digging his own grave, really.”
Chris has “not officially threatened legal action against the show yet,” according to the insider.
But he is currently “exploring his options” to see if that’s an option and “if he can, he will,” they added.
The insider claimed that Chris’ chances of coming back “were slim” but “it could have been possible.”
However, if he “continues his latest antics against the show? Not so much.”
Yesterday, Page Six first reported that the Bachelor star hired power Hollywood attorney Bryan Freedman – who also recently defended Gabrielle Union with her “racism” claims against America’s Got Talent.
An insider told the outlet: “Chris has had a spotless record for 20 years.
“He has always been the good company man, but, after the way he’s been treated by producers and executives over the past couple of weeks, he’s run out of cheeks to turn.
“Now he’s ready to tell the truth about how things really work over there — and he has plenty of evidence to back him up.”
Bryan – who has been a high-profile attorney in the entertainment industry for the past 30 years – did not immediately respond to The Celeb Report’s request for comment.
Chris has been the beating heart of The Bachelor for 25 seasons and The Bachelorette for 16 – before taking his indefinite leave from the franchise last month.
He stepped away after receiving mass backlash when he was accused of “perpetuating racism” by defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell – who was caught attending an Antebellum party in 2018.
Fans were shocked when the show revealed NFL star Emmanuel Acho will host Matt James‘ After The Final Rose special – marking it the first time ever Chris did not officiate the evening.
A couple weeks later, it was announced Chris will be also replaced by former leads Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe on next season’s The Bachelorette.
An insider close to the show explained to The Celeb Report that the former face of the franchise must be “mortified” he isn’t coming back.
“He pushed very hard with execs at the network. He was persistent for weeks, checking in and promising to do whatever it took to keep the job.
“I don’t think he ever thought there would be a world without him as host. He really believed he would be asked to come back.
“And he never in a million years thought they would do a season without him. He was devastated by the decision but has been tried staying gracious.
“He’s optimistic his future with the show is not completely over,” the informant spilled.
