Rachel Lindsay reacts to Chris Harrison permanently stepping down from Bachelor Nation

Just hours after Bachelor Nation fans learned Chris Harrison is leaving the reality franchise permanently, Rachel Lindsay has responded to the news.

Harrison, 49, came under fire in February after an interview with Rachel Lindsay, the first Black lead of The Bachelorette, and announced he was temporarily stepping away from the franchise, though the move was made permanent on Monday.

Lindsay, who has taken over as host of The Bachelorette with Kaitlyn Bristowe, responded to the news on Tuesday’s episode of Extra, where she works as a correspondent, making it clear she wasn’t expecting him to step away from the show permanently.

Responding: Just hours after Bachelor Nation fans learned Chris Harrison is leaving the reality franchise permanently, Rachel Lindsay has responded to the news

Under fire: Harrison, 49, came under fire in February after an interview with Rachel Lindsay, the first Black lead of The Bachelorette, and announced he was temporarily stepping away from the franchise, though the move was made permanent on Monday

Under fire: Harrison, 49, came under fire in February after an interview with Rachel Lindsay, the first Black lead of The Bachelorette, and announced he was temporarily stepping away from the franchise, though the move was made permanent on Monday

‘I wasn’t expecting for it to happen, not after the announcement,’ Lindsay said during a conversation with host Billy Bush on Tuesday.

She added that she can only ‘speculate’ about his absence shifting from temporary to permanent.

‘I think several past contestants coming forward and saying they didn’t want him to be part of Paradise,’ Lindsay added. 

Not expecting: 'I wasn't expecting for it to happen, not after the announcement,' Lindsay said during a conversation with host Billy Bush on Tuesday

Not expecting: ‘I wasn’t expecting for it to happen, not after the announcement,’ Lindsay said during a conversation with host Billy Bush on Tuesday

Speculate: She added that she can only 'speculate' about his absence shifting from temporary to permanent

Speculate: She added that she can only ‘speculate’ about his absence shifting from temporary to permanent

She added that the current Bachelorette, Katie Thurston, said in her ‘very last tweet’ before filming this season was, ‘that Chris needed to step away.’

‘I think that, coupled with the interview that happened on this very stage, maybe led to him not coming back,’ Lindsay added.

The interview in question that took place at Extra happened in February, where Harrison defended contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, after photos surfaced of her at an antebellum-themed sorority party in 2018.

Interview: 'I think that, coupled with the interview that happened on this very stage, maybe led to him not coming back,' Lindsay added

Interview: ‘I think that, coupled with the interview that happened on this very stage, maybe led to him not coming back,’ Lindsay added

‘Well, it’s been 19 years and if you do watch the show we saw less and less of Chris. 19 years is a big accomplishment. Maybe that’s the case. We don’t know. Maybe they were ready to move on,’ Lindsay added.

Harrison’s exit is said to have come with a massive payout, on the condition he is to remain silent about his departure.

‘I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter,’ Harrison said in a statement.

Payout: Harrison's exit is said to have come with a massive payout, on the condition he is to remain silent about his departure

Payout: Harrison’s exit is said to have come with a massive payout, on the condition he is to remain silent about his departure

‘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.” 

Kaitlyn Bristowe, who co-hosts The Bachelorette with Lindsay, also spoke about Harrison’s exit in an Instagram comment.

‘You are truly irreplaceable as a host, thank you for all the years you put into this show and making it what it its. No one does it quite like Mr. Chris Harrison,’ she said.

Katilyn Talks: Kaitlyn Bristowe, who co-hosts The Bachelorette with Lindsay, also spoke about Harrison's exit in an Instagram comment

Katilyn Talks: Kaitlyn Bristowe, who co-hosts The Bachelorette with Lindsay, also spoke about Harrison’s exit in an Instagram comment

Irreplacable: 'You are truly irreplaceable as a host, thank you for all the years you put into this show and making it what it its. No one does it quite like Mr. Chris Harrison,' she said

Irreplacable: ‘You are truly irreplaceable as a host, thank you for all the years you put into this show and making it what it its. No one does it quite like Mr. Chris Harrison,’ she said