Mike Fleiss, the creator of the iconic reality series The Bachelor, has announced that he is leaving the franchise after 21 years at the helm.
The producer, who launched the reality TV phenomenon in 2002, will be replaced by three showrunners already affiliated with the franchise: Claire Freeland, Jason Ehrlich and Bennett Graebner, according to Variety.
In a statement obtained by the outlet, Fleiss, 58, congratulated the latest winning couple, Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar, before announcing their departure.
‘First of all, congratulations to Zach and Kaity. I wish you a long and happy life together,’ she said. ‘I want to thank WBTV and ABC for an extraordinary 21 years.
“They have found the perfect creative team to build on ‘The Bachelor’ franchise and keep this lightning in a bottle bold and moving.” Let the journey continue.
‘May the journey continue’: Mike Fleiss, the creator of the iconic reality series The Bachelor, has announced he is leaving the franchise after 21 years at the helm
The three new showrunners replacing Fleiss have experience with The Bachelor and its various spin-offs.
Freeland previously served as showrunner for The Bachelor in Canada, Ehrlich has worked on numerous seasons of The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad, while executive producer Graebner has worked on every show in the franchise for more than 15 years, according to Variety. .
The announcement comes four years after Fleiss was accused of attacking his wife Laura, which he denied. she got a temporary restraining order against him, and they filed for divorce, only to reconcile. The restraining order was also withdrawn.
At the time, Warner Brothers, the studio behind The Bachelor, announced that they were investigating the “serious allegations” against Fleiss. In August 2019, ABC shared that Mike would be continuing the franchise.
“The charges have been dropped and from what we understand and what they told us, the situation was resolved amicably between the parties. So, given that, it doesn’t affect the production of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette in any way that we know of,” ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke said at the time.
Fleiss launched the hit series in 2002 with its first bachelor, Alex Michel, and host Chris Harrison, who stayed with the franchise for years before his departure in 2021 following controversy.
The show evolved over the years with its female-led spinoff, The Bachelorette, which debuted in 2003. Trista Rehn, the first ever Bachelorette lead, recently celebrated 22 years of marriage to her latest pink pick, Ryan Sutter.
The success of the show led to the spin-offs Bachelor Pad, Bachelor Winter Games, and the hugely popular Bachelor In Paradise.
Reality Phenomenon: Since the launch of The Bachelor in 2002, the show has evolved with numerous spin-offs, including the hugely popular Bachelor In Paradise (pictured)
Hit series: The Bachelor has been on the air since 2002
Even early in the pandemic, filming continued at The Bachelorette in Palm Springs with numerous precautions taken to ensure safety.
Fleiss was already working in reality TV before she became synonymous with The Bachelor: she created the Fox show Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?
But not everyone was a fan of Fleiss during her reign.
Former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe claimed that Fleiss prevented her from appearing on Dancing With the Stars after its season aired, and Fleiss even had a falling out with Kelly Ripa.
Fleiss’s announcement comes just one day after The Bachelor season finale, in which Shallcross proposed to ER nurse Biggar.
The finale ended with Shallcross kneeling on a beach in Thailand and asking for Biggar’s hand in marriage.
“We’re engaged!” Kaity yelled as she held up her massive, sparkling engagement ring from jeweler Neil Lane.
Looking for love! Michelle Young, season 18 bachelorette party, with the latest selection of roses from her and her then-fiancée, Nayte Olukoya
She said yes! Fleiss’s announcement comes just one day after The Bachelor season finale, in which Shallcross proposed to ER nurse Biggar.
New York is for lovers! The newly engaged couple was spotted on Good Morning America on Tuesday after their finale aired.