Chris Harrison Dishes on The Bachelor Ben Higgins
Have you ever thought “I could do that?” when you watch a reality TV show? I am sure it’s a thought that has at least crossed your mind once while watching one of your favorite shows. Something that Chris Harrison, host of The Bachelor, said in a recent interview really resonated with me in this regard, “The best way to go through with this is to really just wear your heart on your sleeve and give yourself up to the process.” Could you do it?
The Bachelor
This season’s Bachelor is no stranger to the premise of the show. Ben Higgins, from Warsaw, Indiana, was sent home by Kaitlyn Bristowe on last season’s The Bachelorette. Therefore, we already know a bit about him, his faith and his admiration for previous Bachelor, Sean Lowe. This year, Ben will have his chance to call the shots during the milestone 20th season of ABC’s “The Bachelor” premiering tonight, January 4, 2016.
First, the facts about Ben:
Ben grew up in the Indiana town of Warsaw in America’s heartland. While Ben currently resides in Denver, Colorado, his heart will always be in Indiana with his family. Ben is the only son of loving, married parents David and Amy, a union that has been going strong for thirty-four years. He wants nothing more than to find the kind of love that his parents have. And he’s ready. While only 26, Ben is wise beyond his years. An avid traveler and a champion of varied cultures, he has worked at a zoo in Peru, traveled through the jungles of Bolivia, and even hiked the spiritual trails of famed Machu Picchu.
But let’s talk about what Chris Harrison had to say about him! Mr. Harrison has been hosting the hit romance reality show since 2001. He has definitely seen and heard a lot over the years and gave us quite a bit to think about when it came to Ben. In fact, one of his first reactions when we asked about Ben was simply, “Luckily, I think we hit a home run with this guy.” From everything I gathered during our brunch with Chris Harrison, it sounds like season 20 is definitely one to watch! Let’s learn more.
Interestingly enough, Chris did mention that most of the drama this season is actually “Ben-induced” simply because of the type of character that he is — very open. Ben told Kaitlyn that he felt he was “unlovable” and it seems some of that will play into his own quest for love. It proves that even though someone may look like they have it all together, they may have things going on inside that we don’t see. But Ben is about to open himself up to the world once the show kicks off tonight!
Harrison compared Ben to Sean a few times during the interview mentioning the similarities between the two: “I think Ben’s the same type of guy, how sincere and humble and faith based [he is]. He really just gave himself up to us and said, ‘Go! I trust you guys. You’re good at what you do. Take care of it.’ And it’s scary when you have someone’s life in your hands.” I would have to agree — on both sides. Hats off to Ben for being vulnerable and giving it up in order to do what had to be done on the show. In Harrison’s words once again, “It’s a dramatic season but I think in a very different way than what we’re gonna be used to.”
“If you put somebody in an extraordinary situation, you can’t fake your way through that. If you’re about to fall off a bridge and you’re scared to death, literally scared to death, all of a sudden, you’re not faking it. You’re not thinking about ‘how do I look on TV?’ All you think about is, ‘Am I wetting myself?” And so [with] Ben, there’s kind of a twofold. ‘How is Ben taking care of me? Is he taking care of me? Does he make me feel safe? Does he protect me or is he just worried about himself right now? Or is he worried about the cameras?’ So all these things that you think are very superficial and surface, there’s a reason for it and it goes much deeper than that falling off a bridge or whatever. And it’s interesting to me the psychology behind it and watching us force these issues and what the conclusion is… And then how it comes to a definite end.”
Powerful way to look at it all, right?! Well, get ready because The Bachelor takes that next leap tonight on ABC at 8pm EST.
Episode 2001
One by one, the gorgeous bachelorettes are prepared to make a lasting first impression. The stakes are high as the long, stressful first night winds down and it’s time for the first rose ceremony of the season. Twenty-one lucky women will continue their journey to win Ben’s heart, as this highly anticipated 20th season of ABC’s hit romance reality series, “The Bachelor,” premieres on Monday, January 4 (8:00-10:01 pm EST), on the ABC Television Network.