The Bachelor franchise, long known for its romantic drama on-screen, is now facing major turmoil behind the scenes. Reports of a toxic work environment, leadership conflicts, and mass crew departures have surfaced following ABC’s decision to pause The Bachelorette for summer 2025.
It has faced criticism for its lack of racial diversity, and in 2021, longtime host Chris Harrison stepped down after defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s past attendance at an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity formal. In 2017, Bachelor in Paradise had to halt production on Season 4 due to allegations of misconduct on set, and former segment producer Becky Steenhoek later sued producers for sexual harassment.
Its creator, Mike Fleiss, exited in 2023 following an investigation into workplace misconduct allegations, though he has never publicly addressed the situation. Despite these setbacks, the show has continued, attempting to reinvent itself in the wake of Fleiss’ departure.
Following Fleiss’ exit, the franchise appointed Claire Freeland, Bennett Graebner, and Jason Ehrlich as its new leadership team, hoping to usher in a new era for the series. However, controversy remains, as evidenced by the emotional After the Final Rose finale featuring Bachelorette star Jenn Tran. Tran, in tears, was forced to watch footage of her failed engagement to Devin Strader, a decision that former Bachelor star Ben Higgins called “cruel and unnecessary.”
As host Jesse Palmer prepared to air the clip, Tran hesitantly asked, “Do I have a choice?”—but it was clear she didn’t. The decision to broadcast the painful moment was made by Freeland herself, despite protests from producers in the control booth urging her to stop.
Insiders describe the current production environment as “hostile, toxic, and horrible,” with Freeland and fellow EP Bennett Graebner accused of running the franchise through fear and exclusion. Crew members allege that dissent is met with passive-aggressive tactics, secrecy, and an overall lack of communication.
Some longtime producers have been ousted, and new hires reportedly have personal ties to Freeland, raising questions about hiring practices.
Days after news broke that The Bachelorette would skip its summer cycle, staffers faced another shock: On February 12, those assigned to work on the show were informed they wouldn’t be returning to the franchise. The announcement sent ripples through the crew, which typically consists of more than 200 people, though the exact number of those affected remains unclear.
Meanwhile, staff currently working on The Bachelor, including those handling post-season specials, will continue until their responsibilities wrap up—though some may return to the franchise in the future. Bachelor in Paradise, which traditionally operates with a separate crew due to its Mexico-based production, will also see a major overhaul when it begins filming later this year under new showrunner Scott Teti.
However, not everyone sees it this way. Some staffers praise Freeland and Graebner for improving work-life balance and bringing fresh ideas to the franchise. Supporters argue that resistance to change is fueling the backlash, as entrenched crew members struggle to adapt.
With Warner Bros. TV investigating workplace complaints and The Bachelorette on hold, the future of The Bachelor franchise hangs in the balance. While fans continue to tune in for love stories, the real drama may be unfolding off-camera.
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Source: Deadline
Photo Credit: ABC
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