Throughout an look on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, the 37-year-old actuality star opened up concerning the pressure that allegedly arose between them after she was requested to host season 17 of “The Bachelorette” following Harrison’s exit.

“They provided me the place to come back in and what the ‘Bachelor’ franchise mentioned was to mentor Katie [Thurston],” Bristowe recalled. “[They said] I would not be changing Chris. Then all these articles began popping out, saying, ‘Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe changing Chris Harrison.’ And so I messaged Chris in all probability about 10 instances with out him responding. I simply need him to know that I believed he was irreplaceable and I did not need to step on toes.”

Although the “Dancing With The Stars” alum “didn’t know” the extent of her function on the time, Kaitlyn mentioned tabloid articles and rumors she can be changing the longstanding host made her “really feel icky” about her new gig. His lack of response additionally left her considering, “Okay, he hates me. We have been greatest pals and now he hates me.”

She mentioned she additionally had an ungainly bumped into the 51-year-old at Wells Adams and Sarah Hyland’s wedding ceremony again in August 2022.

“After which I noticed him at Wells and Sarah’s wedding ceremony and I walked him to him and I used to be like, ‘I miss you,’ and he was like, ‘Properly I’ve all the time been right here.’ … So yeah, that was powerful.”

‘Harrison’s departure from the “Bachelor” franchise was set in movement after he didn’t denounce Rachael Kirkconnell’s attendance at an “Outdated South” antebellum social gathering in faculty from 2018. Kirkconnell ultimately turned the winner of Matt James’ season — the first-ever Black “Bachelor” lead.

As an alternative of condemning her attendance whereas chatting with the first-ever Black “Bachelorette” lead, Rachel Lindsay, on “Further,” Harrison mentioned, “Properly, Rachel, is it a very good look in 2018, or is it not a very good look in 2021? As a result of there is a large distinction.”

To this, Lindsay responded, “It is not a very good look, ever.” His protection led to him completely stepping down from the function, with former “Bachelor” Jesse Palmer ultimately changing into the brand new everlasting host.

Bristowe mentioned she reached out to each Rachel and Chris following the interview.

“When this all went down, I reached out to Rachel and I reached out to Chris and I mentioned, ‘What you probably did was improper and you understand that. I perceive there’s a lot extra to it however what would you like me to do to assist you whereas additionally standing up for what I consider in,'” she defined. “Then he known as and we talked and he mentioned he did not need anybody to essentially get entangled. [He said,] ‘It is exhausting and I perceive that it’s a must to like, say what you’ll want to say.'”

The snag of their relationship triggered her to “[bawl] my eyes out,” saying their bond “simply felt prefer it went down the bathroom.”

Whereas the standing of their friendship could also be upsetting, Kaitlyn mentioned she’s making an attempt to not take it personally. “I do not suppose it was really about me if I can take away my ego. I feel he was going via a lot in his life. He misplaced 20 lbs. He was depressed,” she admitted, noting that Harrison was “in all probability actually crushed” about his exit after wanting to depart his 20 yr gig “out on prime.”

Harrison himself simply opened up about his exit for the primary time on a podcast of his personal — see what he needed to say about every part right here.