When Chris Harrison attended
Now, however, he’s enjoying success as the host of ABC’s hit show, “The Bachelor,” and the network’s new show, “The Bachelorette,” which premiers this month. He also balances other projects, including stints in sports broadcasting and as host of HGTV’s show, “Designer’s Challenge.”
Graduating from LHHS in 1989,
“To be honest, the only aspirations I had in high school were playing soccer and hanging out with my buddies. I did a pretty good job at both,” he says.
His high school soccer success led to a scholarship at
His future took a different turn, however, when he landed a job as host of a horse racing show in
The show’s wild success, not to mention its subject matter, are something entirely new for
“I know [the show] seems like a departure and it is in some respects, but what they wanted was a down-to-earth family man that could host but also come across as the guy next door.”
“The rose ceremonies are the most uncomfortable situations for me,”
“Luckily, she just gave that scary ‘I’m going to boil your bunny’ look to Aaron and went home,” he jokes. “Seriously though, it’s a great study in human behavior. After the girls are rejected and leave, I have the choice to go see them and say goodbye. If I have had a chance to get to know them a little, I usually say something to them. The best part is I always get to play the nice guy.”
The show’s popularity surged last season, even beating “The West Wing” in the Nielsen rating’s with its final episode. It also achieved what some might call the ultimate in pop culture: a parody on a Saturday Night Live episode.
“I loved it,”
Family and friends similarly enjoy
“At first you think, ‘I cannot believe I’m watching this show.’ But then you really get caught up in it. We have great discussions after each episode is over,” she says. “We have so much fun with it!”
More than his professional success, however, his mother takes pride in his character. “I’m most proud that he gets up every day and works hard at whatever he does. He has a precious son and a beautiful wife, and I’m proud that those things are important to him.”
Harrison has several more career goals, including becoming host to a version of a “Regis and Kelly Show” or a morning network news. But for now, he will join a third season of “The Bachelor” and is looking forward to “The Bachelorette” premier.
“The show has really taken on a life of its own, and I am extremely happy to be a part of it,”