Who is the original host of "The Bachelorette"?

Chris Harrison was the original host of The Bachelorette. ABC launched the dating-show spin-off on January 8, 2003, after Harrison had already become familiar to viewers as the host of The Bachelor.

The first season featured Trista Rehn, who had been a runner-up on the inaugural season of The Bachelor. Harrison guided the contestants through dates, rose ceremonies, hometown visits, and the final proposal, establishing the presenter’s familiar role in the Bachelor franchise.

Harrison hosted The Bachelorette for many years and also presented other franchise programs, including Bachelor in Paradise and Bachelor Pad. He left the franchise in 2021. Later hosts included former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe, followed by Jesse Palmer.

A common mix-up is to confuse the show’s host with its lead. Trista Rehn was the first Bachelorette, but Chris Harrison was the original presenter. The distinction matters because the question asks who hosted the program, not who starred as its first lead.